What type of education do chiropractors receive?  How about a Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP)?

 

Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.

 

In total, the chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Like the medical profession, chiropractors must also complete continuing education seminars after graduation. In the state of Pennsylvania Chiropractors must complete 24 hours of seminars over a two year period.

 

Primary Spine Practitioner certification involves four year undergraduate degree, three to four year post-graduate/doctoral degree (Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy) followed by an initial 36 hours of face-to-face learning for the assessment and treatment protocols followed by an additional 64 hours of distance learning under the guidance of an established Primary Spine Practitioner.