Chiropractor
Chiropractors manipulate joints, bones and soft tissue to help clients control pain or prevent injuries from re-occurring.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): Variable
Typical hours (a week): 37 - 39
Related videos on a chiropractor
How to become a chiropractor
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
University
You'll need to complete a 4-year degree or postgraduate master's course recognised by the General Chiropractic Council. This involves 3 years of full-time study and 1 year working under supervision. You may be able to take an Access to Science course if you do not have the degree entry requirements.
University (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 3 A levels or equivalent
Volunteering & Experience
You'll need to get paid or unpaid experience of working with a chiropractor before applying for a course. You'll also find it useful to get experience of working in a health or care role. You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator or manager at your local NHS trust for more advice.
More info
Registration
- you'll need to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council before you can work as a chiropractor
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a chiropractor from the General Chiropractic Council and the British Chiropractic Association.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- sensitivity and understanding
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- customer service skills
- leadership skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restriction & Requirements
You'll need to:
What you'll do
Day to day
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- using your hands to treat disorders of bones, muscles and joints
- manipulating the spine
- treating neck, back and shoulder pain
- treating sciatica and leg problems
- helping clients with sports injuries, poor posture and joint and muscle pain
- making sure your client’s condition is suitable for treatment
- discussing their symptoms and health problems in detail
- carrying out examinations, sometimes using x-rays or blood tests
- designing a programme of treatment for each individual client
- giving advice on lifestyle, diet and exercise to support recovery
Working environment
You could work in a therapy clinic.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
With experience you could set up your own practice. You could also move into education, or specialise in sports medicine, rehabilitation, neurology or research.
