What a difference a day makes...or in the case of chiropractic, over a century. Chiropractic schools have gone through an evolutional process beginning with its founder Daniel David Palmer, who in 1897 founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Because chiropractic was very controversial at the time, many practicing chiropractors were actually "prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license." [1]

Back then and still today, the chiropractic school was based much on Palmer's research of medical journals. Palmer wanted to discover the root of all disease. It was through his desire and work that he theorized that ninety-five percent of all diseases is caused by a subluxated vertebra.

Since that time, the social climate has evolved into more approval of the field. At that time, chiropractic was often confused with medicine. Authorities finally acknowledged chiropractic as a separate profession to that of medicine. And Palmer's chiropractic school flourished.

One of the first known cases of chiropractic treatment that Palmer administered was on a deaf man who had injured his back nearly two decades in the past. Making an adjustment to his vertebra, Palmer successfully restored the man's hearing. Thus began the chiropractic school of thought!

Palmers son and apprentice integrated X-rays into the practice of Chiropractic to distinguish the differences between traditional medicine and chiropractic. By facilitating X-rays, chiropractic schools today can enable prospective chiropractors to not only identify bone disease, but to demonstrate the anatomy to productively administer precision adjustments to the spine.

Today, however, chiropractic is still not widely accepted in mainstream medicine as an effective treatment. Chiropractic schools aim to change that mode of thinking: While independent trials and other research demonstrate chiropractic to be as good, if not better, than traditional medicine; radiologists commonly deny the proof of "subluxations." This issue proves to be equally as difficult for chiropractor researchers to effectively communicate with other medical professionals. More recently, in 1996, the General Medical Council and the Royal College of General Practitioners in the UK offered their advocacy to chiropractic; more specifically for back conditions. [2]

Rich in history, chiropractic schools today instruct students in not only the elementary roots of chiropractic, but the art of chiropractic treatment as well. Because "all States and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet the education and examination requirement established by the State" [3] it is evident that students who desire a career in chiropractic should carefully examine chiropractic schools for complete curriculum.

Palmers chiropractic school, which was established in the late 1800s, has definitely branched out into several regions. Today, students can opt to attend numerous accredited chiropractic schools and programs in the United States. In most cases, students who wish to attend a chiropractic school are required to have a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate studies in biology; English; chemistry; psychology and physics prior to enrollment. Prospective students, upon entering a chiropractic school or chiropractic college will gain clinical experience in geriatrics; nutrition; orthopedics; neurology; laboratory and physical diagnosis, in addition to several more associated studies. Successful graduates who have met all educational requirements will be granted a degree of Doctor of Chiropractic.

Alumnae who have completed their chiropractic school education can go onto lucrative careers in chiropractic where they may earn as much as $118,000 annually.

If you are thinking about enrolling in a Chiropractic School to attain your education in chiropractic, feel free to visit the Natural Healing Directory at SchoolsGalore.com for more information.

References:

1. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Daniel David Palmer
2. Clinical Guidelines for the Management for Acute Back Pain (September 1996); RCGP, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Osteopathic Association of Great Britain, British Chiropractic Association, National Back Pain Association
3. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chiropractors

08/29/2006 Chiropractic Schools, Then and Now

By C. Bailey-Lloyd in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc., Managing Organization for SchoolsGalore.com

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