DO/Chiropractor

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Hmm ... good question/observation. However, in my opinion chiro is a really bad profession to get into at the moment because everyone is doing it so its tough to really make a good career out of it. A DO who also practices though might be interesting. However, I'm fairly certain it's at least two more years of training and I'm not personally aware of any dual programs at DO schools.
 
There is no reason to pursue a dual degree, a DO can do anything a DC can. You just have to go to seminars and do outside learning to gain the knowledge DCs have. DCs have 2.5 years of course work where they have atleast 2 techniques classes each trimester plus the whole last year is spent in clinic mastering these skills. DCs def. get more education in manipulation, but like it was mentioned, it is hard to earn a decent "honest" living without signing everyone up to a long term treatment plan. i spent a year in DC school before a car accident and surgery sidelined me and now I am applying to DO school. I know many DCs and believe in the positive effects manipulation can have but I also know there are limitations which is why i want to pursue DO. If you have any specific questions you can pm me.
 
3 posts so far and all are completely innacurate.

I would suggest researching some sources outside of the infinite wisdom of SDN.
 
Agreed with JP! You should look more into OMM, which is different from chiropractic manipulation. Also, DO's are required to take OMM throughout their training, not just for one year. In my opinion, do some research, if you are interested in chiropractics, do that, it's fast and easy. If you want to become a physician, go for the DO. But I can't imagine any respectable DO actually wanting to pursue a DC.
 
To correct the previous posters, DC's spend 3 1/3 years at an approved chiropractic school to be eligible for the national board exams (NBCE Parts I-IV and PT).

For approximately the first two years of chiropractic school, you will primarily be involved with academics. They do give you 1-2 hours of the day for a chiropractic adjusting class, but that is just usually a bone they toss you to keep your interest up. Near the end of school, you will work in a student clinic and then an outpatient clinic to refine your techniques. The academics in chiropractic school are more similar than they are different to the first 2 years of medical school. Obviously each has a different emphasis. The 3rd and 4th years are when medical students pass chiropractors up for good.

When you apply for your state license, the state will check to see what chiropractic school you've been to, how long you attended, if you met the course requirements, and your NBCE scores. There is no way to get a license, or even be eligible for the board exams, without spending years in a chiropractic school.

Even if you want to focus your practice on adjusting/OMM, you can attend seminars that will give you insight into additional techniques. It's really not that hard to master adjusting techniques. It just takes a little practice. Everything considered, I would advise you to go D.O. and to not look back.
 
This thread should be closed
 
Kateb4 said:
If you want to become a physician, go for the DO. But I can't imagine any respectable DO actually wanting to pursue a DC.
Click to expand...


That's the bottom line 😀
 
kill this thread. best example of pre-meds talkin' about stuff they dont know about today. i was there once, and im glad im past that stage.
 
Please do plenty of research before making a decision. I've written several posts on the Rehab Sciences forum regarding chiropractic. I would encourage you to read some of my posts as well as D.D. Palmer's (founder of chiropractic) writings to learn just how out of sync the profession is with reality.

PT's and chiropractors often battle over the same turf, and I've worked hard to educate patients and even other providers regarding the differences between our professions. I think you will find many similar contrasts between the chiro's and DO's.

I firmly believe that if you are practicing chiropractor, you are either don't have a firm grip on reality or you are a charlatan. The entire profession is based on a fundamental misrepresentation of human anatomy and biomechanics. There are some who are trying to steer away from Palmer's dogmatic subluxation theory, but the profession has a long way to go before coming close to the osteopathic profession.

I cannot claim to understand the tenets of osteopathic manipulation, however I feel confident that they are much more in phase with modern medicine and, more importantly, reality. I would encourage you to do as much research as possible. You will discover in short order that chiropractic and osteopathic have much less in common than you initially realized.
 
I'll agree with some of that. chiro's probably have at least SOME function though - so dont totally disregard it. Now do I trust anyone willing to give me a free exam? Not particularly. I think there is some good inherent in the profession, but its marred so badly by its bad press and scum (all professions have them) that its got this awful stigma. I know several chiro students...I respect what they do until they tell me that we are essentially doing the same job. I dont think so. I may be an "osteopath" but I am also a "physician". OMT only goes so far, and is more of an accessory to many DO's rather than the crux of their work. You are a "chiropractor" and also a "strong-handed masseuse". I can do important things like 'treat patients' while you can 'pop my back', "doctor". Also - PT is the real deal - you do important stuff that is relevant and I think that job is worthwhile. PT>>>>Chiro.

I cant believe this thing is still alive
 
I can certainly agree with that point of view Lamont. I think threads like this are helpful as long as they don't degrade into flame wars. A mature discussion of issues like this can educate folks that are considering careers as a physician, physical therapist, or even chiropractor. It would be nice to see more threads like it, but unfortunately many folks can't sustain such a discourse without mudslinging.

The more I've learned about osteopathic medicine, the more I think I would enjoy the curriculum - particularly coming from the background of physical therapy. Moreover, learning more about osteopathic has made me an even stronger opponent of sham medical treatments such as those often utilized by chiropractors.

I hope that all medical students will grow to recognize the importance of protecting their profession against outside threats. Osteopaths have the high ground on training and clinical skills, but no one sells their profession more slickly (that a word?) than the chiropractors. Please learn and be ready to answer questions about why your services are far superior to those offered by the average chiropractor. It's not flaming or bashing if presented in a logical manner. I would welcome any discussion on this topic.
 
PT2MD said:
I hope that all medical students will grow to recognize the importance of protecting their profession against outside threats. Osteopaths have the high ground on training and clinical skills, but no one sells their profession more slickly (that a word?) than the chiropractors. Please learn and be ready to answer questions about why your services are far superior to those offered by the average chiropractor. It's not flaming or bashing if presented in a logical manner. I would welcome any discussion on this topic.
Click to expand...

Defensiveness is only necessary when there is something to defend against, when there is a real threat. However, there is really nothing to defend here and nothing really meaningful to discuss. There's no threat. DO's are physicians, DC's are not. In general, they play different roles in the healthcare scheme. The two aren't even readily comparable unless we constrain ourselves to the context of pure manipulative medicine. Thus, I don't see any need to prove my services superior to a chiropractor. The services offered by the two are different, for the most part. If you want medical treatment, go to a physician, and a chiropractor is certainly not a physician. That's the end of story.

Anyway, instead of concerning ourselves with defending, protecting, or other professions, let us more importantly raise the level of our own education, practice and profession. That's much more effective, in my opinion, than many other things that can be done.

Just my 2 cents on the issue.
 
Wow... is all I can say in reading some of the previous posts. I am a current 2nd year medical student at an osteopathic (DO) school and from what I've seen, both chiropractors and osteopaths are both skilled and can equally perform manipulations for patients but I think the main difference lies in emphasis during their academic training-- more credits placed in different classes. You have to keep in mind that chiropracti came from osteopathic medicine.

I have a chiropractor (DC) currently in my class and his training from that background has helped him more quickly learn the skills of a DO. In his opinion, he has also felt that there are more oportunities with being a DO because you can treat not just the musculoskeletal component. However, I am not belittling DC's at all... in fact, our OMM professors come to this student as well to exchange different techniques for treating the same ailment.

So long story short without the comments posted previously, do more research, attend some OMM workshops, visit schools, to learn more but it is possible to incorporate and there are people who do want to pursue both DC and DO practices.
 
spicedmanna said:
Defensiveness is only necessary when there is something to defend against, when there is a real threat. However, there is really nothing to defend here and nothing really meaningful to discuss. There's no threat. DO's are physicians, DC's are not. In general, they play different roles in the healthcare scheme. The two aren't even readily comparable unless we constrain ourselves to the context of pure manipulative medicine. Thus, I don't see any need to prove my services superior to a chiropractor. The services offered by the two are different, for the most part. If you want medical treatment, go to a physician, and a chiropractor is certainly not a physician. That's the end of story.

Anyway, instead of concerning ourselves with defending, protecting, or other professions, let us more importantly raise the level of our own education, practice and profession. That's much more effective, in my opinion, than many other things that can be done.

Just my 2 cents on the issue.
Click to expand...

I agree with you in principle. However, professions that encroach upon others (e.g. chiropractors opening "rehab" centers and calling themselves "doctors") are indeed a threat to legitimate health care providers and shouldn't be taken lightly. Many continue to encourage manipulation vs vaccination, applied kinesiology as treatment for systemic pathology, and regular adjustments in the treatment of ADHD. These treatments often delay needed medical care and are a threat to unknowing patients. Secondly, they have a loyal following of patients often because of a well-presented but fundamentally flawed theory. Many still put physicians out there as the "bad guys" of the medical profession.

Lastly, they have strong lobbies through their close connection with trial lawyers, and are able to expand their sphere of influence without strong opposition. My profession has seen this happen and it has hurt us because we have a pretty weak PAC. Both the AMA and, I would assume, the AOA have strong enough PACs to keep the professions strong. In this sense you probably do have more important things to worry about. Just don't forget that just because they aren't on the same plane clinically, doesn't mean they can't legislate themselves into hurting other legitimate professions. My 2 yen.
 
PT2MD said:
Please learn and be ready to answer questions about why your services are far superior to those offered by the average chiropractor. I
Click to expand...

I am not too worried - I will work in a hospital and possess a medical license. that clown will work in an old pizza hut and give massages all day.

We each have happy endings. Mine is treating patients illnesses, his is well...you know.

👍
 
Lamont said:
I am not too worried - I will work in a hospital and possess a medical license. that clown will work in an old pizza hut and give massages all day.
We each have happy endings. Mine is treating patients illnesses, his is well...you know.
Click to expand...
This is really unnecessary, I think.
It reeks of being defensive and of putting down others to make yourself look better. 👎
I'm an incoming D.O. - and I definitely know the difference between a D.O. and a chiropractor, as most of us do. But the above insulting message is just uncalled for, IMHO.
 
Lamont said:
I am not too worried - I will work in a hospital and possess a medical license. that clown will work in an old pizza hut and give massages all day.

We each have happy endings. Mine is treating patients illnesses, his is well...you know.

👍
Click to expand...
Holy ego, batman. That's not cool.

We're all generally happy people around here - take it easy, now. . . .
 
Yeah...definitely don't want it to get ugly. Out.
 
I have been a chiropractor for almost 27 years. It must be very discouraging for prospective chiropractic students to read the negative articles here. Sure, there is plenty wrong with the way many chiropractors promote themselves. But making a good living in chiropractic can be done if you're willing to be honest with yourself. If you feel like a crook, you'll practice like a crook. In my early career I narrowed by focus to treating headaches and became successful with that. I never thought I had to be everything to everyone. Why? Because I'm not. Please don't let anyone intimidate you into thinking if you don't accept the subluxation theory then you're out of the fold and betraying your peers. Those are the real losers. The ones who think they're always right.
You won't be happy implementing marketing strategies that go against your grain, like those demeaning spinal screanings in shopping malls. I'd rather die.
If I tell you what I did to get tons of patients you wouldn't believe me anyway, so I'm not going to bother. I will tell you this--it never cost me more than $100 a year. And it is so easy. And no, I don't sell a management program. I am retired. I fish and play chess and spend time with my family. I'm not interested in any business.
SE
 
NM I agree with Spiced.
 
Subluxation = not real...this falsehood is what Chiropractic is based upon. You also find DC's selling a lot of vitamins and extracts at a 300% mark up from what you can get at the grocery store. I actually had one try to use Applied Kinesiology on me. Google that one and tell me it ain't BS. What DC's lack in knowledge, they make up for with snake oil. They actually lobbied for prescribing privileges a while back. Guess what the AMA and AOA had to say about that one....
 
DocRawk said:
Subluxation = not real...this falsehood is what Chiropractic is based upon. You also find DC's selling a lot of vitamins and extracts at a 300% mark up from what you can get at the grocery store. I actually had one try to use Applied Kinesiology on me. Google that one and tell me it ain't BS. What DC's lack in knowledge, they make up for with snake oil. They actually lobbied for prescribing privileges a while back. Guess what the AMA and AOA had to say about that one....
Click to expand...

right on brother...right on.
 
I work in PT and I may be biased but I can boldly state that chiropractors hurt as many people as they heal! Difference between them and a DO is that a DO knows when manual medicine is limited whereas the chiro thinks he/she can fix any problem by cracking your back. 👎
 
patrickd223 said:
I work in PT and I may be biased but I can boldly state that chiropractors hurt as many people as they heal! Difference between them and a DO is that a DO knows when manual medicine is limited whereas the chiro thinks he/she can fix any problem by cracking your back. 👎
Click to expand...


Unfortunately, I agree here based on personal experience. I was once young and misinformed, went to a chiro for an injury, and I'm still paying for it slightly. Can't wait to see if OMM will tone things down. 👍
 
Also to point out that Chiropractory was founded on ideas from a guy who flunked out of DO school (or expelled i have heard different version)
 
patrickd223 said:
I work in PT and I may be biased but I can boldly state that chiropractors hurt as many people as they heal! Difference between them and a DO is that a DO knows when manual medicine is limited whereas the chiro thinks he/she can fix any problem by cracking your back. 👎
Click to expand...

Exactly...because DO's are full-fledged physicians they dont feel the need to try and cure everything with manipulation if other more proven conventional methods can effectively do the job (ie. drugs/surgery). In fact, only 5% of DO's even use OMT in their practice. Because Chiropractors are limited by law in their practice, Most will suggest some sort of manipulation even if the effectiveness is minimal sometimes hurtful because they have no other method to treat. There
 
patrickd223 said:
I work in PT and I may be biased but I can boldly state that chiropractors hurt as many people as they heal! Difference between them and a DO is that a DO knows when manual medicine is limited whereas the chiro thinks he/she can fix any problem by cracking your back. 👎
Click to expand...

Exactly...because DO's are full-fledged physicians they dont feel the need to try and cure everything with manipulation if other more proven conventional methods can effectively do the job (ie. drugs/surgery). In fact, only 5% of DO's even use OMT in their practice. Because Chiropractors are limited by law in their practice, Most will suggest some sort of manipulation even if the effectiveness is minimal sometimes hurtful because they have no other method to treat. If a patient goes to a chiropractor there is only ONE choice, and that is manipulation. If a patient goes to a DO, they can get OMT (when appropriate) or get conventional treament (drugs, surgery..etc).
 
JonnyG said:
Also to point out that Chiropractory was founded on ideas from a guy who flunked out of DO school (or expelled i have heard different version)
Click to expand...


That's exactly what I heard at the PCOM open house. Right after the 1st year student on the panel said a DO was an MD + Chiropractor combined...then the irrate fourth year had to set him straight
 
All this thread did was made me realize Dr JPH was banned??? This is a sad time for the DO forums on SDN🙁
 
JaggerPlate said:
All this thread did was made me realize Dr JPH was banned??? This is a sad time for the DO forums on SDN🙁
Click to expand...

I don't think he's banned. I think he doctored his alias display. Usually when somebody's banned you can't click on their alias to find their other posts. I could be wrong here.
 
I don't think he's banned. His alias has said that for a while, but his last post was Jan 2 08.
 
DrMidlife said:
I don't think he's banned. I think he doctored his alias display. Usually when somebody's banned you can't click on their alias to find their other posts. I could be wrong here.
Click to expand...

i think he did that because he was banned. i remember reading about it on one of the threads. people were arguing he should be let back on because he opinion is useful since he's been through it all and others thought he was too abrasive and an ***hole and bla bla bla.... apparently he was accepted back in to the SDN community though
 
ryserr21 said:
i think he did that because he was banned. i remember reading about it on one of the threads. people were arguing he should be let back on because he opinion is useful since he's been through it all and others thought he was too abrasive and an ***hole and bla bla bla.... apparently he was accepted back in to the SDN community though
Click to expand...

Why don't you click back on the link directly above your post!😎
 
JimT30 said:
Why don't you click back on the link directly above your post!😎
Click to expand...

haha. i'll try to be more observant next time. myyyyy bad. i thought i could get out of it by seeing when you posted that, b/c maybe we were posting around the same time, but then i saw that you posted at 730 am and i saw my escape route crushed...haha 🙁
 
Unfortunately SDN is filled with pre-meds who think they know everything and are therefore qualified to give advice to other pre-meds who have legit questions. JPH attempted to try to show these kids that they have no clue what they are talking about and should leave the "advice-giving" to people who have actually been through the process. As we all know, pre-meds hate being told they don't know something, hence they would complain about him. So now this forum is left with inexperienced college students giving other pre-meds advice based on what they've "heard."

IMHO, SDN should be a place for people to come for truthful advice, as blunt as it may be. This should not be a place where people are constantly reassured "you can do anything, you're the greatest, you're the smartest, I can't believe you've come this far, etc.." I just feel for the people who come here looking for honest, true information and instead are fed common myths or misinformation from students who are no further along in the process than they are.

In today's disgustingly overly sensitive society it seems as if people try to silence anyone who disagrees with what they have to say. I have never used the "report" button or complained about anyone in any internet forum. It's the equivalent of running to mommy and daddy and saying another kid said mean things to you. Who are you all going to complain to during third year when your surgery attending rips you a new one because you incorrectly stated the blood supply to the head of the pancreas? Oh wait, that's right. You'll come to SDN and whine to people here while everyone tells you "it's ok, don't worry about it, you're right and the doctor is wrong, you're the greatest, you're smart, you can do this, etc.."

Anyway, to keep this thread on topic so it doesn't get locked (another pet peeve of mine - locking threads because people don't like where it is going) I will reiterate what a couple of other people have said. In my opinion, chiropractors who know their limits and are not afraid to refer patients to physicians are very helpful. Just as a neurologist wouldn't try to perform a cardiac catheterization, I would hope a chiropractor would limit his practice to musculoskeletal-related issues. I admittedly don't have much knowledge of the practice of chiropracty outside of OMM we DO's learn, but I think if there was some kind of governing board that watched over the chiropractic profession and made sure they didn't try to practice outside of their scope of medicine then you'd see chiropractors gain a whole lot more respect.
 
J1515 said:
... So now this forum is left with inexperienced college students giving other pre-meds advice based on what they've "heard." ...
Click to expand...

Interesting post. I appreciated that you took the time to lay out your thoughts. However, there are residents and 3rd & 4th years (and, of course, some of the admin staff regularly put in their 2 cents) who regularly visit the pre-osteo forum. It's not just the blind leading the blind.

Besides, we can learn a lot from our peers, especially those who take the time to construct a sound argument and support it, if possible, with evidence.
 
Jack Daniel said:
Interesting post. I appreciated that you took the time to lay out your thoughts. However, there are residents and 3rd & 4th years (and, of course, some of the admin staff regularly put in their 2 cents) who regularly visit the pre-osteo forum. It's not just the blind leading the blind.

Besides, we can learn a lot from our peers, especially those who take the time to construct a sound argument and support it, if possible, with evidence.
Click to expand...

With all due respect, the only valuable evidence in my eyes is first hand experience. Someone can back up their opinion with a well constructed argument based on what their friend's uncle who is a pathologist told them, but I don't consider that fact until I've been on rotations or even better, through residency where I've been exposed to the practice of medicine and 100's of doctors.

There does seem to be fewer experienced posters here as they get further along in their education. That's why I think having as many DO residents here as possible is incredibly valuable. I know there are some students, but they don't have anywhere near the knowledge of a resident.
 
Jack Daniel said:
we can learn a lot from our peers, especially those who take the time to construct a sound argument and support it, if possible, with evidence.
Click to expand...

The "sound" arguments, unfortunately, are few and far between.

Otherwise, I agree with the last couple of posts here wholeheartedly. 👍
 
J1515 said:
With all due respect, the only valuable evidence in my eyes is first hand experience. Someone can back up their opinion with a well constructed argument based on what their friend's uncle who is a pathologist told them, ....
Click to expand...

Agreed. Someone who backs up their points with anecdotal evidence wouldn't be my choice of a strong argument, either.

Personally, I'm just as wary with single accounts of first-hand experience because it's just so easily influenced by perspective and bias. Now if several posters list the same or similar first-hand experience, now there's something I'll pay attention to. If they can back it up with data or another published source, even better.
 
Riker here. William T. Riker.

Being at P.C.O.M., I can honestly say that I was wrong. Chiropractors are nothing like osteopathic physicians. Chiropractors' jobs are actually well-delineated. Our profession is more of a mishmash of basic allopathic school and chiropractic constructs than anything else. The A.O.A. must address this problem. I suggest the original poster apply to M.D. schools; failing that, chiropractic. On a different note, did anyone notice the internet reception in Snyder near the carrels got really bad around November? 😕
 
CommanderRiker said:
Riker here. William T. Riker.

Being at P.C.O.M., I can honestly say that I was wrong. Chiropractors are nothing like osteopathic physicians. Chiropractors' jobs are actually well-delineated. Our profession is more of a mishmash of basic allopathic school and chiropractic constructs than anything else. The A.O.A. must address this problem. I suggest the original poster apply to M.D. schools; failing that, chiropractic. On a different note, did anyone notice the internet reception in Snyder near the carrels got really bad around November? 😕
Click to expand...

WTF are you talking about? Snyder isn't a building or auditorium at PCOM. :laugh: We have Evans, Rowland, and the Levin Admin building😕

And I disagree about it being a "mish-mash". First of all, you are unqualified to make the judgement seeing as you have no idea what "chiropractic constructs" actually are. Although I feel as though OMM is somewhat disjointed from the rest of the curriculum, they make it a point to let us know how it could be used in practice as a physician.

Sigh... I got baited by this troll again.
 
MaximusD said:
WTF are you talking about? Snyder isn't a building or auditorium at PCOM. :laugh: We have Evans, Rowland, and the Levin Admin building😕
Click to expand...

He doesn't go to PCOM. Stop feeding him.
 
CommanderRiker said:
Riker here. William T. Riker.

Being at P.C.O.M., I can honestly say that I was wrong. Chiropractors are nothing like osteopathic physicians. Chiropractors' jobs are actually well-delineated. Our profession is more of a mishmash of basic allopathic school and chiropractic constructs than anything else. The A.O.A. must address this problem. I suggest the original poster apply to M.D. schools; failing that, chiropractic. On a different note, did anyone notice the internet reception in Snyder near the carrels got really bad around November? 😕
Click to expand...

How in the hell have you not been banned?
 
MaximusD said:
WTF are you talking about? Snyder isn't a building or auditorium at PCOM. :laugh: We have Evans, Rowland, and the Levin Admin building😕

And I disagree about it being a "mish-mash". First of all, you are unqualified to make the judgement seeing as you have no idea what "chiropractic constructs" actually are. Although I feel as though OMM is somewhat disjointed from the rest of the curriculum, they make it a point to let us know how it could be used in practice as a physician.

Sigh... I got baited by this troll again.
Click to expand...

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm the library is named after synder. He can be a bit of a troll but I am pretty sure he goes to pcom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Science GPA for DO schools
Replies
4
Views
628
KellySmith24
K
Mr.Smile12
[NYT] What's a DO?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Angus Avagadro
Angus Avagadro
premed1234543212
DO Application Timeline
Replies
4
Views
5K
DrFutureDO
DrFutureDO
Mr.Smile12
Southwest Florida, you get a DO school!
Replies
4
Views
805
Ho0v-man
Ho0v-man
C
Do I have too many LOR?
Replies
3
Views
647
Goro
Goro
Top Bottom