Are Chiropractors Doctors?

Chiropractors don’t receive medical degrees. If they did, it would technically make them doctors. They do go through years of medical training before they can become a licensed practitioner, though. And they can use “Dr.” before their name in the field they choose to practice. 

Chiropractic training is intensive. They’re experts in their chosen field. They can’t just “be a chiropractor” without the proper training.

What Qualifications Do Chiropractors Have?

Chiropractors don’t have medical degrees. They’re not like medical doctors in the way you’d typically think about doctors. Those are your general practitioners and surgeons. Chiropractors don’t hold the highly-regarded title of “medical doctor,” but they do receive a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE).

Chiropractic school lasts for four years, with anatomy, physiology, spinal health, and neurology classes. This is after getting a four-year undergraduate degree. During training, students learn how to diagnose and treat joint, muscle, and mobility issues, whether through hands-on experience in clinical practice or an internship. Then they need to pass national and state board exams to get licensed. 

Once they can legally practice, they must stay educated on new research, techniques, and best practices. This means many continually update their qualifications as research evolves.

What’s the Biggest Difference Between a Doctor and a Chiropractor?

The knowledge of chiropractors vs doctors is totally specific to their chosen field. Chiropractors are educated on spinal pain and alignment. They help with pain in the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Doctors have broader medical knowledge of the whole body. 

Aside from the conditions they specialize in, one of the biggest differences between a chiro and a regular doc is that doctors are legally allowed to prescribe prescription meds and chiropractors aren’t. 

When you see a chiropractor, you’ll typically have a few sessions to treat whatever back and neck pain or other issues. Going to a doctor is usually a one-time thing. You may have a follow-up visit, depending on what’s going on.

Chiropractors and Medical Training

Once a chiropractor starts seeing patients, they’ve gone through at least four years of hands-on training to get their D.C. degree. They might also specialize in several disciplines. Some choose one, others may specialize in several. It usually takes roughly eight years of significant medical training to complete basic and more specialized classes to become a fully licensed chiropractor. 

At Twin Waves Wellness Center, we specialize in Network Spinal — formerly known as Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) — a holistic approach that blends chiropractic care with energy and body work. It’s super gentle, meaning there’s no cracking or popping involved. Just light touches (known as contacts) to the spine, usually in the neck and sacral (lower) regions. It’s a well-researched chiropractic technique, with evidence that shows self-reported improvements in wellness and positive lifestyle changes. 

Some studies show Network Spinal creates a visible spinal wave that contains electromagnetic currents. According to mathematical engineers, based on studies that were a decade apart, this wave is a strong pattern that represents a new way to check how healthy your nervous system is. This is why we consider ourselves chiropractors who are like doctors of the nervous system. 

According to experts, “the spinal wave associated with network care has been well documented.” The nervous system controls your entire body. This is why when you feel better physically, it’s so much easier to regulate your emotions and ease anxiety and stress.

 “The spine is the lifeline. A lot of people should go to a chiropractor, but they don’t know it.” -Jack LaLanne

Is It Safe Seeing a Chiropractor?

Considering the extensive training chiropractors have to go through, going to the chiropractor is a safe option. You can also easily find out if they’re fully qualified and legit. All you need to do is contact your state board.  

A great way to learn about a chiropractor is through client testimonials and online reviews. A quick check on the internet will tell you everything you need to know. Maybe one of your friends or a family member has seen a chiropractor whom you can ask about their experience. 

They won’t use certain techniques on you if they think that you’re not in the right state of health to receive them. They’ll also ask questions to fully and accurately assess if you’re a good candidate for chiropractic treatment or not.

Chiropractors Aren’t Doctors, But They Are Medically Trained Professionals

So, chiropractors aren’t medical doctors. If you find one that claims to be, find yourself another option immediately. While they might not be doctors, chiropractors go through years of medical training. They’re fully licensed health care practitioners and can call themselves doctors of their chosen field. 

If you’re on the fence about seeing a chiropractor for neck or back pain because they’re not “doctors,” you could be selling yourself short on receiving some amazing benefits. A chiropractor might not be for everyone, which is exactly why you’ll be fully assessed before getting any kind of treatment.