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Doctor of Chiropractic

Chiropractic medicine is a system of treatment based on the principle that a person's health is determined largely by the nervous system and that interference with this system impairs normal function and lowers resistance to disease.
The Chiropractic approach to health care reflects a holistic view, one that stresses the patient's overall health and well being. The chiropractic approach relies on the body's inherent and natural recuperative capacity. It is the diagnosis and treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs, medicines or operative surgery.

A Doctor of Chiropractic-(D.C.) is a physician who considers man an integrated being. Since chiropractic healing does not include drugs, the chiropractic utilizes manipulation of the spine and extremities, clinical nutrition, physiological therapeutics, counseling and sanitary precautions in the prevention and treatment of disease.

The chiropractor's "high touch" method of treatment makes adjustments in spinal or pelvic joints to relieve disturbances in the nervous and muscular systems. They also recommend dietary changes and vitamin and mineral food supplementation to prevent or lessen the severity of some types of dysfunction of the nervous system.

Like other health practitioners, chiropractors follow a standard routine to secure the information needed for diagnosis and treatment. They take the patient's medical history, conduct physical and neurological examinations, order laboratory tests and take X-rays. They also employ a postural and spinal analysis unique to chiropractic diagnosis. A chiropractor's natural method of health care emphasizes quality of life. This philosophy enables: 1) the senior citizen to be more active and have more productive years; 2) the athlete to give better performance; and 3) the worker to maintain higher skills with less absenteeism due to illness.

Job Outlook
Chiropractor opportunities include private practice, group practice, teaching, research and administration. The need for ethical, competent chiropractors is greater than ever before as the profession is now being embraced by many segments of society and many special interest groups.

Educational Requirements
High school preparation should include courses in biology, chemistry and physics. Educational requirements include two years of pre-professional study at an accredited junior college, college or university. These credit hours must be in specified courses which satisfy the requirements for a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon successful completion, students need to attend a chiropractic college to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Licensure must be obtained from the state in which you practice.

Educational Programs - Chicago Area