Chiropractor vs. Doctor — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 23, 2023
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional specializing in diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders through manual spinal manipulation. A doctor is a medical professional trained in various specializations, including surgery and medication.
Difference Between Chiropractor and Doctor
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A chiropractor is specifically trained in the field of chiropractic medicine, which focuses on treating spinal and musculoskeletal issues primarily through manual adjustment. A doctor, depending on the specialization, can treat a variety of medical conditions and can prescribe medication.
Chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, which generally requires less schooling than a medical doctor who earns an M.D. or D.O. degree. Doctors undergo rigorous training and have a broader scope of practice including surgery, which chiropractors are not authorized to perform.
Chiropractors use a hands-on approach to healthcare, emphasizing non-invasive treatments. Doctors, on the other hand, often use medications and surgical procedures as part of their treatment protocols.
Chiropractic care usually serves as an alternative or supplement to traditional medicine, and chiropractors often work alongside doctors. Doctors, however, serve as primary care providers and specialists who can handle a wide array of medical needs.
Chiropractors are mainly self-employed or work in private practices. Doctors can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, or private practices, and often collaborate with a team of healthcare providers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Scope of Practice
Spinal and musculoskeletal issues
Broad range of medical conditions
Educational Requirements
Doctor of Chiropractic
M.D. or D.O.
Treatment Methods
Manual adjustments
Medication, surgery, etc.
Work Environment
Often self-employed
Hospitals, clinics, private practice
Collaboration
May work alongside doctors
May work with various specialists
Compare with Definitions
Chiropractor
Chiropractor uses manual adjustments.
The chiropractor adjusted my spine to relieve tension.
Doctor
Doctor diagnoses and treats a variety of conditions.
The doctor diagnosed me with an ear infection.
Chiropractor
Chiropractor holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
My chiropractor completed his Doctor of Chiropractic program.
Doctor
A person who is licensed to practice medicine and has trained at a school of medicine or a school of osteopathic medicine; a physician.
Chiropractor
Chiropractor does not prescribe medication.
The chiropractor suggested exercises instead of medication.
Doctor
Any of certain other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or veterinarian.
Chiropractor
Chiropractor specializes in spinal health.
I visited the chiropractor to help with my back pain.
Doctor
A practitioner of alternative medicine or folk medicine who does not have traditional medical credentials.
Chiropractor
Chiropractor often works in private practice.
The chiropractor's private practice was very inviting.
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree, usually a PhD, awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.
Chiropractor
A practitioner of the system of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints.
Doctor
A person awarded an honorary degree by a college or university.
Chiropractor
A system of health care that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system and their effects on overall health. The method of treatment usually involves manipulation of the spinal column and other body structures.
Doctor
Abbr. Dr. Used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.
Chiropractor
A health-care practitioner who specializes in chiropractic, the hands on or hand-held instrumental movement of the bone structure of the body to improve the function of the joints or nervous system.
Doctor
Roman Catholic Church An eminent theologian.
Chiropractor
A therapist who practics chiropractic.
Doctor
A rig or device contrived for remedying an emergency situation or for doing a special task.
Chiropractor
A therapist who practices chiropractic
Doctor
(Informal) To give medical treatment to
"[He] does more than practice medicine. He doctors people. There's a difference" (Charles Kuralt).
Doctor
To repair, especially in a makeshift manner; rig.
Doctor
To falsify or change in such a way as to make favorable to oneself
Doctored the evidence.
Doctor
To add ingredients so as to improve or conceal the taste, appearance, or quality of
Doctor the soup with a dash of sherry.
Doctor
To alter or modify for a specific end
Doctored my standard speech for the small-town audience.
Doctor
(Baseball) To deface or apply a substance to (the ball) in violation of the rules in order to throw a pitch with extraordinary movement
Was ejected because he doctored the ball with a piece of sandpaper.
Doctor
To practice medicine.
Doctor
A physician; a member of the medical profession; one who is trained and licensed to heal the sick or injured. The final examination and qualification may award a doctor degree in which case the post-nominal letters are D.O., DPM, M.D., DMD, DDS, in the US or MBBS in the UK.
If you still feel unwell tomorrow, see your doctor.
Doctor
A person who has attained a doctorate, such as a Ph.D. or Th.D. or one of many other terminal degrees conferred by a college or university.
Doctor
A veterinarian; a medical practitioner who treats non-human animals.
Doctor
A nickname for a person who has special knowledge or talents to manipulate or arrange transactions.
Doctor
(obsolete) A teacher; one skilled in a profession or a branch of knowledge; a learned man.
Doctor
(dated) Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency.
The doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous colouring matter
The doctor, or auxiliary engine, also called "donkey engine"
Doctor
A fish, the friar skate.
Doctor
A ship's cook.
Doctor
(transitive) To act as a medical doctor to.
Her children doctored her back to health.
Doctor
To act as a medical doctor.
Doctor
(transitive) To make (someone) into an (academic) doctor; to confer a doctorate upon.
Doctor
(transitive) To physically alter (medically or surgically) a living being in order to change growth or behavior.
They doctored their apple trees by vigorous pruning, and now the dwarfed trees are easier to pick.
We may legally doctor a pet to reduce its libido.
Doctor
(transitive) To genetically alter an extant species.
Mendel's discoveries showed how the evolution of a species may be doctored.
Doctor
(transitive) To alter or make obscure, as with the intention to deceive, especially a document.
To doctor the signature of an instrument with intent to defraud is an example of forgery.
Doctor
(transitive) To adulterate, drug, or poison (drink).
Doctor
To take medicine.
Doctor
A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of knowledge; a learned man.
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel.
Doctor
An academical title, originally meaning a man so well versed in his department as to be qualified to teach it. Hence: One who has taken the highest degree conferred by a university or college, or has received a diploma of the highest degree; as, a doctor of divinity, of law, of medicine, of music, or of philosophy. Such diplomas may confer an honorary title only.
Doctor
One duly licensed to practice medicine; a member of the medical profession; a physician.
By medicine life may be prolonged, yet deathWill seize the doctor too.
Doctor
Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency; as, the doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous coloring matter; the doctor, or auxiliary engine, called also donkey engine.
Doctor
The friar skate.
Doctor
To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
Doctor
To confer a doctorate upon; to make a doctor.
Doctor
To tamper with and arrange for one's own purposes; to falsify; to adulterate; as, to doctor election returns; to doctor whisky.
Doctor
To practice physic.
Doctor
A licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
Doctor
(Roman Catholic Church) a title conferred on 33 saints who distinguished themselves through the othodoxy of their theological teaching;
The Doctors of the Church greatly influenced Christian thought down to the late Middle Ages
Doctor
Children take the roles of doctor or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the doctor's office;
The children explored each other's bodies by playing the game of doctor
Doctor
A person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution;
She is a doctor of philosophy in physics
Doctor
Alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive;
Sophisticate rose water with geraniol
Doctor
Give medical treatment to
Doctor
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Doctor
Doctor can prescribe medication.
The doctor prescribed antibiotics for my condition.
Doctor
Doctor holds an M.D. or D.O. degree.
My doctor earned her M.D. from a prestigious university.
Doctor
Doctor can perform surgical procedures.
The doctor successfully performed my appendectomy.
Doctor
Doctor works in multiple healthcare settings.
The doctor works at both a hospital and a private clinic.
Common Curiosities
What degree does a doctor hold?
A doctor holds either an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree.
Can chiropractors prescribe medication?
No, chiropractors generally do not prescribe medication.
Do chiropractors and doctors work together?
Yes, chiropractors often work alongside doctors to provide comprehensive care.
What does a chiropractor treat?
Chiropractors specialize in treating spinal and musculoskeletal issues.
Can a doctor perform surgery?
Yes, doctors with the appropriate specialization can perform surgery.
What does a chiropractor's treatment involve?
Treatment usually involves manual adjustments of the spine.
What can a doctor treat?
Doctors can treat a broad range of medical conditions, depending on their specialization.
Are chiropractors licensed?
Yes, chiropractors are licensed healthcare providers.
Can a chiropractor refer me to a specialist?
Yes, a chiropractor can refer you to medical specialists for further evaluation and treatment.
Can a doctor diagnose mental health issues?
Yes, psychiatrists are doctors specialized in mental health.
Do doctors receive more education?
Yes, doctors generally undergo more years of education and training.
Are chiropractors doctors?
Chiropractors are healthcare professionals but are not medical doctors.
Can doctors work in various settings?
Yes, doctors can work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices.
What is the main focus of chiropractic care?
The main focus is on spinal health and neuromuscular disorders.
Do chiropractors accept insurance?
Many chiropractors accept insurance, but coverage varies.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Discount vs. Reduction
Next Comparison
Glass vs. PyrexAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
