The core principle of chiropractics focuses on the relationship between the physical body (specifically the spine) and its health. If your spine isn’t aligned, your health won’t be either. So chiropractors focus on adjusting the spine in order to realign not only your physical body, but your overall health as well.
A Brief History
The word “Chiropractic” is derived from two Greek words: “cheir” meaning “hand” and “praktos” meaning “done. This “hand done” combination of words is an essential part of the chiropractic field. Daniel David Palmer coined the term when he realized that, although forms of chiropractics had been practiced for thousands of years, the knowledge was not centralized or well understood.
In 1897 Palmer established the Palmer School of Cure in Iowa (which today is named the Palmer College of Chiropractic) and condensed and researched the techniques and science behind chiropractics, giving the field a needed foundation to grow.
A Chiropractor’s Education
To become a licensed Chiropractor students must complete three stages of study. First, students attain an undergraduate degree in the field of science. Then students must attend a four year Doctor of Chiropractic program that is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. During this time students must have a minimum of 4,200 hours of study in the classroom, laboratory, or in an internship, which is higher than the requirement for Medical Doctors.
Finally, students who graduate from an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic program must pass an exam and obtain a license from the specific state they are located in. Their studies do not stop here, however, because after this final exam chiropractors must complete a certain number educational requirements every year to keep their license.
To read more about Chiropractics, you can visit the American Chiropractic Association.