Students completing an undergraduate degree in the health sciences have many options upon graduation. When evaluating the direction for a healthcare career, graduates often consider the postgraduate options of chiropractic school and medical school. Since both are significant commitments regarding study time and financial investment, it’s not a decision to be made without all the necessary information.
Today, we’ll explore the differences and similarities between the education and practice of chiropractors and medical doctors. But before we dive in, keep in mind that both chiropractors and medical doctors are educated and qualified professionals with vital expertise to offer their patients. So let’s define the two a bit more thoroughly.
Chiropractor vs. medical doctor: Definitions
What is a chiropractic physician?
A chiropractor, or chiropractic physician, has completed a Doctorate of Chiropractic (DC) degree. This postgraduate program typically takes four or more years of dedicated, graduate-level study in anatomy, microbiology, radiology, functional kinesiology, and chiropractic care principles and philosophy. Upon completion of a Doctor of Chiropractic, graduates must take and pass a series of exams to become licensed through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
Chiropractors are licensed practitioners who diagnose and treat mechanical disorders of the spine and joints. These professionals typically administer treatment through hands-on, holistic methods such as using water, heat therapy, physical supports, and manual adjustments of the spine. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications or perform surgery.
What is a medical doctor?
A medical doctor is a licensed physician who has graduated from an accredited medical school. Their postgraduate education also takes an average of four years to complete and includes courses in pathology, anatomy, biochemistry, medicine, chemistry, statistics, and calculus, among others. After graduation, medical doctors must complete a residency of three or more years under the guidance of more experienced physicians.
Medical doctors are physicians that typically specialize in a certain field, such as cardiology or oncology. These professionals work to promote, maintain, and restore the health of their patients. They may diagnose diseases, tend to injuries, or treat other physical and mental impairments. Medical doctors, unlike chiropractors, often prescribe medication and perform surgical procedures.
With these working definitions in mind, let’s take a closer look at similarities between chiropractor vs. medical doctor education.
Do chiropractors go to medical school?
No, chiropractors do not go to medical school. Instead, they attend chiropractic school, where they earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. Chiropractic programs typically last four years and include coursework in anatomy, physiology, neurology, radiology, and spinal health, along with extensive clinical training. While their education is rigorous, it differs from medical school, which focuses on pharmacological and surgical treatments for a wide range of body systems. Chiropractors specialize in musculoskeletal and nervous system health, using non-invasive, drug-free treatments such as spinal adjustments and rehabilitative exercises.
Chiropractic vs. medical school: The similarities
When comparing the chiropractic curriculum vs. medical curriculum, it becomes clear that the programs share several important commonalities. In fact, at the undergraduate level, the education of aspiring chiropractors and medical doctors can be very similar, with both often completing a bachelor’s degree in health science-related fields.
During their graduate studies, these programs overlap further in the basic sciences. Chiropractic and medical programs also share some common areas in the clinical sciences, providing hands-on training that helps students develop the skills needed to evaluate and care for patients effectively.
Chiropractors and medical doctors share a similar career goal: promoting the health and wellness of the patient. Both aim to help their patients to live fulfilling, pain-free lives. Additionally, chiropractors and medical doctors both take an oath upon graduation to do no harm, serve the sick, and alleviate suffering without regard to the patient’s race, color, or class.
Furthermore, both professions are subject to governing bodies that oversee the quality of professionals in the field and work to preserve the quality and ethics of chiropractic and medical care. Chiropractors and medical doctors must be licensed according to state requirements and abide by specific professional standards when serving patients. There is a common misconception that chiropractors, as non-medical doctors, work in an unregulated capacity like herbalists or naturopaths. This is not the case. Chiropractic care is a licensed, highly regulated health profession.
Regarding schooling, Donald Corenman, MD, DC — a practicing medical doctor and chiropractor — states that “medical school is similar to chiropractic school in the first two years. The academic courses are similar, and anatomy is just as rigorous in chiropractic school as in medical school. However, the need to absorb information (for instance, microbiology) is greater in medical school as the young MD will need to know the differential of different types of infections. In contrast, a young DC does not have to understand those differences for future practice.”
Chiropractic vs. medical school: The differences
Donald Corenman, MD, DC, continues, “The bigger differences [between chiropractic and medical postgraduate education] are in the last two years of school. In chiropractic school, much emphasis is placed on manipulation and biomechanics, as taught in a clinic at the school. In medical school, there are multiple six-week rotations in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and many specialties (ex: dermatology, orthopedics, and rheumatology).”
“The biggest difference is that in medicine, the newly minted physician now has to take at least a three-year residency and quite possibly a five to six-year residency. You might then add to that a fellowship of one to three years. The newly minted chiropractor can go immediately into practice.”
As Dr. Corenman notes, chiropractic and medical education differ most in clinical practice requirements, which are more extensive in medical school. While a chiropractor can begin practicing immediately after graduation and passing their licensing exams, medical school graduates must complete 3-9 years of supervised clinical hours to further specialize and hone their skills.
However, this does not mean chiropractors are less qualified. Upon graduation, chiropractors are already specialists in their field, whereas a newly minted physician holds a more general understanding of medical practice.
A Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), also known as a chiropractor or chiropractic physician, is a medical professional trained to precisely diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Yet, there are areas for further specialization. For example, some chiropractors choose to specialize in areas including neurology, orthopedics, and sports medicine.
Chiropractor vs. medical doctor: Scope of practice
Chiropractors specialize in the musculoskeletal system, particularly focusing on the spine and its relation to the nervous system. Their treatments are non-invasive and drug-free, utilizing spinal adjustments, manual therapy, and lifestyle recommendations to alleviate issues like back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint discomfort. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications or perform surgeries but often work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, including MDs, to create integrated treatment plans for their patients.
In contrast, medical doctors have a broader scope of practice, trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and medical conditions, including acute illnesses and chronic diseases. MDs can prescribe medications, conduct surgeries, and use various diagnostic procedures (such as MRIs and blood tests) to treat patients. Their education is typically more extensive, involving a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, followed by internships and residencies, and they are licensed to perform invasive procedures.
How to become a chiropractor
Becoming a chiropractor involves several key steps:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree: Complete four years of undergraduate coursework, often in health sciences or related fields
- Attend chiropractic school: Enroll in an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic (DO) program to gain an in-depth knowledge of spinal care, musculoskeletal health, and nervous system function
- Complete clinical training: Participate in hands-on patient care to develop practical skills in assessment, spinal adjustments, and therapeutic techniques
- Obtain a license: Pass the required national and state exams to practice as a licensed chiropractor
- Consider specializations: Explore advanced areas such as sports chiropractic, neurology, or rehabilitation therapy
Following these steps will prepare you to become a licensed chiropractor, equipped to help patients maintain musculoskeletal health, relieve pain, and improve overall wellness.
University of Bridgeport’s Doctor of Chiropractic degree program is accredited by The Council on Chiropractic Education. The UB School of Chiropractic (UBSC) is a proud member of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges.
Reach out today to learn more about UBSC.