A well-known quote goes, “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Funny, yes, and true. Everyone wants to maintain health for as long as possible…and low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal condition worldwide. Two-thirds of the U.S. population will encounter low-back pain. When your healthcare goal is to lead people to a healthier life, the Doctor of Chiropractic degree offers a way to do that.
When you become a doctor of chiropractic, you’re a specialist whose goal is preserving, restoring, and optimizing health. The practice of chiropractic emphasizes the body’s ability to heal without drugs or surgery by focusing on the proper relationship between the body’s structures and its nervous system.
The more you know about chiropractic, the more attractive it becomes. Misconceptions about chiropractors are still out there, but here are four fast facts about the profession that are helpful when choosing a healthcare career:
It turns out that right now is the right time to join the chiropractic profession – the third largest doctoral-level healthcare profession.
1. Growing evidence of effectiveness
Patients have long accepted chiropractic care, and now there’s evidence-based research to show why.
Over the past decade, no fewer than four major medical journals have acknowledged the benefits of turning first to chiropractic treatments and conservative care options: the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Spine, Annals of Internal Medicine, and the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Since 2017, the American College of Physicians (ACP) changed its clinical recommendations, advocating first choosing conservative, non-invasive treatments, including spinal adjustments.
2. Emergence of integrative healthcare
Chiropractors are at the forefront of the move toward integrative care. The profession’s collaborative, whole-person approach fits naturally into the desire for the most accurate diagnosis and targeted care options. Chiropractors regularly coordinate care with M.D.s, occupational health practitioners, physical therapists, and sports medicine specialists.
3. Chiropractic care for veterans
Chiropractic care has increasingly been available at Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics, allowing U.S. Armed Forces veterans to seek a chiropractic physician’s non-drug approach to pain relief.
4. Medical plans include chiropractic care
More than 90% of U.S. medical plans include chiropractic care, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).
Coverage is also provided by workers’ compensation, Medicare, some Medicaid plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for federal employees.
5. Chiropractic offers specialty options
You also have options for providing specialized care. So, while most choose to provide care in a solo or group family practice, there are specialty areas:
More than half of all chiropractors choose to start a practice or join one, and practices are found in cities, small towns, and rural areas.
Whether you are someone who prefers country life or a city location, you’ll find a chiropractic degree that can deliver the freedom and flexibility that many people only dream about. Imagine the joy of setting your hours of service and controlling all aspects of your practice.
Of course, salaries will vary, with higher incomes naturally requiring outreach efforts to gain new patients. The data site Salary.com reports that chiropractors often earn $100,000 or more, which typically includes bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sees a 10% growth rate from 2021 through 2031.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, healthcare-focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of the Kansas City metro. Most students earn their Doctor of Chiropractic degree (D.C.) in 3.3 years through a year-round, trimester schedule.
Points of distinction for the CUKC chiropractic degree include:
There’s much to know about earning a chiropractic degree. You’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in this FAQ blog.
Learn more by requesting more information here, and click this link to download a free eBook: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.