What Training Do Chiropractors Actually Go Through?
Last week a patient curiously asked us “what training does a Chiropractor go through?” It made us think at Oakfield Chiropractic that this was a fair question, especially when it comes to choosing a professional to treat your spine, joint and nervous system.
In the UK, Chiropractors are a highly-regulated healthcare profession. We go through years of rigorous training, before we can practice, and our education covers much more than just “popping spines!”
How Long Does It Take to Become a Chiropractor?
Qualifying as a Chiropractor in the UK takes 4-5 years, to obtain a Master’s degree in Chiropractic, at an accredited university.
Our training includes proficiency in:
- Anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics: In-depth knowledge of the human body
- Neurology: How the nervous system interacts with pain and movement of the body
- Orthopaedics: Assessment of joints, bones, and soft tissues
- Radiology and Imaging: Safe use of X-rays or MRI, when it is clinically appropriate
- Clinical Skills: How to assess, diagnose and treat patients
- Rehabilitation and Exercise Prescription: not just hands on treatment, but also movement re-training.
By the time Chiropractic graduates finish, they will have completed over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice with real patients. That’s a solid foundation before even stepping into clinical practice.
So, Who Regulates Chiropractors?
The term Chiropractic/Chiropractor is protected by UK Law. This means that no one else can call themselves a Chiropractor, unless they have achieved the correct level of training and are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). This is the equivalent of the GMC for doctors, or the GDC for dentists.
The GCC ensures that chiropractors:
- Meet the correct educational standards needed to practice
- Follow an evidence-based Code of Practice
- Complete yearly CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
How Does Chiropractic Training Compare to Physiotherapy or Osteopathy?
This is another question that we tend to get asked at clinic. Patients want to know how chiropractors compare to similar professions. Whilst there is some overlap between the three, the differences tend to be:
- Chiropractors: Train extensively in manual therapy techniques, to treat the spine and other joints, as well as the nervous system. They often combined this with rehab exercises.
- Physiotherapists: Have a broader NHS-based role, with a strong emphasis on exercise prescription and post-surgical recovery.
- Osteopaths: They have a similar manual therapy tradition, training hours and techniques may differ.
The important takeaway is that all three professions are regulated, degree-level professionals. The decision is a personal one for a patient, based upon the clinic’s approach and the patient’s needs.
Why Does Training Matter for You, the Patient
When you see a Chiropractor in Edinburgh, you want to have reassurance that the care you are receiving is safe and effective. By knowing that your Chiropractor has:
- Degree-level training (4-5 years)
- An extensive number of hours invested into clinical experience, prior to graduating
- Strict, on-going CPD requirements for practitioners
You can rest easy, knowing that the Chiropractors here at Oakfield Chiropractic have undergone years of training, they are regulated by law and they keep up to date with the latest research and training, every year.
Here at Oakfield, we put all that knowledge and training to work in a way that is personalised, evidence-based and designed to help patients move and feel better.
Curious about how that training gets put into action? Click to book in your first consultation today and see how the Chiropractors at Oakfield can help you.
