Chiropractic neurologists are specialists who treat conditions involving the nervous system and the spine using a combination of chiropractic and neuropathy techniques. They treat a variety of ailments with non-invasive and non-surgical treatments, including chronic back pain, spinal cord injury, pinched nerves, and migraine headaches. To become a chiropractic neurologist, students must first obtain a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in and completing an advanced program in neurology at a chiropractic college. After completing their education, students may be required to obtain board certification before practicing as a chiropractic neurologist.
Students interested in becoming a chiropractic neurologist must typically meet the educational requirements of a chiropractic college. A bachelor’s degree with coursework in chemistry, physics, and biology is required by most colleges. Some chiropractic colleges, on the other hand, will accept students who have only completed 90 hours of undergraduate study in these subjects.
A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from an accredited chiropractic college is required for most future chiropractic neurologists. Chiropractic programs typically last four years and include both classroom and clinical training. Students learn how to manipulate spines, perform diagnostic lab procedures, and take advanced physiology and anatomy courses.
Graduates must typically obtain the necessary licensing or registration in their area in order to practice chiropractic medicine. Some jurisdictions only require chiropractors to have a Doctor of Chiropractic degree to be licensed, while others may conduct their own examinations. Many states also require chiropractors to earn a certain number of continuing education credits over the course of their careers in order to keep their licenses current.
To become a chiropractic neurologist, chiropractors must typically complete a post-doctoral clinical neurology program after earning their doctorate. Chiropractors typically need a minimum of 300 credit hours in neurological study from an accredited chiropractic college, university, or medical school to sit for the certification exam. Programs typically combine clinical practice with coursework, which may include topics such as nervous systems, the brain, and neurological disorders.
In most cases, certification is the last step for a student who wants to become a chiropractic neurologist. Chiropractic neurologists must be certified by either the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (ACNB) or the International Board of Chiropractic Neurology, depending on where they plan to practice (IBCN). Exams are held at a variety of board-approved locations throughout the year.
Multiple-choice questions and a hands-on demonstration of chiropractic neurology techniques are usually included in the certification exam. The exam’s multiple-choice section assesses the candidate’s knowledge of neurological disorders, diagnostic abilities, and patient examination abilities. The technique demonstration is usually done in front of a review board on a volunteer patient. Chiropractic neurologists can maintain their certification by attending accredited continuing education programs on a regular basis after passing the exam.