Chirpractor
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
