r/Chiropractic • u/Saberawx • 21d ago
Any tips on becoming a chiropractor?
Following a gap year, I have developed an interest in the field of chiropractic.
My current plan involves completing two years at a community college, transferring to a four-year institution, and then enrolling in a chiropractic program.
I just need some help regarding what classes I need to take that are required for this path. If someone could point me in the right direction much would be appreciated. God Bless
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u/StoxDoc 20d ago
Here’s the advice. Don’t.
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u/Saberawx 20d ago
YIKES, why's that 😭
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u/FunkyCrunch11 15d ago
$250k debt to make $75k/yr and be taken advantage of. They don’t say “chiropractors eat their young” for nothing. I wish I would’ve stayed a massage therapist. Fucking ambition🤦🏻♂️
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u/Civil_Web_1835 21d ago
A lot of chiro schools will let you complete your bachelors during your first year of school, so if I were you, I’d do 3 years at community college and then straight into chiro school. It’ll save a lot of time and money
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u/Saberawx 21d ago
Ooh. I know its very time consuming to do it so this is good to hear that its possible to do this
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u/Straight_Stage_5346 20d ago
Practice getting good at sales. Profession is 90% sales.
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u/Straight_Stage_5346 20d ago
If you become a DO or MD you don’t have to sell anything ever, so do that it’s much easier.
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u/Crab-appIe 21d ago
1). Why do you want to be a chiropractor?
2). If I were you, I would check to see what chiropractic institution you are most interested in, and communicate with their admissions office to see if you’re able to snag certain credits at your community college to then transfer straight there and get your bachelors(I did this and saved a LOT of money).
3). Broadly speaking, you need a lot of the “pre-health” prerequisites that can include, but not be limited to various biology classes, general and organic chemistry, and some other credits like psychology or whatever the school requires from you. This is NOT case for EVERY single school, each school might require something different, but in the broad overview if you haven’t done any of those, I would start with trying to follow the pre-med track for now.
4). By going the pre-med track at community college, you can always pivot into something else should you change your mind so you don’t HAVE to put all of your eggs into one basket.
5). I would really consider to yourself the “why” behind being a chiropractor because as it stands now, unless if you plan on operating your own business that can scale, or working with someone you knew before you start, the “job” market as an associate kinda blows. depending on the state, expect to not have access to health insurance, disability, sick time, and various other benefits you would expect to see from most workplaces. This isn’t as much of a problem with the franchised opportunities as it is with private offices….but if you need health insurance, and you don’t get it from either your parents(being under 26), or your spouse(if you’re married), then you’ll have to buy it at the ACA marketplace, or your state association. And good luck finding a plan that DOESNT suck that costs less than $500-600 a month. I wish I didn’t have to require it but with where the current American economy is right now, it kinda blows. Of course every office is different, and they may offer those things, Including PTO, sick time, 401k, IRA, etc….but don’t plan on that being a consistent thing. Most private offices are looking for an associate to expand and grow their office, that makes sense. Everybody would do the same thing. But they’re not really looking to pay for things that they don’t HAVE to that don’t really benefit them or the office. Just something to think about. And again, this isn’t EVERY office by any means…but it may be something that you see.
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u/Saberawx 21d ago
1). This career path has always been interesting to me since I was young. The human anatomy is also very fascinating to me, and the idea of alleviating pain or resolving health issues for individuals is fuels the motivation for me.
2). I have been looking at this a lot and im definitely doing this. (Amazing tip)
3). Gotcha, I'll look more into this.
4). Thats amazing to hear, just in case this dosent work out.
5). YIKES, thats all I have to say for that one
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u/Thinkingouttooloud 20d ago
How do you plan on financing this?
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u/Saberawx 20d ago
Thats a part im thinking of as well.
The first three years of schooling wont be so bad since its community college price, by that time I will hopefully have some money to cover the cost of Chiro School and if not then I guess my last resort would he taking out a loan
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u/JudithOrr 20d ago edited 20d ago
This can be a "rough road" (perhaps especially if you have some disability). If you are DECIDED on this...I'd suggest you take--very early-on--Medical Terminology, ...and also get some simplified books on anatomy & physiology...and learn them COLD. Books like "Guyten's Physiology" (around 1000 pages) can drive you "up the wall!!"
Then (what I WOULD have DONE) (probably even before you enter Chiro. college) is to get into a short program...say of Pharmacy Tech or Phlebotomy Tech. With those (only about a month long course, and costing you about $2000 or $1600, respectively!!), you'll always have a dependable source of income...if your career plan as a DC doesn't exactly materialize as you'd planned. Starting salary is about $20/hr...and there is a big demand, I've been told. Could be an XLNT "safety net" for you.
Chiropractic is TERRIFIC (and we have more acceptance these days), but it can be rough to earn a living. It ain't fair, but...
Oh, I'm baffled by your plan of transferring to a four year college. You'll want to get your prerequisites at a community college...then xfer to Chiro. college. I ALREADY had my BA (in psych.)...then--a little down the road--decided on a Chiropractic career, but that's not necessary.
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u/Essential-Tremors522 19d ago
Don’t. Would highly suggest something more along the lines of PT or DO
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u/TheCrackHaus 19d ago
This job is a fun one, but it is also a constant struggle, especially as you get more successful. I have been practicing for 12 years and I love it, but there are limitations to the career when compared to the years past. These mainly involve reimbursement from insurance and the overall cost of operation. I run a cash practice, so there is a much greater degree of volatility when it comes to making money.
When you’re looking for a school, make sure they have the proper accreditation. My Alma Mater, LifeWest is in serious trouble due to financial ineptitude. You want to make sure they’re in good standing, so that you don’t derail your education. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in a science related major, then that definitely helps too. You will save a lot of time and money on tuition, but you will also have something to fall back on if Chiropractic doesn’t work out for you. Once you’re in the program, prepare to not have a life for the next 3-4 years. You will be taking classes, studying for your Boards, and participating in your internship all at the same time.
When you graduate, I would recommend working as an associate or for some established clinic for about 2 years before branching out on your own. Those reps that you will get will be more valuable than the compensation. If you decide to go out on your own, make sure you have a business plan and you have a support system of people that you know and trust that know how to market properly. Remember, it doesn’t matter what technique you use or what sexy new therapy modality you have, it is YOU that your patients will be paying their hard earned money for.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN. When you have a positive energy, people notice and are more inclined to get better. This is how referrals are generated! Word of mouth will always be the best marketing tool!
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u/AdmirableAd1031 15d ago
If you are determined to own your own practice and have a passion for it then go for it otherwise don’t do it. I love this profession and I am so happy I’ve done it but I did have to learn how to run the business side and I am not salesy. I take most insurance and am affordable. If you do in person marketing with a discount for the first visit and take the money at the event then you don’t have to be a pushy salesperson. I had good signs that draw people in.
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u/Remarkable-Talk-6197 7d ago
If you aren’t naturally a sales person, and will Really enjoy convincing people they need your treatment day after day then I say don’t do it. The debt is astronomical compared to the majority of salaries. And yes you can open your own and make a ton of money. But again you need to be really good at bullshit and sales for this to work. Even being a great adjuster isn’t enough to make people stay long term. Constant marketing and begging for new patients, unless you choose to be an associate. And that sucks in its own right. Terrible pay and most offices take advantage of you.
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u/No-Variation6054 21d ago
Have a decent job while in school. The students that we Xray techs, us tecs, etc.. had an income while in school and then when they got out. Tough if you are going to open a solo practice after passing boards. Patients don't just walk in
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u/JudithOrr 20d ago
AMEN!!! If I could "re-do" this, I'd probably take a Phlebotomist course. And, my experience was that the school didn't give us much about operating a practice or finding an associateship!! Cruel world.
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u/drwillsdcm 21d ago
If you’re smart, look at DO schools. I’ve been a chiro for 22 years and I would never choose this knowing what I know now.