Chiropractors may:

Analyze a patient's condition by questioning the patient and using physical examination, X-rays, and laboratory tests to locate the source of patients' difficulties and to rule out fractures or diseases as sources of problems

Maintain accurate case histories of patients

Advise the patient of the course of treatment to be followed

Perform a series of spinal adjustments using hand and finger manipulation

Evaluate the functioning of the neuromeuscularskletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis

Obtain and record patients' medical histories

Treat patients using such measures as exercise, water, heat, and light therapy

Recommend diets and good sleeping and resting habits

Refer patients requiring drugs or surgery to other health care specialists

Keep accurate case history records of all patients

Most Chiropractors set up their own practices. However, several Chiropractors may form a group practice in a clinic or hospital setting. Some Chiropractors occasionally provide treatment at patients' homes. Many employ a nurse or assistant to help them perform their work.

Chiropractors generally work in comfortable, well lighted, and well ventilated clinics or offices. Possible hazards of this occupation involve the effects of x-ray equipment when improperly used and the risk of contagious diseases or infection.

According to a recent survey, the median hours worked by Chiropractors per week were 31-35 for in patient care. Office hours may include evenings and Saturdays. Many Chiropractors are required to work long hours to serve their patients properly.

Chiropractors who have their own practice must purchase expensive equipment and pay their own expenses.

Chiropractors may belong to the American Chiropractic Association or the International Chiropractors Association and may be required to pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Doing scientific and technical work

• Having direct personal contact to help people

• Performing activities which result in appreciation from others

You Should Be Able To:

• Use logical step-by-step procedures

• Perform detailed work

• Communicate effectively

• Rate information using judgment and measurable standards

• Make decisions under pressure

• Visualize X-rays of bones/organs as having height, depth, and width

• See detail in object/drawing/recognize difference in shape/shading

• Direct an entire activity or the actions of others

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

What is the actual volume of a person if they are placed in a large cylinder of water with a radius of 2 meters if the water level raises 1 meter?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Scoliosis is a progressive abnormal curvature of the spine, occurring either in the thoracic or the lumbar spine.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to give a patient a written diagnosis of the problem they have.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best possible cure for a persons back problem.

NOTE: Education and training for Chiropractors consists of two years of Pre-professional study in an approved College or University prior to admission to a Chiropractic College. You must them complete a Four-year program, including both classroom and supervised clinical study. Continuing education beyond graduation as a Doctor of Chiropractic is mandatory in Michigan and the majority of States. At present there are not four-year postsecondary programs available in the state of Michigan for Chiropractic studies.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

031   CHIROPRACTIC ( PRE-PROFESSIONAL)

Pre-Chiropractic programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to chiropractic colleges. (There are no chiropractic colleges in Michigan.) Few chiropractic colleges require prescribed programs for admission. Many Pre-Chiropractic students elect a major in biology (see program #21), chemistry (see program #29), or physics (see program #137), but other programs are also selected.

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to a chiropractic college. Prospective students should contact the chiropractic college of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.

Courses vary from school to school and between major concentrations but may include:

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.

Since Chiropractors are highly skilled professionals, there are few opportunities to explore this field. Part-time or summer work as a helper at a chiropractic clinic may be available. Postsecondary programs may offer some opportunities for experience as well.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadow experiences

touring a local Chiropractor employer

internships

volunteer work with a Chiropractor employer

community service work with an agency

Earnings for Chiropractors who have established a practice generally depend on the number of years in practice. Other factors affecting earnings are individual initiative, professional ability, and location of practice or employer. Some Chiropractors may work for other Chiropractors on a contract basis. Chiropractors leaving a group practice and starting their own may experience a drop in earnings until they establish a clientele.

Nationally, according to a survey issued by Chiropractic Economics, Chiropractors earned a mean salary of $94,454 in mid 2009.  Earnings of Chiropractors in Michigan are comparable to earnings paid nationally.

Solo Practitioners must buy their own benefit plans for retirement and insurance. Most salaried Chiropractors receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers.

Advancement may be in the form of establishing a private practice or advancing from instructor to professor or administrator in a chiropractic college.

Nationally, there were about 52,700 Chiropractors employed in 2006. Employment is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. Some states are raising the educational requirements for Chiropractors, making opportunities best for those with extensive formal training. Most Chiropractors provide care in an office setting while others work in an educational environment.  Some Chiropractors become Instructors at a Chiropractic College.

Demand for Chiropractors is related to the ability of patients to pay for services, either directly or indirectly. The median number of patient visits to Chiropractors' offices increased during the past decade. Nationally, the health care sector is experiencing a growth trend which will create plenty of job opportunities for health professionals.  As the demand for comprehensive health care service increases, Chiropractors should see a surge in employment opportunities available in integrated health care facilities, such as physical therapy offices or general medicine facilities. 

There were approximately 2,350 Chiropractors licensed in Michigan in mid 2009.  Many will find an increase in employment opportunities in the rural areas where there is a growing demand for chiropractic services. Most Chiropractors worked in chiropractic offices in private practice or as salaried assistants to established Chiropractors. Others worked in hospitals, clinics, and other institutions. According to a recent survey published by Chiropractor Economics, 16.4 percent of all Chiropractors were women.

Employment of Chiropractors in Michigan is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. An average of 50 annual openings is expected with 30 due to growth and 20 due to replacement of those who retire, die or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Factors contributing to the increase of Chiropractors are a growing and aging population, greater demand for health care services from a society which is becoming more health conscious, insurance coverage for chiropractic services, and an increase in the number of referrals from industrial and insurance companies in cases involving back and whiplash injuries. Recently, some health insurance companies have limited the number of visits and/or dollar amounts allowed for chiropractic services in a given period of time. This may adversely impact job growth. Chiropractors who practice specialized care such as family or sports rehabilitation will see the most growth in employment opportunities.