Education of Your Chiropractor.

Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs). To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites currently 3 years of education and 4 years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution.

According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."

As a portal of entry care provider a Doctor of Chiropractic has comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the Doctor of Chiropractic to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.

In the State of Idaho Doctors of Chiropractic have an expansive scope of practice which allows for them to utilize physiotherapy devices, perform venipuncture to collect blood specimens for laboratory diagnosis, give nutritional advice, and dispense nutritional supplements from their offices. Three other States share the characteristics of an expansive scope of practice: Oregon, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs. Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs.