Question
I'm going to start studying to become a chiropractor next year so I know I should know this but I don't. So I'd be grateful if you could answer these questions for me. Why is it that a chiropractic gets a Dr. title and physiotherapists don't? Isn't chiropractic only one more year of studying than physiotherapists? Why is it that high ranked universities don't offer chiropractic?

Answer
Hi Penny,

I'll try to answer your questions, but I may not be 100% accurate.  You would be best to email a chiropractic college dean to get the exact answers (go to www.nwhealth.edu).  To my knowledge, we are doctors because it is a doctoral level program, and also because we are trained to perform differential diagnosis.  PT's only now have doctoral level programs, the DPT degree, but I'm not sure how in-depth their clinical training is in differential diagnosis.  The chiropractic program technically is 4 academic years.  I did mine in 3 1/2 because I went summer terms.  In the USA, there remains much political conflict in chiropractic (something you better learn about before entering the field).  Only now have medical prejudices begun to soften, with DC's becoming more integrated in the care of patients in medical settings.  Within chiropractic there remains a cohort that refuses to want to change their beliefs about practice, and they adhere to dogma and outdated concepts for treating patients.  This conflict, when presented to governing bodies and university settings, doesn't help the profession mature.  We almost had an opportunity to be part of a florida university, but the political turmoil foiled it.  It's not like this in other countries, e.g. the Netherlands or Australia.   I would refer you to the following site: www.amerchiro.org   

'Hope this was helpful.

Dr. G
www.drgillman.com