Chiropractors Have Extensive Schooling

When you visit a chiropractor, it is reasonable to ask about their education, training, and experience. Chiropractors complete years of college-level study before they are licensed to care for patients.

A Doctor of Chiropractic, or DC, receives training in the structure and movement of the body, the spine, joints, muscles, nerves, patient examination, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, and chiropractic treatment.

Understanding that training can help you feel more comfortable about the care you receive.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Chiropractor?

Becoming a chiropractor usually takes several years of undergraduate and professional education.

In the United States, chiropractic students must graduate from an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic program. These programs include at least 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction.

Coursework commonly includes subjects such as:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Neurology
• Biomechanics
• Nutrition
• Orthopedics
• Diagnostic imaging
• Clinical diagnosis
• Rehabilitation
• Chiropractic techniques
• Emergency procedures
• Research methods
• Ethics and professional practice

Students also receive hands-on clinical training before graduation.

Chiropractors Must Be Licensed

Graduating from chiropractic school is only part of the process.

Doctors of Chiropractic must also complete national board examinations and meet the licensing requirements of the state where they practice. Licensing requirements are designed to make sure chiropractors have the knowledge and clinical skills needed to evaluate and care for patients.

Many chiropractors also complete continuing education throughout their careers to stay current with changes in treatment, rehabilitation, patient safety, and healthcare.

Training Goes Beyond Chiropractic Adjustments

Modern chiropractic care can involve much more than performing an adjustment.

A chiropractor may evaluate posture, joint movement, muscle strength, range of motion, balance, and the way a person moves during everyday activities.

Depending on the patient's needs, care may also involve stretching, strengthening, stabilization exercises, posture correction, mobility work, or other forms of rehabilitation.

At Family Chiropractic of Alexandria, our Fitness & Rehab services can be combined with chiropractic care when appropriate to help patients improve mobility, strength, stability, and function.

Training at Family Chiropractic of Alexandria

Our doctors bring their own education and clinical experience to the care we provide.

Dr. Monica Jamasi, DC, MS earned an honors Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Toronto. She later graduated magna cum laude from the Doctor of Chiropractic program at the University of Bridgeport and summa cum laude from its Master of Science in Human Nutrition program. She also completed additional clinical training through the Chase Wellness Community Health Center. Family Chiropractic of Alexandria

Dr. Yeongki Kang, DC graduated summa cum laude from Life University in Georgia. His approach focuses on patient-centered chiropractic care and improving movement and function. Family Chiropractic of Alexandria

That education is especially important because every patient is different. The right approach depends on the person's symptoms, health history, physical examination, goals, and the reason they are seeking care.

Chiropractic Care Should Start With an Evaluation

Good chiropractic care should not begin with the assumption that every patient needs the same treatment.

Your chiropractor should first learn about your symptoms, medical history, previous injuries, daily activities, and health goals. A physical examination may also look at posture, mobility, strength, joint movement, or other areas related to your concern.

From there, your chiropractor can determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what type of treatment may be useful.

For some patients, that may include ongoing wellness chiropractic care. For others, treatment may focus on an injury, pain, reduced movement, or rehabilitation.

When another type of healthcare provider, imaging, or additional testing is needed, that should also be considered as part of responsible patient care.

Ask Questions About Your Chiropractic Care

You should feel comfortable asking your chiropractor questions.

Useful questions may include:

• Where did you attend chiropractic school?
• What experience do you have treating my type of condition?
• What is the goal of my treatment?
• Why are you recommending a certain exercise or adjustment?
• How will we know whether treatment is helping?
• Are there activities I should temporarily avoid?
• When would you recommend another type of healthcare provider?

At Family Chiropractic of Alexandria, we want patients to understand their care rather than simply be told what to do.

Chiropractic Education Is an Ongoing Process

Earning a Doctor of Chiropractic degree is the beginning of a chiropractor's professional education, not the end.

Healthcare continues to change, and good clinicians continue learning throughout their careers. New research, rehabilitation methods, clinical guidelines, and treatment techniques can all influence how patients are evaluated and cared for.

Our goal at Family Chiropractic of Alexandria is to combine professional training with individualized care so each patient receives treatment that makes sense for their needs, movement, and health goals.