Other Fields Related to Chiropractic

Chiropractic can be an appealing field for those interested in entering a health care profession, due to its pleasant work environment, positive job outlook, and high earnings. Before deciding on any field, though, it’s a good idea to check out related options, to find the best fit for you. Here are some other health care fields related to chiropractic, and what they have to offer.

Physical Therapy

  • What is it?: Physical therapists are health care professionals who treat individuals with limitations in their daily physical functionality, due to a disability, accident, or chronic condition. They help restore the patient’s ability to move normally through exercises, training techniques, use of tools and equipment, and electrotherapeutic techniques.
  • Educational Requirements: Doctoral degrees are the most common physical therapy degree, and they take three years to complete. Master’s degrees in physical therapy take about two years to earn. The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) certifies physical therapy programs.
  • Differences from Chiropractic: Practicing physical therapists usually work in hospitals or in the practices of other health care professionals. They have fewer opportunities to own their own practice or work solely for themselves.
  • Job Outlook: 30 percent job growth is expected by 2018.
  • Earnings: $60,000-86,000 a year 

Massage Therapy

  • What is it?: Massage therapists use different types of touch to alleviate pain from injuries, reduce stress, and increase circulation. Different techniques, called modalities, are used for different outcomes and patient problems; a massage session may last anywhere from a few minutes to two hours.
  • Educational Requirements: Massage therapists must usually complete 500 hours worth of training before they can be licensed to practice massage. Massage institutes, community colleges, and technical schools offer these programs.
  • Differences from Chiropractic: While it takes considerably less training, work in massage therapy is also more unstable and less lucrative. It also takes considerable physical endurance and strength, whereas chiropractic only requires excellent manual dexterity.
  • Job Outlook: 19 percent job growth is expected by 2018.
  • Earnings: $23,000-50,000 a year

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

  • What is it?: Osteopathic doctors can be considered as a sort of hybrid between traditional medical doctors and chiropractic doctors or physical therapists. Like chiropractic medicine, osteopathy’s mission is to heal the entire body, not just a particular system or part. Like M.D.s, osteopathic doctors complete four years of medical school, but they also master hands-on techniques and manipulation of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Educational Requirements: Four years of training in an osteopathic medicine program.
  • Differences from Chiropractic: Osteopathic doctors work alongside M.D.s in hospitals, physician’s offices, and surgical centers, and don’t have to worry about being the black sheep of the medical establishment, like chiropractors sometimes are. While osteopathy incorporates holistic approaches to health care, O.D.s are often indistinguishable from M.D.s in where they work, how much they earn, and how they’re treated.
  • Job Outlook: 22 percent increase in jobs is expected by 2018.
  • Earnings: $120,000 a year and up, depending on specialty

 

Sources:

Physical Therapists. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Physicians and Surgeons. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Massage Therapists. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

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