Talking about chiropractic in DO interview

[Cornfed101]

I think I already know the answer to this, but hear me out.

I attended a chiropractic college for my post bacc and was obviously exposed to a lot of people that thought it was great. My consensus is that it’s fine for lower back pain, but definitely won’t cure cancer (or do many of the other things they claim it does).

Anyway, my question is: if asked about “why DO?” in an interview would it be unwise to talk about how I’ve seen other forms of medicine that can be effective in certain situations and DO gives more tools than allopathic (specifically OMM) and I like that? Or would I be crucified for bringing up chiropractic?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[deleted480308]

Leave it alone

 

[Goro]

Leave it alone

/thread

 

[JoeUSA]

I think I already know the answer to this, but hear me out.

I attended a chiropractic college for my post bacc and was obviously exposed to a lot of people that thought it was great. My consensus is that it’s fine for lower back pain, but definitely won’t cure cancer (or do many of the other things they claim it does).

Anyway, my question is: if asked about “why DO?” in an interview would it be unwise to talk about how I’ve seen other forms of medicine that can be effective in certain situations and DO gives more tools than allopathic (specifically OMM) and I like that? Or would I be crucified for bringing up chiropractic?

"Leave it alone" is the correct answer. Don't say anything negative about another profession. Use positive words throughout the interview and in an essay.

 

[Cornfed101]

"Leave it alone" is the correct answer. Don't say anything negative about another profession. Use positive words throughout the interview and in an essay.

Oh that’s not what I meant at all. I was going to speak positively about chiropractic, but I didn’t know if DO adcoms have a really bad opinion of them and that would look bad on me.

 

[Shotapp]

Oh that’s not what I meant at all. I was going to speak positively about chiropractic, but I didn’t know if DO adcoms have a really bad opinion of them and that would look bad on me.

It will look bad. Don't in any way compare DOs OMM to chiropractors techniques.

 

[Cornfed101]

It will look bad. Don't in any way compare DOs OMM to chiropractors techniques.

Thank you. That was my question. I don't have any experience seeing DOs doing OMM, and I honestly thought it was similar to what chiros do. I won't bring it up.

 

[armoman898]

Lol, this is like the optometry vs ophthalmology war.

 

[Cornfed101]

Lol, this is like the optometry vs ophthalmology war.

What makes that comment even better is that I currently work in an eye practice for both Ophthalmologists and Optometrists 🤔

 

[armoman898]

What makes that comment even better is that I currently work in an eye practice for both Ophthalmologists and Optometrists 🤔

Yeah, both have their role in eye care, but they both like to step outside, and that’s where the trouble starts.

 

[KeikoTanaka]

I originally was pursuing Physical Therapy before pursuing Osteopathic school. In my interviews, I stated how shadowing PTs was an amazing experience, but having a hard science background, I was really looking for something that incorporated elements of PT while maintaining hard sciences in my everyday life. I ended up getting 3 interviews and accepted to 3 schools.

It's not about what you say necessarily - it's how you say it. Always striving for more - but never looking down on others.

 

[ShingoShingo]

Im going to go ahead and say the opposite as long as you are careful with what you say. I talked about chiropractic in both of my interviews with DO schools and got into both. I work in an orthopedic clinic that has a chiropractor as well and mentioned how he always told me he wanted me to go DO instead of MD. I also talked about how I liked what I see and learn a lot from him despite understanding that while they are both manipulative medicine they have their differences. Again I think its the context you discuss it but it didn't hurt me.

 

[getfat]

DO adcoms have a really bad opinion of them and that would look bad on me.

Some DOs get heated when you make any association with chiropractors. I feel like they take as like some kind of personal attack. Some ADCOMs can care less. The problem is you have no way in knowing what your ADCOM's stance on the matter.

Treat it like politics and "leave it alone"

 

[Cornfed101]

Some DOs get heated when you make any association with chiropractors. I feel like they take as like some kind of personal attack. Some ADCOMs can care less. The problem is you have no way in knowing what your ADCOM's stance on the matter.

Treat it like politics and "leave it alone"

Oh man, I was going to talk about politics...

 

[Medic741]

Oh that’s not what I meant at all. I was going to speak positively about chiropractic, but I didn’t know if DO adcoms have a really bad opinion of them and that would look bad on me.

10/10 don’t touch this in an interview. If you get into a school don’t bring it up. *never* goes well.

 

[JoeUSA]

Some DOs get heated when you make any association with chiropractors. I feel like they take as like some kind of personal attack. Some ADCOMs can care less. The problem is you have no way in knowing what your ADCOM's stance on the matter.

Treat it like politics and "leave it alone"

Yes. That is absolutely true. Osteopathic medicine does not want to be associated with or compared to "alternative healthcare." DOs spent a great deal of effort and time to get unlimited medical licenses. In order to do so, they had to demonstrate that they practice standard allopathic medicine with a different philosophy including OMT. The DOs had to separate themselves from being seen as an alternative medical practice. DOs want to be considered mainstream medicine. Being associated with or compared to alternative practices is a step backwards and evokes emotions in some DOs.

 

[Cornfed101]

I thought that chiropractic was a branch off of osteopathic medicine (developed independently, sort of), but did a little research and found the following referring to the difference between chiropractic and osteopathic medicine (the bolded sentence says it all). Just for reference, Palmer is the founder of chiropractic.

"Both described the body as a "machine" whose parts could be manipulated to produce a drugless cure. Both professed the use of spinal manipulation on joint dysfunction to improve health; chiropractors dubbed this manipulable lesion "subluxation" which interfered with the nervous system. Palmer drew further distinctions by noting that he was the first to use short-lever manipulative techniques using the spinous process and transverse processes as mechanical levers to spinal dysfunction/subluxation. Soon after, osteopaths began an American wide campaign proclaimed that chiropractic was a bastardized form of osteopathy and sought licensure to differentiate themselves. Although Palmer initially denied being trained by osteopathic medicine founder A.T. Still, in 1899 in papers held at the Palmer College of Chiropractic he wrote:

"Some years ago I took an expensive course in Electropathy, Cranial Diagnosis, Hydrotherapy, Facial Diagnosis. Later I took Osteopathy [which] gave me such a measure of confidence as to almost feel it unnecessary to seek other sciences for the mastery of curable disease. Having been assured that the underlying philosophy of chiropractic is the same as that of osteopathy...Chiropractic is osteopathy gone to seed."

Also, I love the quote at the end that he was like "hey, my adjustment worked so I don't need to know any other science!" There is over 100 years of rough history between these two groups. I get the memo. I will leave it alone!

 

[getfat]

Osteopathic medicine does not want to be associated with or compared to "alternative healthcare."

DOs want to be considered mainstream medicine.

I frequently hear these two quotations from some of the hardcore OMM guys.

If you want this then those people need to stop referring to everything as "osteopathic" or the "DO difference" lol. Most people assume doctor is everything from LPNs to MDs.

I can understand the rationale to be offended but its the same move Caribbean grads do. The "you hate us because you ant us" mentality doesn't help.

Sorry if it seems like I'm attacking you @JoeUSA because i'm not. Just specific parts of your helpful post gave me flashbacks haha.

 

[getfat]

chiropractic was a branch off of osteopathic medicine

Thats the funniest part because it is. There is rumors DD palmer was one of A.T. Still's students. Evidence. Our DO faculty even did a lecture talking about it and the differences between us and chiropractors. Yes theres differences but you can't get offended if some regular person gets them mixed up.

 

[Deecee2DO]

It will look bad. Don't in any way compare DOs OMM to chiropractors techniques.

Despite DOs thinking otherwise, OMM and chiro is extraordinarily similar (I know this because I am a chiropractor and a DO student)-they literally accomplish the same thing. Notice I am comparing OMM and chiro, not DOs and chiropractors which are the furthest from the same. However, OP should leave it alone on the off chance it strikes a chord with one of the adcoms.

 

[Deecee2DO]

10/10 don’t touch this in an interview. If you get into a school don’t bring it up. *never* goes well.

This just isn't true in my experience. My OMM professors know that I was a chiropractor before med school and have zero problem with it. We talk out MSK stuff all the time.

 

[Goro]

Hello, I am looking for some information about DC's going to MD/DO schools. I'm a current DC wanting to go to Med school to specialize in Radiology. Any advice that you can give me from application tips to residency? I will be grateful for any advice.

@Deecee2DO

 

[raddc]

Thanks. Already in touch with DeeceeDO.

 

[Deecee2DO]

ok is it bad to mention my mom being a chiropractor is one of the reasons i wanted to be a DO and learn OMM in the first place (which is true), or should i just leave the whole chiropractor thing alone

It shouldnt be a huge deal but make sure you preface that you understand they are different professions. Some DOs (mostly the OMM specialist DOs) get super butthurt when you compare them so on the off chance you get one interviewing you make sure you demonstrate you know the difference. But its not that crazy to tell them that it sparked your interest as OMM and chiro are extremely similar. A DO and a DC are however very different in scope of practice and training. One is a physician one is not. I wouldnt talk about this at length however as its better to play safe as ridiculous as it is

 

[Cornfed101]

ok is it bad to mention my mom being a chiropractor is one of the reasons i wanted to be a DO and learn OMM in the first place (which is true), or should i just leave the whole chiropractor thing alone

Be able to answer "why not DC?"

 

[getfat]

ok is it bad to mention my mom being a chiropractor is one of the reasons i wanted to be a DO and learn OMM in the first place (which is true), or should i just leave the whole chiropractor thing alone

It's not terrible to talk about something like that. I mentioned a family member who is a nurse practitioner that convinced me to apply DO.

Just be aware the first f/u question I always got was "why not nursing".

 

[Roxas]

ok is it bad to mention my mom being a chiropractor is one of the reasons i wanted to be a DO and learn OMM in the first place (which is true), or should i just leave the whole chiropractor thing alone

Chiro is a dirty word at a lot of DO schools.

You could use the chiro aspect as a springboard for your interest in health sciences, otherwise I'd leave it alone.

 

[cantankerous]

My school has some professors that went to chiropractic school, so I suppose it's not a total adversarial relationship between OMM and chiro... if you have to talk about it, tell them that chiro is based off the teachings of AT Still and your interest in the "real" physical medicine, OMM.

 

[DO2015CA]

My school has some professors that went to chiropractic school, so I suppose it's not a total adversarial relationship between OMM and chiro... if you have to talk about it, tell them that chiro is based off the teachings of AT Still and your interest in the "real" physical medicine, OMM.

wait a minute, there are medical schools with chiropractors as faculty?? Which one is this

 

[Deecee2DO]

wait a minute, there are medical schools with chiropractors as faculty?? Which one is this

Probably dual degree MD, DCs or DO, DCs is my guess. I wouldnt see why they would have a DC as faculty lol