Chiropractor

Chiropractors manipulate joints, bones and soft tissue to help clients control pain or prevent injuries from re-occurring.


Working Hours

37–39

hours per week

Career Area

Therapy professionals

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

As a chiropractor you could:

  • talk to clients about their symptoms, make sure their condition is suitable for treatment and design a treatment programme
  •  treat back, leg, neck and shoulder pain
  •  help clients with sports injuries, poor posture or joint and muscle pain
  •  carry out examinations like X-rays or blood tests
  •  give advice on lifestyle, diet and exercise to support recovery

Skills needed

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through a university course.

Career progression

Most chiropractors are self employed.

With experience you could:

  • set up your own practice
  •  move into education or research
  •  specialise in an area like sports medicine, rehabilitation or neurology