Chiropractor
Chiropractors are primary healthcare professionals concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effect of these disorders on the functioning of the nervous system and general health.
Their aim is to relieve pain, increase mobility and to get patients back to full health and movement.
Treatment involves using the hands to apply a specific force to adjust the joints of the body. Chiropractors treat chronic and acute conditions which include back, shoulder and neck problems and joint, posture and muscle issues, as well as sports injuries.
The profession takes a holistic approach to the needs of patients, considering physical, psychological and social factors, and recognises the value of working with other healthcare practitioners. The treatment is designed to encourage the body’s natural healing process and it does not include surgery or drugs.
The majority of a chiropractor's time is spent in individual consultations. These consultations will involve diagnosis and treatment and include:
The title chiropractor is protected under law and all UK-based chiropractors must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), the statutory body responsible for regulating the practice of chiropractic in the UK.
The GCC sets the standard of education in chiropractic and all chiropractors must have graduated from an accredited institution before being accepted onto the GCC register. There are currently three GCC-recognised courses in the country:
The courses cover subjects such as anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, physiology, orthopaedics and diagnosis, as well as practical training in adjustment and supervised clinical training.
Graduates of any subject may be considered for entry, provided they can show an adequate background in science, normally three science A-levels or equivalent. Life and medical sciences qualifications may give some exemptions from professional/theoretical examinations. One-year preliminary chiropractic courses leading to the award of the Foundation Certificate in Chiropractic are available for applicants without the usual entry qualifications.
Candidates must have spent time observing in a clinical chiropractic setting. They must also show evidence of the following:
A driving licence is also useful for travel between practices.
Those wishing to enter the GCC register following a degree course must satisfy the GCC that they are of good character: chiropractic is a notifiable occupation, which means that candidates are required to provide a criminal record disclosure. They must also satisfy the GCC that they are physically and mentally fit and have professional indemnity insurance cover of at least £3million.
Graduates retraining may have to fund themselves and fees for courses vary: at the McTimoney College of Chiropractic, in the region of £5,475 per year; at the AECC, £3,375 per year for home/EU students; at the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, £3,290 per year. Awards may be available from local education authorities.
Adult entry is usual as life experience is an important asset. According to the GCC, 80% of chiropractors in the UK are aged over 30.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Those completing a course recognised by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) must undergo a one-year period of employed but supervised clinical practice work prior to final registration with the GCC. The majority of new entrants do this whilst working for an approved training practice; however, it is possible to do this whilst self-employed with the support of a GCC-approved supervisor or tutor.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is a mandatory requirement for chiropractors to re-register annually with the GCC. Chiropractors are required to undertake a minimum of 30 hours of documented self-directed learning per annum, half of which must involve interaction with colleagues. Failure to undergo CPD and comply with CPD requirements could lead to removal from the register.
The College of Chiropractors has a particular remit to support CPD. The College of Chiropractors and the recognised education providers offer courses that enable chiropractors to develop an area of particular interest. Seminars, conferences and professional journals organised by the four chiropractic associations - The College of Chiropractors , the GCC, the British Chiropractic Association and the United Chiropractic Association (UCA) - also help with CPD.
In addition, courses are provided by the McTimoney College of Chiropractic , the Anglo European College of Chiropractic (AECC) and The Welsh Institute of Chiropractic .
Many newly qualified chiropractors begin their career working for another chiropractor in private practice as an associate. However, with some experience, and a potential client base established, there are many opportunities to set up your own practice within the early stages of your career.
Some chiropractors work in a group practice, whilst others may work in a more diverse clinic with other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists. As chiropractic becomes increasingly established in the UK, there are also some opportunities for franchising and for locum work.
Chiropractors usually work on a generic basis seeing a wide range of patients and conditions. It is possible to develop more specialist skills and knowledge, such as in the treatment of:
Higher degrees and academic research opportunities are also available. Evidence of the effectiveness of treatment interventions is increasingly important. The chiropractic profession is increasingly being called on to provide evidence, through high-quality research, of what interventions work with which patients.
In the UK, chiropractors usually work in private practice, which may mean working from home or, more often, in an established private chiropractic clinic. In some areas, chiropractors may work across more than one clinic.
Chiropractic is becoming increasingly widely known and used, although it remains somewhat outside the mainstream health service. There are some opportunities for contract work with trusts of The National Health Service (NHS) - for more details see NHS - Complementary and Alternative Medicine . GP practice-based commissioning has enabled GP practices to commission healthcare services directly. Close working relationships with GPs may now, therefore, lead to contractual provision of chiropractic care to NHS patients.
There is currently high demand for qualified chiropractors and graduate employment rates are good. There continues to be capacity for growth in the profession, with chiropractic being one of the major growth areas of clinical practice.
The chiropractic profession in the UK is relatively small; there are just over 2,500 practising chiropractors. Networking, personal contacts and speculative applications are the most common and effective means of securing employment. Associate positions are often advertised in the three training establishments.
Recruitment agencies rarely handle vacancies.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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