Undoubtedly today is the era of technological advancements and ease of life. The modern man is leading a stressful life with a lot of work to do. His job requires sitting at a desk working on a computer or laptop. The COVID pandemic too has increased the Work from Home Culture and people are on their PCs and laptops all day long.
Naturally, this setting, seated at a desk stooping over the desk stiffens the joints, affecting the skeletal and nervous system. This prolonged practice of the wrong posture takes a toll on the spine and alignment of the body. If not timely care and proper treatment are not taken, the person has to face drastic effects on their body in the long run.
Here a Chiropractor comes into the picture who provides various therapies after diagnosing the pain-affected area.
Who is a Chiropractor?
Chiropractic Care or Chiropractic is a branch of healthcare discipline that focuses on the inherent ability of the body to heal itself without using external remedies like drugs or surgery.
Chiropractors are the medical professionals who diagnose and treat health problems of patients dealing with a neuro-muscular-skeletal system that includes important body parts like the spinal cord, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
They employ techniques of spinal adjustments and manipulation along with clinical interventions to manage the neck and back pain problems of patients. Their treatment options include advising on exercise, lifestyle and health counselling along with manipulation of spines, joints and other soft tissues in the body.
Responsibilities
The following are the responsibilities and tasks that a Chiropractor undertakes.
- Performing the physical examination of patients by assessing their medical condition after review of their medical histories and concerns.
- Analyzing the patient’s posture, spine and reflexes.
- Conducting the necessary tests for evaluation of patient’s posture and taking their X-rays.
- Perform manual adjustments of patient’s spinal columns and other joints by providing neuro-musculoskeletal therapy.
- Providing therapeutic remedies like Application of heat and cold to patient’s affected areas along with the routine treatment.
- Advising patients on their health and lifestyle like exercise, nutrition and sleep habits.
- Usage of various massage techniques, rehabilitation and ultrasounds for manipulation of spinal treatments.
- Providing braces and shoe inserts for relieving the pain of patients.
Required skills
The following are some of the skills needed to become a successful Chiropractor.
- Detail-oriented to make the correct diagnosis for a patient.
- Good manual dexterity to provide manual adjustments to joints and spine.
- Good Interpersonal skills for maintaining client base for performing therapies.
- Excellent decision-making skills for use of the best treatment for patient’s problems or if required refer them to other healthcare professionals.
- Knowledge of modern treatment techniques and their application.
- Excellent Time management and team working skills.
- Skilled at identifying the pain or problematic area of the patients.
Education and Eligibility
- Completion of 10+2 in science stream from a recognized board.
- Pursue bachelor in chiropractic from a recognized board and later on interested candidates can complete master and doctorate in chiropractic courses.
- Integrated programs are available in Chiropractic that combines 3 years of under graduation and 2 years of post-graduation.
Institutes in India offering Chiropractic Courses
- Holy Angels College of Alternative Medicines in Mumbai.
- Institute of Alternative Medicines and Research (IAMR) in Pune.
Common Treatment Areas of Chiropractors
- Knee pains.
- Sports Injuries.
- Headaches.
- Low Back Pain
- Neck and Shoulder Pain.
- Tennis and Golfer’s elbow.
- Ankle and Foot pain.
- Plantar Fasciitis.
- Numbness and Tingling sensation in Arms and Legs.
Job Opportunities for a Chiropractor
The following are the employment areas of a Chiropractor where he can find ample job opportunities.
- Government Hospitals
- Clinics and Health Departments
- Nursing homes
- Old age homes
- Private and Military Hospitals
- Training Institutes as educators
- Industrial houses and factories
- Sports Academy
Chiropractor regulatory bodies
A chiropractor is regulated at two different levels that are:
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
- State Level Licensure.
Salary and Job Prospects
The entry-level chiropractor can expect to earn from INR 2.4 LPA to 3 LPA. This salary increases based on education, experience and skills. The median annual salary of Chiropractors abroad is $70,720 in abroad.
The employment of Chiropractors is expected to grow at a rate of 7% from 2018 to 2028 faster than the average growth rate for other occupations. People of all age groups are getting aware and increasingly interested in complementary healthcare for treating their pain and improvement of their overall wellness.
Chiropractic Care is an attractive treatment option for patients as the chiropractic professionals do not prescribe any medication and drugs and use non-surgical methods of treatment.
– Samiya Firdous
