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There is no doubt that many young
people have dreamed of becoming a medical doctor
from a very young age. There is also no doubt
that studying in Britain has a special kudos all
of its own. But what about the job?
 Becoming
a doctor involves many years of rigorous study
(quite rightly) followed by several years of additional
study should you choose to specialise. Although
by no means badly paid, it can take an awfully
long time to reach the top, and for most - if
not all - of that time, you will always be answerable
to someone else.
So what if you really love the idea of the academic
rigour of medicine and the rewards of healing,
but frankly don't have the stomach for the more
unpleasant physical aspects? What if you don't
fancy the idea of working for someone else, and
would really like to be your own boss? Or what
if something inside you keeps telling you that
if there is a way of healing without the use of
drugs, the natural way has to be preferable?
If any of the above have ever crept into your
thought process, then you could do a lot worse
than taking a long hard look at chiropractic as
a career.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a medical system which was developed
by Daniel Palmer, a Canadian living the United
States, in 1895. It was based on the concept that
most, if not all, ill health or disease was due
to neurological dysfunction (or problems with
the central and peripheral nervous systems) and
that by using manipulation and adjustments of
the musculo-skeletal system, particularly the
spine, as well as support techniques, much ill
health and disease could be corrected.
Since then, chiropractic has grown to become
the third largest health care profession in the
world after medicine and dentistry, and is a recognised
part of the healthcare system in countries spanning
the globe.
Chiropractors DO NOT prescribe drugs or perform
surgery, but frequently offer an alternative to
both. They bring help and relief to thousands
of patients who would otherwise suffer prolonged
pain or illness.
How long does it take?
Depending on where you study, it takes about
five years to qualify as a chiropractor, with
a further year spent working under the close supervision
of an experienced chiropractor in a clinic.
What do the courses involve?
Typically, the first part of a chiropractic course
lasts four years and results in a BSc in Chiropractic
Science. The fifth year then leads to the award
of an MSc in Chiropractic, at which point graduates
can register with the governing or statutory body
(in the UK, the General Chiropractic Council)
and go on to carry out their year of supervised
practice. The first two years of the course are
similar to those followed by medical students,
including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, biochemistry,
nutrition, behavioural science and infectious
diseases. Thereafter, the emphasis shifts to chiropractic
with technique, radiography, pathology, pharmacology,
applied neurology, geriatrics, paediatrics, obstetrics/gynaecology,
dermatology, clinic preparation and communication.
In the fourth year, students have to complete
a major research project, which helps provide
a good basis for evidenced-based culture of contemporary
health care.
Finally, students spend their fifth year doing
what it really is all about: treating patients.
Under the close supervision of clinical tutors,
students will see a wide range of conditions,
as they are trained to read x-rays and able to
send patients for a variety of tests at local
hospitals. In rehabilitation units, students are
now able to work with patients who have a long-term
history of chronic conditions in retraining their
posture and rebuilding muscles to help improve
their condition, where chiropractic treatment
alone may not be enough.
Chiropractic Career Prospects
Evidence shows that most graduates quickly start
to earn incomes that often exceed those of an
experienced doctor. However, nobody ever succeeded
in chiropractic who came into it for the financial
rewards. You need to be dedicated to the ideals
of healing first and foremost, have a first-class
brain, and want to make a difference. If you have
those, then medical school needn't be your only
option.
Author
Paul M Baker
Independent Consultant
Anglo-European College of Chiropractic
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