Weatherly Building

FAQ


WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR IS A CHIROPRACTOR?

There are eight basic types of doctors:
  1. Doctor of Medicine - MD
  2. Doctor of Chiropractic - DC
  3. Doctor of Naturopathy - ND
  4. Doctor of Optometry - OD
  5. Doctor of Osteopathy - DO
  6. Doctor of Podiatry - DPM
  7. Doctor of Medical Dentistry - DMD/DDS
  8. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine – DVM
Education: A chiropractor’s education begins with 2 years premed followed by a four year degree program. This program is in many ways comparable to the training received by a medical doctor. Below is a comparison between the medical program at Western States Chiropractic College and the program at Oregon Health and Science University.

CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN WESTERN STATES CHIRO COLLEGE (WSCC)
MEDICAL PHYSICIAN OREGON HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY (OHSU)

WSCC OHSU
CLASSES HOURS CLASSES HOURS
TOTAL D.C. REQUIREMENTS: 4,662 TOTAL M.D. REQ: 4,877
Gross Anatomy I-III 288 Gross Anatomy 190
Histology I,II 144 Histology 84
Biochemistry I,II 120 Medical Biochemistry 145
Physiology I,II 132 Human Physiology 149
Embryology 24 Developmental Biology 40
Neuroanatomy 96 Neuroanatomy 84
Nutrition 48 Nutrition 20
Clinical Nutrition 36    
Physical Diagnosis I,II 144 Ophthalmology 36
    Otolaryngology 72
Clinical Pyschology 36 Medical Psychology 49
    Intro to Psychiatry 43
General Pathology I,II 120 General Pathology 68
Genetics 48 Medical Genetics 32
CPR/Emergency Care 24 Cardiopulmonary Resus.  
Microbiology & Public Health 84 Intro to Medical Microbiology 90
Intro to Public Health 26    
Clinical Microbiology & Public Heath 84 Public Health & Epidemiology 40
Immunology 35    
Toxicology & Pharmacology 48 Pharmacology 72
Dermatology & Inf. Disease 24 Pathophysiology of Skin, Bone & Computerized Tomography 69
Clinical Lab 60 Blood/Reticuloendothelial Pathophys. 117
Pathophysiology of the CNS/Muscle & Special Sensory Organs Neurophysiology 72    
    Neurology & Neurosurgery 216
Gastroenterology DX/TX 48 Gastrointestinal Pathophys. 123
Cardiorespiratory DX/TX 24 Respiratory Pathophysiology 79
    Cardiovascular Pathophysiology 117
Clinical Pathology 36 Endocrine Pathophysiology 43
Genitourinary Survey 60 Reproductive Pathophysiology 55
    Renal Pathophysiology 117
Jurisprudence & Ethics 24 Law & Medicine 24
Radiological Interpret. 120 Radiographic Diagnosis 24
Roentgenometrics I,II 24
Soft Tissue Radiographic Interpertation. 48
Radiographic Technique I,II 120
Minor Surgery/Proctology 24
Obstetrics 36
Patient/Practice Mgmt I-IV 108
Adjustive Technique I-IX 396
Clinical Pediatrics 24 Child Health (CON 620,lecture) 48
Clinical Geriatrics 24
Spinal Anatomy 24
Biomechanics & Palpation I-IV 264
Neuromusculoskeletal DX/TX I-IV 276
Correlative & Differential DX 48
Physiotherapy I,II 120
Narrative Report Writing 24
Clinical Research Meth. I,II 60
Principles of Chiro Phil. I-IV 120
TOTAL CLASS HOURS: 3,768 TOTAL CLASS HOURS: 2,465
Clinical Observation I-III 72 Patient Evaluation (413,611) 192
Clinic Phase I,II,III-A,B,C,D 822 Third Year Medicine 432
Child Health 384
Psychiatry Clinical Clerkship 216
Obstetrics & Gynecology 216
Surgery 432
Special Programmed Instruction 540
TOTAL CLINIC HOURS: 894 TOTAL HOSPITAL HOURS: 2412

WHAT DO CHIROPRACTORS TREAT?

Chiropractors focus on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system. neuromusculoskeletal complaints include, but are not limited to, neck and back pain, headaches, ear aches, dizziness, jaw pain, and joint pain in the arms and legs.

WHAT TECHNIQUES DO YOU USE?

I do not limit myself to one specific technique system but borrow from a number of chiropractic technique systems, some of which include Activator, Diversified, Direct NonForce Technique, and Graston.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

With an acute injury, people often walk out feeling 50-60% better following the initial treatment. With more chronic injuries, the process takes more time and is slower. Of course, there are many other factors that affect recovery time. These include, the severity of the injury, your basic health, how well you take care of yourself following each treatment, etc.

WILL IT HURT?

Usually not. I try very hard to proceed based on your individual concerns and responses to treatments. My philosophy is to move cautiously and make only the adjustments that are absolutely necessary for your recovery.

WHY SEEK REGULAR CHIROPRACTIC CARE?

Everyday stresses of life, whether it's work or just moving about the house, have a cumulative effect on the body. Seeking regular chiropractic care can eliminate/reduce these weaknesses and help to prevent future injuries. Regular care for a healthy person would be every three to four months. Those with more physically demanding jobs, those who have a long history of chronic pain, or those who have issues such as unusual curves in their spine (e.g. Scoliosis) should seek care at least one time per month. In the long run, this preventative approach to health is less time consuming, more cost effective, and less traumatic to the patient.