Hey guys, Shana here getting an adjustment and learning about life as a chiropractor.
[ Music ] That's the sound of chiropractor Doctor Sabrina Morgan hard at work.
Ok, we're just going to check your reflexes here.
So Doctor Morgan, what is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a DC, stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. We have 8 years of education. And it's very similar to medical except that we don't prescribe drugs or do surgery. But we use a multitude of modality, spinal adjustment is our main modality.
So, there's at prominent popping sound, but what exactly is an adjustment?
Basically, we're realigning the spine, taking the pressure off the nerve and allowing the body to be healthier.
Before any treatments begin, Doctor Morgan first consults with patients and then conducts tests including x-rays.
Hold real still, look straight ahead, breathe normally.
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It's more than exams and adjustments. Doctor Morgan also calls herself a health care coach.
We inform patients about life style modifications, exercise, diet and then we implement physical treatment to help to strengthen the muscles around the spine, massage therapy.
Being a chiropractor is not the sort of job where you sit behind a desk. Be prepared to be on your feet most of the day.
I exercise regularly, I practice what I preach, so it's not too bad.
A chiropractor's average workweek is 40 hours. But Doctor Morgan puts in even more time at the office. How often do you work?
Oh, I work every day.
Every day.
Yeah, I'm also a business owner, so that's kind of like another job. I also wear that hat.
Like Doctor Morgan, more than half of chiropractors are self-employed. Becoming a chiropractor begins with some serious studying. What was schooling like for you to become a chiropractor?
The requirements are pretty exhaustive. It's a four-year bachelor's degree and a four-year doctor of chiropractic degree similar to medical school. And we take all the similar requirements. The only difference is we're not required to go to the hospitals after for residency.
Next, you have to pass national and state exams to get your license. Pursuing a career as a chiropractor is a good plan. More people are seeking alternative health care.
I think definitely people are, a lot of Americans are much more interested in trying drugless you know alternative first. You know I would say drugless first, then you can do medicine and surgery is always the last resort.
When you first start working as a chiropractor, you're earnings are low. But as your practice grows, your salary grows. All the way to 6 figures.
There's actually a very large range and the reason for that is because it depends on if you're an associate, an independent contractor, a business owner. But I did read in one of my journals that I think the average salary is like 104.
What type of qualities of a person would make a good chiropractor? No, a great chiropractor?
I would say someone who's definitely passionate about their patient's health. And they have to really be a hard worker.
If you're a sports fan, your hard work might pay off when a pro athlete pays you a visit. More and more sports teams are counting on chiropractors to treat their players. If I were a chiropractor, this decompression room is where you'd find me after a long day on my feet. This feels amazing. I'm Shana for Youniversity.tv. Bye bye.
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