When you feel that calling to be involved in patient care, it’s wise to remember how a chiropractic college can deliver the type of career you want. You’ll have more time with patients, first recommending natural treatments rather than pharmaceutical ones, and having the work/life balance you seek. Attending chiropractic college for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree can help you achieve those goals.
To know for sure when a chiropractic college is for you, you must have an up-to-date understanding of the chiropractic profession.
Doctors of Chiropractic Are Physician-level Providers
Chiropractors are designated as physician-level providers in most U.S. states, plus Puerto Rico and by the U.S. Medicare program.
Essential chiropractic treatments are available in federal health delivery systems, including Medicaid, the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Federal Workers’ Compensation, and all state workers’ compensation programs.
Make a Difference in the Community You Serve
Like being a medical doctor (M.D.), physician assistant (P.A.), nurse practitioner, nurse, doctors of chiropractic are among those careers that can make a difference in the lives of others every day.
With chiropractic, you’ll likely see positive results in your patient’s conditions after one session. The chiropractic approach to health includes
One of the more appealing things about becoming a chiropractor is the potential for owning your business. Although some chiropractors will join a group practice, more than 50% of those who graduate from chiropractic college become sole or co-owners of a chiropractic business. Many of those chiropractors serve smaller communities and rural areas.
As a result, chiropractors can end nearly every day with a level of satisfaction many healthcare careers can’t deliver.
Chiropractic is Part of Today’s Healthcare Landscape
Chiropractic care continues to grow to meet demand. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the profession’s growth rate is expected to be 4% from 2019 through 2029.
Today, there’s a move to an integrative, collaborative approach to healthcare; one that calls all healthcare professions to contribute within their specialty area.
This trend encourages medical doctors and other specialists to refer patients to doctors of chiropractic regarding musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, or diseases. When medical conditions indicate it, chiropractors refer patients to or consult with other healthcare practitioners.
Meeting Changing Healthcare Expectations
The aging U.S. population will almost double by 2060, increasing to 95 million. Senior adults increasingly want to stay active and live independently, and they often encounter low-back pain and joint problems as they age. Chiropractic treatments help them live more comfortably and continue doing the activities they want to do.
Another benefit of attending chiropractic college is to be part of the answer to the ongoing opioid crisis. The American College of Physicians and the Journal of American Medical Association issued new recommendations that those suffering from musculoskeletal pain should first consider safer alternative treatments, including chiropractic treatments.
Professional Options for Chiropractic
The wide range of possibilities in chiropractic practice allows for specialization. While most chiropractors choose to offer care in family practice, chiropractic specialty areas include:
What You Can Expect After Chiropractic College
Compensation for chiropractors depends on many factors, including the range of treatment services, the ability to grow through referrals, and individual initiative.
Chiropractors with years in an established practice can earn a salary ranging to $153,047, according to the data site Salary.com. Compensation often includes bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing.
Profession-wide, the unemployment rate for chiropractors is .03%, ranking it among the most secure career choices.
The Chiropractic College at Cleveland University-Kansas City
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nearly 100-year-old, nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of the Kansas City metro.
Today, CUKC is the only chiropractic university still guided by the founding family. More than 11,000 chiropractors in the U.S earned their chiropractic degrees from our College of Chiropractic.
All wise decisions about a career depend on accurate information. To learn more about becoming a chiropractor, get more information here. For a comprehensive look at the chiropractic profession and choosing a chiropractic college, request a new, free eBook, Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.
