Chiropractor

The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in chiropractor roles:

• Evaluate new patient needs by performing x-rays and ultrasounds, taking medical histories, and discussing concerns and problems
• Perform a series of adjustments to a patient’s spine through the use of pressure to alleviate chronic back or neck pain
• Refer patients to other medical professionals when needed for issues that cannot be resolved

A Day in the Life

Chiropractors help patients with chronic back and neck pain without turning to medicine or surgery. Instead, chiropractors use the techniques of neuromusculoskeletal therapy to alleviate pain: applying pressure to different areas of the back to move bones and joints into place, alleviating the pressure on pinched nerves, performing massages to relax tensed muscles, and applying hot/cold therapy products. The result of their efforts is alleviated pain for patients who are able to resume their normal activities.

When a chiropractor receives a new patient, he/she conducts a thorough investigation of the problems being reported. The chiropractor may take x-rays or ultrasounds to diagnose problem areas, takes a full medical history to learn more about the types of treatments a patient has already received, and conducts a long discussion with the patient to determine the exact issues a patient is experiencing and how those issues are affecting the patient’s quality of life.

In cases where the chiropractor is unable to help with a patient’s pain, he/she may refer the patient to another provider. Of the patients a chiropractor sees, appointments may be frequent, seeing the same client multiple times a week. The chiropractor may also prescribe the patient different devices designed to keep their body in its proper shape between visits, such as back braces or shoe inserts. These devices help patients improve their postures and avoid recurring episodes of pain resulting from poor posture.

Typical Work Schedule

Most chiropractors work full-time schedules, though part-time schedules may be common as well. For the most part, they work normal business hours, though they may work evenings and weekends to accommodate patient work schedules.

Projected Job Growth

An increased interest in alternative medicine is expected to result in significantly higher demand for chiropractors in the coming decade as more individuals seek to resolve their medical problems without resorting to prescription medication or surgery.

Typical Employers

Most chiropractors work in private practices—either ones they own themselves or group practices owned by multiple chiropractors. Some may also be employed by hospitals.