DPT or DO?

[WildCat5]

I am having an unbelievely difficult time in choosing which field I want to pursue. I was deadset on going back to my college in MO and finishing physical therapy prereqs in hope of getting in PT school 08. Now, I've been seeing a chiropracter and he went to Palmer. He told me that his opinion is somewhat biased but that chiros get clients sent to them from doctors direcly and he is able to perform invasive spinal surger I believe with his degree.

Not only that, but he said at Palmer he got the physiotherapy degree as well. so what exactly do I choose? I want to get up to 6 figures, but I don't want to be in debt from student loans forever. Please help me decide because in a few weeks i finish my personal training internship in Az and I either stay or go back to Missouri!

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[DOctorJay]

a chiropractor performing invasive spinal surgery huh, also got a PT degree??? time to pull out the hip boots

 

[Buckeye4life]

I am having an unbelievely difficult time in choosing which field I want to pursue. I was deadset on going back to my college in MO and finishing physical therapy prereqs in hope of getting in PT school 08. Now, I've been seeing a chiropracter and he went to Palmer. He told me that his opinion is somewhat biased but that chiros get clients sent to them from doctors direcly and he is able to perform invasive spinal surger I believe with his degree.

Not only that, but he said at Palmer he got the physiotherapy degree as well. so what exactly do I choose? I want to get up to 6 figures, but I don't want to be in debt from student loans forever. Please help me decide because in a few weeks i finish my personal training internship in Az and I either stay or go back to Missouri!

I don't think you're a troll, so I'll try to answer your question. First, a D.O. is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. They are the legal equivalent of an M.D. who are able to practice the full scope of medicine, which includes prescribing medication and performing surgery. D.O.s are also trained in additional O.M.T.(osteopathic manipulative treatment) which is a form of manual therapy to relieve pain, restore alignment in the body, and retore function. A chiropractor, or D.C. is a Doctor of Chiropractic, focus on realignment of the spine through adjustments, and they are not allowed by law to prescribe drugs or perform surgery. It's actually part of their credence that chiropractic care is a form of treatment that is drug and sugery free. While I have not gone to chiropractic school, I know they do receive some education on rehabilitation, however, the chiropractors I have come across may know some of the theory behind physical therapy, they actually don't know much in terms of actually rehabing a patient. Part of this is because they don't have the time to spend with the patient. Nonetheless, chiropractic schools only issue the D.C. degree and a MPT or DPT can only be awarded from an accredited school of physical therapy.

Chiropractors do get some referrals from medical doctors (MD/DO), but most must rely on gaining clients straight from the general public. There is actually quite a bit of discord between medical doctors and chiropractors, which keeps the two professions from referring to each other. Physical therapists are allowed in almost all states to see patients directly, however, PTs almost entirely see patients who have been referred by a physician. Actually in Ohio, chiropractors are one of the groups who are able to refer to physical therapists, but it is not that common. As for making 6 figures, you'll be hard pressed to make that as a PT, but you may find it simarly as difficult to make that as a chiropractor.

As for deciding between PT or DC, I wouldn't let anyone on this forum make that kind of decision for yourself. It's just too big a choice with too many variables. However, you have definitely been getting some misinformation from somewhere. Much success in whatever you choose.

 

[Grue1some]

You want six easy figures? D.O. is the way to go .

D.O. Salary

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctor_of_Osteopathic_Medicine_(DO)/Salary

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/486/Osteopathic-Physician.html

http://www.healthcare-trainingcenter.com/jobs-osteopathy.asp


Chiropractor Salary

http://www.planetc1.com/chiropractic-articles/salary/chiropractor_salary_pg3.html

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chiropractor/Salary

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000071.html

Physical Therapist Salary

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000015.html

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist/Salary

http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft80.shtml

http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/faqs/ptsalary.php

 

[WildCat5]

Thank you all for your help. I talked with a guy out here in the Phoenix area who is an established chiropractor with a partnership. He really supports Palmer Chiropractic College obviously because he went there.

Honestly, I could probably be happy with 80K a year and I think if i put the work into it and got my own practice I could get that as a DPT. I'm just totally at a loss of what to do and I want to finish my undergrad ASAP. I've thought about medicine but it would be very rigorous.

And yes, sorry, I meant to put DC instead of DO.

 

[WildCat5]

Also, is physiotherapy a whole lot different from physical therapy? I know both require grad school but what's the benefit of doing one over the other?

 

[Grue1some]

Physical therapy (or physiotherapy[1]) is the provision of services to people and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. It includes the provision of services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by the process of aging or that of injury or disease. The method of physical therapy sees full and functional movement as at the heart of what it means to be healthy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy

 

[PT2MD]

Also, is physiotherapy a whole lot different from physical therapy? I know both require grad school but what's the benefit of doing one over the other?

Physiotherapy is the european version of physical therapy. They are synonymous and no different in terms of training. Please do your research and talk to several people in the fields you are interested in. Also shadowing helps as well.

You mentioned your chiropractor got a degree in physiotherapy at Palmer. I looked into the Palmer website and couldn't find any degrees in physiotherapy, but it is possible I didn't look hard enough. I might ask your chiropractor friend to produce his degree and ask him how he found the training.

As for six figures? You will have a very challenging time getting that in physical therapy, but please don't use that as your only motivation. Nothing can subsitute for your own footwork in determining your career path.

 

[WildCat5]

Alright,thank you. He got a duel degree in chiro and physio at Palmer in California. One of the guys who worked at his clinic, is like on his 4th day at Palmer right now. I'm gonna keep asking him questions, he works at www.backfit.com That is the name of the rehab/chiro place.

 

[PT2MD]

Where on the Palmer website does it have a "physio" or "rehab" degree. I think you may either misunderstand or are being mislead. Physical therapy degrees can only be awarded from a physical therapy program.

 

[Grue1some]

Alright,thank you. He got a duel degree in chiro and physio at Palmer in California. One of the guys who worked at his clinic, is like on his 4th day at Palmer right now. I'm gonna keep asking him questions, he works at www.backfit.com That is the name of the rehab/chiro place.

Maybe private message PT2MD with the chiro's name and number and have PT2MD call the chiro.

 

[PT2MD]

Maybe private message PT2MD with the chiro's name and number and have PT2MD call the chiro.

That would likely be a brief conversation. I've never seen an accredited dual degree program for chiro/physio. A more likely scenario is the DC degree and a physio "certification". It would have the same credibility as a physio program with a DC "certification". Either way, sounds like Wildcat is either a troll (I truly hope not), naive, or easily led.

 

[WildCat5]

That would likely be a brief conversation. I've never seen an accredited dual degree program for chiro/physio. A more likely scenario is the DC degree and a physio "certification". It would have the same credibility as a physio program with a DC "certification". Either way, sounds like Wildcat is either a troll (I truly hope not), naive, or easily led.

Alright I guess I was being misled, I honestly believe physical therapy is a better career because a lot of people think chiros are a scam. I honestly believe in PT much more than chiro as a superior rehab career, but I wont' judge just yet.

I'm on here to ask questions and learn, so don't label me as a troll I am not that.

 

[pharmer_john]

What jumps out at me is that in the midwest near where I am a DC actually averages less than a PT. But you also have to take into acount that most PTs work for clinics and hospitals that provide insurance and retirement benefits, while DCs are often self-employed and must provide their own.

Include the cost of school and I am not sure how DC survives. My son is considering DPT and he can go to our state school for DPT for about 1/5th a DC program. Food for thought indeed.

You want six easy figures? D.O. is the way to go .

D.O. Salary

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctor_of_Osteopathic_Medicine_(DO)/Salary

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/486/Osteopathic-Physician.html

http://www.healthcare-trainingcenter.com/jobs-osteopathy.asp


Chiropractor Salary

http://www.planetc1.com/chiropractic-articles/salary/chiropractor_salary_pg3.html

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chiropractor/Salary

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000071.html

Physical Therapist Salary

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000015.html

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist/Salary

http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft80.shtml

http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/faqs/ptsalary.php

 

[Husker DPT]

I really would try to sway you on this one, don't go into chiropractic. Here's a short list why:
1. Chiropractic schools state 'our classes are just as hard'. The reason the curriculum is 'beefed up' with pathology, etc.. is simply to increase the student time commitment to the program, thus increase and justify the subsequent student loan/financial commitment (as much as med students, low to mid 6 figures incidentally - and why not? It's just as hard you would hear you chiropractor say) as well as to market to would be victims like you to make the profession seem like a feasible and accepted medical practice. If that chiropractor refers you, also, he may receive a financial incentive. I am not talking about a conspiracy theory, this is how it is.
2. Chiropractic students either work for themselves or work for another chiropractor. They are not employed by hospitals, etc... That means no benefits, long hours, and a lot of shady business marketing to bolster the referral base. Now imagine the above scenario, with excessive student loans. To be successful usually means putting patients on 'wellness plans' (see me 1x/week for the next 3 years, prepay now for 7000 dollars) and excessively billing the ever loving **** out of their insurance. Often times fraud. Not a conspiracy theory here either.
3. Prospering false paradigms. Subluxation theory of spinal segments that require 'adjusting' that only the 'skilled hands of a chiropractor' can perform in particular.
4. Those income stats are not accurate for chiropractic. I have read as high as a 1 to 2/5 chiropractic attrition rate ("I quit!") within five years of graduation due to extreme poverty and fraudulent activity witnessed. Those salary stats are limited to those who report, and the chiropractic salary esp. do not reflect those graduates who left the field.
5. Their is no chiropractic physiotherapy degree. The profession has invented, literally, several certifications for marketing to unsuspecting patients and would-be students (usually listed in the phone book and on their advertisements if you're interested). These are not limited to physiotherapy, but also neurology, radiology, sports rehab. and many other medical fields. These are marketed, it's true, to students as the following, ''you'll be a referral source and respected by medical physicians 'cause they will need your valuable expertise".
I could go on for 2 hours. I probably seem biased, but I get irritated from my experience 'wading through it'. PM me with any other questions if you would like or just postem. Also, visit chirotalk.com for further info.

 

[Grue1some]

I really would try to sway you on this one, don't go into chiropractic. Here's a short list why:
1. Chiropractic schools state 'our classes are just as hard'. The reason the curriculum is 'beefed up' with pathology, etc.. is simply to increase the student time commitment to the program, thus increase and justify the subsequent student loan/financial commitment (as much as med students, low to mid 6 figures incidentally - and why not? It's just as hard you would hear you chiropractor say) as well as to market to would be victims like you to make the profession seem like a feasible and accepted medical practice. If that chiropractor refers you, also, he may receive a financial incentive. I am not talking about a conspiracy theory, this is how it is.
2. Chiropractic students either work for themselves or work for another chiropractor. They are not employed by hospitals, etc... That means no benefits, long hours, and a lot of shady business marketing to bolster the referral base. Now imagine the above scenario, with excessive student loans. To be successful usually means putting patients on 'wellness plans' (see me 1x/week for the next 3 years, prepay now for 7000 dollars) and excessively billing the ever loving **** out of their insurance. Often times fraud. Not a conspiracy theory here either.
3. Prospering false paradigms. Subluxation theory of spinal segments that require 'adjusting' that only the 'skilled hands of a chiropractor' can perform in particular.
4. Those income stats are not accurate for chiropractic. I have read as high as a 1 to 2/5 chiropractic attrition rate ("I quit!") within five years of graduation due to extreme poverty and fraudulent activity witnessed. Those salary stats are limited to those who report, and the chiropractic salary esp. do not reflect those graduates who left the field.
5. Their is no chiropractic physiotherapy degree. The profession has invented, literally, several certifications for marketing to unsuspecting patients and would-be students (usually listed in the phone book and on their advertisements if you're interested). These are not limited to physiotherapy, but also neurology, radiology, sports rehab. and many other medical fields. These are marketed, it's true, to students as the following, ''you'll be a referral source and respected by medical physicians 'cause they will need your valuable expertise".
I could go on for 2 hours. I probably seem biased, but I get irritated from my experience 'wading through it'. PM me with any other questions if you would like or just postem. Also, visit chirotalk.com for further info.

LTD or Lieutenant DAN~~~Read this post......

 

[WildCat5]

I really would try to sway you on this one, don't go into chiropractic. Here's a short list why:
1. Chiropractic schools state 'our classes are just as hard'. The reason the curriculum is 'beefed up' with pathology, etc.. is simply to increase the student time commitment to the program, thus increase and justify the subsequent student loan/financial commitment (as much as med students, low to mid 6 figures incidentally - and why not? It's just as hard you would hear you chiropractor say) as well as to market to would be victims like you to make the profession seem like a feasible and accepted medical practice. If that chiropractor refers you, also, he may receive a financial incentive. I am not talking about a conspiracy theory, this is how it is.
2. Chiropractic students either work for themselves or work for another chiropractor. They are not employed by hospitals, etc... That means no benefits, long hours, and a lot of shady business marketing to bolster the referral base. Now imagine the above scenario, with excessive student loans. To be successful usually means putting patients on 'wellness plans' (see me 1x/week for the next 3 years, prepay now for 7000 dollars) and excessively billing the ever loving **** out of their insurance. Often times fraud. Not a conspiracy theory here either.
3. Prospering false paradigms. Subluxation theory of spinal segments that require 'adjusting' that only the 'skilled hands of a chiropractor' can perform in particular.
4. Those income stats are not accurate for chiropractic. I have read as high as a 1 to 2/5 chiropractic attrition rate ("I quit!") within five years of graduation due to extreme poverty and fraudulent activity witnessed. Those salary stats are limited to those who report, and the chiropractic salary esp. do not reflect those graduates who left the field.
5. Their is no chiropractic physiotherapy degree. The profession has invented, literally, several certifications for marketing to unsuspecting patients and would-be students (usually listed in the phone book and on their advertisements if you're interested). These are not limited to physiotherapy, but also neurology, radiology, sports rehab. and many other medical fields. These are marketed, it's true, to students as the following, ''you'll be a referral source and respected by medical physicians 'cause they will need your valuable expertise".
I could go on for 2 hours. I probably seem biased, but I get irritated from my experience 'wading through it'. PM me with any other questions if you would like or just postem. Also, visit chirotalk.com for further info.

Hey bro I really appreciate it. I went in today for my adjustments and told him I was heading back home to finish up prereqs for physical therapy and he said if I have a passion for chiro and PT I should look into Palmer where he got "a physiotherapy" degree as well. I've checked into Palmer West and I still don't see anything about a physiotherapy degree. oh well, I love that guy lol. I want to be a PT b/c I am fascinated with the muscles and all. respond back I like your responses!

 

[ONstudentPT]

Hey bro I really appreciate it. I went in today for my adjustments and told him I was heading back home to finish up prereqs for physical therapy and he said if I have a passion for chiro and PT I should look into Palmer where he got "a physiotherapy" degree as well. I've checked into Palmer West and I still don't see anything about a physiotherapy degree. oh well, I love that guy lol. I want to be a PT b/c I am fascinated with the muscles and all. respond back I like your responses!

Is this for real? In what world could you get a physiotherapy degree from a private chiro college? You are kidding right?

 

[ProZackMI]

I am having an unbelievely difficult time in choosing which field I want to pursue. I was deadset on going back to my college in MO and finishing physical therapy prereqs in hope of getting in PT school 08. Now, I've been seeing a chiropracter and he went to Palmer. He told me that his opinion is somewhat biased but that chiros get clients sent to them from doctors direcly and he is able to perform invasive spinal surger I believe with his degree.

Not only that, but he said at Palmer he got the physiotherapy degree as well. so what exactly do I choose? I want to get up to 6 figures, but I don't want to be in debt from student loans forever. Please help me decide because in a few weeks i finish my personal training internship in Az and I either stay or go back to Missouri!

If you want money, a full range of medical knowledge and privileges, and potential to specialize in numerous fields, get an MD or DO.

If you want to be a PT...well...

 

[WildCat5]

If you want money, a full range of medical knowledge and privileges, and potential to specialize in numerous fields, get an MD or DO.

If you want to be a PT...well...

I'm not going into medicine, i don't have the desire and there are many other ways to make money. idk if ur dissing PT but it is a noble career and a job that will always be around and I plan on traveling with it. A comfortable living is all I really desire because in the end you can't take your money with you.