Chiropractic

College: Graduate School of Health Sciences

The chiropractic specialty focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders and the impacts of these disorders on overall health. Students gain skills in chiropractic techniques, patient evaluation, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, clinical practice, and preparation for chiropractic careers in private practice, health clinics, sports medicine, and related fields.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the principles and philosophy of chiropractic care.
• Develop skills in spinal adjustment techniques.
• Learn patient evaluation and diagnostic procedures.
• Explore diagnostic imaging and interpretation.
• Analyze rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise techniques.
• Develop critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and patient management skills.
• Understand ethical considerations, professional standards, and legal aspects of chiropractic practice.

Main Outline:

1. Introduction to Chiropractic - An overview of chiropractic principles, philosophy, and history.
2. Chiropractic Adjustment Techniques - Various chiropractic adjustment techniques and their applications.
3. Patient Evaluation and Diagnosis - Methods for evaluating and diagnosing neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
4. Diagnostic Imaging - Principles of diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, MRI, and CT, and their interpretation.
5. Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Exercises - Rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise techniques to support chiropractic care.
6. Clinical Practice and Patient Management - Principles of clinical practice, patient management, and treatment planning.
7. Musculoskeletal Neurophysiology Anatomy - In-depth study of the musculoskeletal and neurophysiology systems and their functions.
8. Nutritional and Lifestyle Counseling - Principles of nutritional and lifestyle counseling to support overall health and wellness.
9. Ethical and Legal Considerations - Ethical considerations, professional standards, and legal aspects of chiropractic practice.
10. Clinical Training/Practical Experience - Hands-on experience in chiropractic environments, such as private practices, health clinics, or sports medicine facilities.
11. Capstone Project/Clinical Case Studies - A comprehensive project or clinical case studies applying chiropractic skills, such as developing a treatment plan, conducting a patient evaluation, or analyzing a complex case.

Assessment Methods:

• Presentations of spinal adjustment techniques, patient evaluation and diagnosis reports, interpretations of diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise plans, clinical practice and patient management projects, studies in musculoskeletal neurophysiology anatomy, nutritional and lifestyle counseling plans, articles on ethical considerations and legal aspects, clinical training reports, capstone projects/clinical case studies, group projects, and presentations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Introduction to Chiropractic" by various authors.
• "Spinal Adjustment Techniques" by various authors.
• "Patient Evaluation and Diagnosis" by various authors.
• "Diagnostic Imaging" by various authors.
• "Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Exercises" by various authors.
• "Clinical Practice and Patient Management" by various authors.
• "Musculoskeletal Neurophysiology Anatomy" by various authors.
• "Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling" by various authors.
• "Ethical and Legal Considerations" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology and an interest in health care and chiropractic.

Program Duration:

The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree program is typically a 4-year professional degree following the completion of a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate education.

Certification:

Graduates must pass national and state licensing exams to practice chiropractic. Certifications may include National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams and state-specific licensing requirements.

Target Audience:

Aspiring chiropractors, healthcare professionals, and individuals seeking to work in private chiropractic practices, health clinics, sports medicine facilities, and related fields. This specialty equips students with the clinical and practical skills needed to excel in the field of chiropractic care, supporting careers in various roles in healthcare, sports medicine, and related areas.