ADDRESS

10429 Hickory Path Way
Knoxville, TN 37922

About Chiropractic Physician Training

The major focus of chiropractic is concerned with how the nervous system interacts with the various systems of the body (i.e., skeletal, muscular, reproductive, digestive, endocrine, lymphatic/immunity, respiratory, urinary, and cardiovascular).

Keeping the body free from nerve interference has a direct positive benefit to all these body systems. As a result, chiropractors are intensively trained in these various systems, as well as in human anatomy and physiology, neurology, biomechanics, and disease pathologies.

The Doctor of Chiropractic degree (D.C.) is a four-year program, the first two years of which are very similar to medical doctor (M.D.) programs. Chiropractors must pass four national board exams in order to practice, in addition to any required state board examinations and licensure requirements.

In addition to chiropractic adjustment technique classes, elective classes, and a two-year internship, the typical chiropractic program consists of the following coursework (no particular order):

  • Embryology
  • Histology
  • Osteology
  • Biochemistry I & II
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Public Health
  • Spinal Anatomy
  • Muscle/Skeletal Gross Anatomy
  • Visceral Gross Anatomy
  • Head and Neck Gross Anatomy
  • Motion Palpation I & II
  • Spinal Biomechanics
  • Neurophysiology
  • Chiropractic History & Philosophy
  • PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)
  • Neurodiagnosis
  • Muscle, Gait, Posture analyses
  • Wellness
  • Subluxation Theories
  • Genital-Urinary Diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Diagnosis
  • Emergency Clinical Assessment
  • Toxicology I &II
  • Instrumentation I & II
  • Ob/Gyn
  • Chiropractic Principles
  • Bacteriology & Virology
  • Physiology
  • Visceral Physiology
  • Nutrition
  • Radiology (I-XII)
  • X-Ray Physics
  • Visceral Diagnosis
  • Parasitology & Mycology
  • Research (I-IV)
  • CNS (Central Nervous System)
  • Orthopedic Diagnosis
  • Immunology
  • Disease Pathology I and II
  • Endocrinology
  • Geriatrics
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Soft Tissue Analysis
  • Pediatric Diagnosis/adjusting
  • Integrated Diagnosis
  • Professional Ethics
  • Jurisprudence
  • Advanced Imaging
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Proctology

The following charts are representative of typical educational curriculum for the profession.

The above schools were used to gather the information:

DC (Doctor of chiropractic): University of Western States
DO (Doctor of osteopathy): Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
DPT (Doctor of physical therapy): University of Southern California
MD (Medical doctor): Yale University
ND (Naturopathic doctor): Boucher Institute
RMT (Registered massage therapist): Vancouver Career College (RMT is a Canadian license)
LMT (Licensed massage therapist): Nationally recognized standards