“The Doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas A. Edison

Chiropractic is the branch of the healing arts that deals with structure and function. Chiropractors have found that if there is pressure along the spine, irritating and interfering with a nerve, it will cause pain (function). It is highly probable that it will affect muscles, joints, blood vessels and even organs and glands (structure).

Chiropractor’s job is to determine if such a problem exists and if it can be relieved. Advanced technology and extensive diagnostic training assure the chiropractic physician – and you – that the findings are valid and the prognosis reliable.

Our Chiropractic Education

Upon successful completion of a 4 year bachelor degree, those students who are accepted to a chiropractic university/college enter a 4 year academic program, which is similar in content to medical university/college. Course work includes an in-depth study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, radiology, biomechanics, spinal adjustive techniques, including a variety of other health-related areas.

The primary focus of the chiropractic education is to teach the student how to recognize and effectively treat a wide variety of neuromusculoskeletal disorders in order to reduce pain and discomfort, allow for effective and proper healing, restore normal body biomechanics and improve overall health. In order to treat such conditions, students are taught a number of different techniques and methods. An emphasis is also placed on other aspects of health including diet, exercise, nutrition and wellness.

Moreover, students receive thorough training aimed at identifying those conditions which are beyond the chiropractor’s scope of practice and which require outside medical referral.During the academic program, students must successfully complete 4 national board examinations which are required for licensure. In addition, students must spend several hundred hours of internship in which they treat patients suffering from true health ailments while under professional supervision. This ensures that the graduating doctors of chiropractic will have all the necessary education, skills, and clinical experience to provide exceptionally safe and effective chiropractic health care. Many colleges have additionally employed externship programs in which student interns assist field doctors in their private practices prior to graduation.

Licensure

Upon graduation and the passing of all national board exams, students undergo state board examination for the state which they wish to practice in. If successful, the new doctor of chiropractic will receive his or her license for the practice of chiropractic in that state.

Continuing Education

Once licensed, all states require the doctor of chiropractic to attend annual seminars in order to maintain a high level of competency and keep technical skills sharp and as current as possible. In the State of Wisconsin all Chiropractors are required to attend 40 hours of specific clinical education every two years.