Chiropractic approaches health by relying on the body’s natural healing ability. We believe that the relationship between the spine and nervous system contribute to many disease processes. Doctors of chiropractic are physicians who see the body as a whole and give special attention to: spinal mechanics, musculoskeletal, vascular, neurological, and nutritional connections.
A chiropractic physician is considered a primary health care provider and also a portal of entry to the health care system. Chiropractic physicians appreciate the demand for intervention with doctors in a different specialty, when needed. If a patient’s condition needs an allopathic physician then a referral is made.
Chiropractic physicians must pass four national board exams and a physical therapy exam in order to be eligible to sit for state board examinations. Training between doctors of chiropractic and medical doctors are very similar in regards to basic science course work. Where the training differs is with chiropractors having nutritional classes and spinal adjusting whereas medical doctors have pharmacology.
| Chiropractic Class Hours |
Subject | Medical Class Hours |
| 520 | Anatomy-Embryology | 508 |
| 420 | Physiology | 326 |
| 271 | Pathology-Geriatrics-Pediatrics | 335 |
| 300 | Chemistry | 325 |
| 114 | Microbiology/Bacteriology | 130 |
| 370 | Diagnosis | 374 |
| 320 | Neurology | 112 |
| 217 | Radiology | 148 |
| 65 | Psychology/Psychiatry | 144 |
| 65 | Obstetrics-Gynecology | 198 |
| 225 | Orthopedics | 156 |
| 2,887 | TOTAL HOURS | 2,756 |
| 1,598 | Specialty Courses | 1,492 |
| 4,485 | Total Class Hours | 4,248 |
NOTE: Adapted from: Chapman-Smith, D. The Chiropractic Profession. NCMIC Group Inc. 2000.
