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Tell me about it
Chiropractors specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical
disorders of the joints, muscles and ligaments of the body, using
their hands to adjust the joints of the spine and limbs where signs
of restriction in movement are found. The treatment can improve
mobility, relieve pain and reduce nerve irritation.
In an initial session, chiropractors normally discuss with clients
their symptoms and health problems, including such matters as checking
that their problem is suitable for chiropractic treatment, making
a note of previous injuries or surgery, examining their posture
and joints and looking at their range of movement.
The chiropractor then treats the patient by using a range of manipulative
techniques, tailored to the patient's needs and aimed specifically
at the joints in which movement is restricted. There are conditions
for which manipulative treatment is not suitable, in which case
the chiropractor would refer the patient to a GP or specialist.
Chiropractors usually work in a consulting room, with a specialist
treatment table for examining and manipulating their clients. Some
chiropractors may also treat animals.
Entry level
You must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
before you can call yourself a chiropractor. The GCC training standard
means that you must graduate from an accredited institution before
being accepted onto the register. There are currently two institutions
offering suitable courses: the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic
in Bournemouth and the University of Glamorgan. Both offer four-year
full-time chiropractic degree courses. Both institutions also offer
one-year full-time preliminary courses designed for candidates who
do not meet the normal entry requirements for the full courses.
The minimum age to start training is 18.
The four-year BSc in Chiropractic Sciences covers in-depth training
in a variety of subjects, including life sciences, biomechanics,
clinical medicine and differential diagnosis. You would also undergo
practical training in adjustment and supervised clinical training,
where you would have hands-on practice in treating patients.
Making the grade
After finishing your course, you would need to complete a year of
structured training with a registered chiropractor before you could
qualify for the diploma in chiropractic. At the end of this year
as an assistant, you could set up on your own or join an established
practice. You must then undertake continuing professional development
as a requirement for re-registration on an annual basis.
Personal qualities
You would need good physical manipulative skills, together with
the stamina to keep going all day in what can be quite demanding
work. Excellent communication skills - including listening and explaining
- would be essential, together with the ability to keep an emotional
distance from your clients' problems. You should be able to develop
an empathy with patients and must know when to refer a patient to
a conventional medical practitioner. If you are planning to set
up your own practice, you should ensure that you have the commercial
skills needed for running a business.
Looking ahead
Progress in this work would depend both on local demand for chiropractors
and on your ability to build up a business, either alone or with
partners. Treatment is intensely personal and reputations are made
by recommendation and successful diagnosis and treatment. Interest
in complementary medicine has grown dramatically over the past few
years and chiropractic is very much an expanding profession.
There are around 1,750 chiropractors currently registered with
the GCC, largely concentrated in south east England, the Midlands
and Yorkshire, with a few in Scotland, Wales, the south west and
the north west of England. Current indicators show continuing demand
for more throughout the UK.
Alternative suggestions
If you are interested in exploring other options in complementary
medicine, you might consider training as an acupuncturist, homoeopath,
osteopath or reflexologist. Within more
conventional medicine, you could train as a doctor,
occupational therapist,
physiotherapist, radiographer
or speech and language therapist.
Take-home pay
Many chiropractors are self-employed and incomes vary considerably.
Most charge either an hourly rate or per session, usually ranging
from £20 to £60 an hour, but remember that this must
cover costs such as rent, heating and wages for administrative staff.
The British Chiropractic Association conducts surveys of member
salaries, suggesting that earnings can be as high as £100,000
per year.
Effects
There are no set working hours and you may need to work long and
flexible hours at first to build up your list of clients and your
reputation. You would probably have to work at times when patients
are free to see you, which could mean being available in the evenings
and at weekends.
Sources of information
British Chiropractic Association: www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk
General Chiropractic Council: www.gcc-uk.org
CRCI: JB
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