Your Yakima chiropractor has been through an incredible amount of training. Don’t be shy to ask them where they schooled and what it was like.

Chiropractors have all been through stringent and labor-intensive education so they bring you the best care possible. It’s hard to get into chiropractic school, and it’s even harder to graduate. Chiropractic credentials are among the toughest to attain of any of the health care professions.

Any applicant at a chiropractic college has already received up to four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education under their belt. Courses include:

• Biology
• Inorganic and organic chemistry
• Physics
• Psychology

All this rigorous training and education in the healing sciences is very similar to that of a general medical doctor. In fact, in anatomy, physiology, and rehabilitation, chiropractors surpass the knowledge of most general practitioners.

In the United States and Canada, 4200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience is the norm. It’s a long process, but working with things as delicate and complex as the spine and pain management is a lifelong learning experience.

Chiropractors will also typically have studied:

Advanced anatomy; biochemistry; physiology; microbiology; pathology
first aid and emergency procedures; public health; physical, clinical and laboratory diagnosis; gynecology; obstetrics; pediatrics; geriatrics; dermatology; research methods and procedures; professional practice ethics; otolaryngology; diagnostic imaging procedures; psychology; nutrition/dietetics; biomechanics; orthopedics; physiological therapeutics; first aid and emergency procedures.

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For more information:

There is a wealth of information on the web regarding chiropractic care. A good place to begin research is at the most reputable source. Chiropractic care is governed internationally by the Councils on Chiropractic Education International, (CCEI). CCEI is the official accrediting agency for chiropractic schools all over the world.

The World Health Organization’s guidelines for chiropractic care is also a fantastic overview document outlining what to expect from your chiropractor.

Feel free to contact us at West Valley Chiropractic Centre with any questions you have.