A chiropractor treats disorders related to the nervous system by manipulating the musculoskeletal system (made up of the bones and muscles) of the patient. Chiropractors particularly focus on making adjustments to the spine to improve its alignment.
Significance
Chiropractors (chiropractic physician or doctors of chiropractic) do not use drugs or surgical procedures to treat their patients. The treatment depends on the body's own healing powers.
Qualifications
To get a license, chiropractors must acquire an undergraduate degree (two to four years) and a chiropractor college degree (four years). They also need to take state and national chiropractor exams.
Advancement
Chiropractors can start their career by working for an established chiropractor, joining a health care facility or even opening their own business.
Employment
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 53,000 licensed chiropractors in 2005, around 52 percent of them self-employed.
Earnings
The Chiropractic Economics magazine conducted a survey in 2005, according to which chiropractors were earning an average income of $104,363 a year. In 2006, the median wage of an employed chiropractor was $65,220 a year.
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