Choosing a Career: Chiropractor

Chiropractor Chiropractors work with patients to diagnose and treat problems with the spine, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems to help other body systems work properly. They believe that the spine is the start of everything and most body pain begin with the skeletal imbalance of the spine. Chiropractors are also referred to as chiropractic physicians or doctors of chiropractic and may specialize in areas such as pediatrics, sports injuries, orthopedics, and neurology. Many duties that Chiropractors have to preform are to evaluate and examine the patient. They are required to review the patient’s medical history and question the patient about that history to avoid reinjuring. Chiropractors must be able to examine and identify problems through an X-ray, and diagnose the patient. They must manually adjust the spine, or other parts of the body, in order to correct the problem within the spine or affected area. The setting of a chiropractor varies from person to person. They can be in a spacious office setting or a hospital. Many chiropractors choose to take the solo or partnership route and must know how to manage a small business. The hours of a chiropractor can be very flexible, but they are still extensive. Although most chiropractors work full time, 21 percent worked part time in 2010. About 1 out of 4 chiropractors worked 50 hours or more per week. Chiropractors may work in the evenings to accommodate working patients. Self-employed chiropractors set their own hours. Chiropractors are generally needed everywhere, but the state with the least amount is Iowa. There are many more job openings in rural areas due to the population, which is why many chiropractors will eventually go rural to build up clientele and be familiar with everyone. The average pay of chiropractors is $67,200. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,270, and the top 10 percent earned more than $143,670. Chiropractors tend to earn a lot less early in their careers