Chiropractic Specialists: Learn More About The Different Career Paths
When it comes to becoming a chiropractor, you have an important decision to make: What type of chiropractor do you want to become? Choosing the right path for you starts with learning about the different options you have.
General Practice Chiropractors
Chiropractic is often referred to as one of the safest and most effective alternatives to traditional allopathic medicine for the treatment of joint pain, back pain, and even headaches. It’s non-invasive nature and relatively low cost compared to major surgeries make it a popular choice for treatment. The majority of all practicing chiropractors (83.9%) focus on general care, including treating problems with the neuromusculoskeletal system through adjustments and clinical interventions.
Becoming a chiropractor can be completed in just over three years at Northeast College of Health Sciences, where you will get real, hands-on experience to help jumpstart your career. If you choose to become a general-practice chiropractor, there are many paths you can choose post-graduation, including teaching, residency, working in hospitals, or opening a private practice. General Chiropractors in New York State earn an average salary of $160,974, and with the job growth projected to be 4% by 2029, choosing to become a general-practice chiropractor could be the right path for you.
Occupational Health Chiropractors
If choosing to pursue occupational health as a chiropractor, your day-to-day may differ from a general-practice chiropractor. Your focus will be on the prevention and treatment of occupational injury. You will also monitor the health status of workers and worksite analysis. In addition to on-site chiropractic services for small businesses, you might also provide consultation services for ergonomic needs, or nutritional and lifestyle inquires.
Pediatric Chiropractor
Specializing in pediatrics when a chiropractor is quite common, with 38.8% of all practicing chiropractors providing some form of pediatric care. Pediatric work as a chiropractor is typically non-musculoskeletal in nature, and can be used as a treatment or preventative. Pediatric chiropractors often work with children who have ailments of the spine or joints, or those who have experienced sports injury, and work in many of the same facilities as general practice chiropractors.
Physical Therapists Vs. Chiropractors
When considering different chiropractic types, it's also important to note the differences between other healthcare industry specialties like physical therapy. The major difference between the two is the focus. Physical therapy is focused primarily on joint function and creating exercises for the healing of those joints. Chiropractors are more focused on treating the whole person through neuromusculoskeletal health, diet and nutrition, exercise, and stress management. For more information on these two career paths, check this out.
With so many different paths to take and specialties to choose from, including geriatrics, athletic performance, women's health and more, it might seem like a difficult decision to make. . The good news is that at Northeast, our Doctor of Chiropractic program offers specialty courses to help you become a well-rounded chiropractor. If you are interested in learning more about our program, visit our Doctor of Chiropractic program page or contact us today.
Sources:
https://www.nycc.edu/programs/college-of-chiropractic/doctor-of-chiropractic
https://www.nycc.edu/learn/chiropractic-vs-physical-therapy-whats-the-difference
https://denversouthchiro.com/blog/two-types-chiropractors-denver/
https://mckinleychiro.com/archives/2408
https://www.circleofdocs.com/the-two-types-of-chiropractors/
https: //www.acatoday.org/patients
https://mynbce.org/practice-analysis-of-chiropractic-2020/
https://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=39389
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2794701/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/349085
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm#tab-6
https://www.truity.com/career-profile/chiropractor#:~:text=Chiropractors%20care%20for%20patients%20with,as%20back%20and%20neck%20pain.