Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Chiropractor
What chiropractors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a chiropractor?
Examine a new patient with low back pain. From there, the day usually includes take histories and examine patients, assess posture and spine, and order and read X-rays. Many work full-time with evening or Saturday hours; owners set their own schedules.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a chiropractor working full time.
- Examine a new patient with low back pain.
- Adjust several returning patients.
- Review X-rays.
- Teach core exercises.
- Treat a runner’s hip with soft-tissue work.
- Advise an office worker on desk setup.
- Finish notes and billing.
Where chiropractors work
Chiropractors work in private offices, group clinics and sports settings.
Hours and schedule
Many work full-time with evening or Saturday hours; owners set their own schedules.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Take histories and examine patients
- Assess posture and spine
- Order and read X-rays
- Perform spinal adjustments
- Use soft-tissue and manual therapy
- Prescribe exercises
- Advise on ergonomics and lifestyle
Tools you’ll use every day
- Adjusting tables
- X-ray equipment
- Activator instruments
- Rehab equipment
- Electrical stimulation
- Practice software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Help people move without pain
- Own your practice
- Flexible schedule
- Faster-than-average growth
What’s hard
- Doctoral program and debt
- Building a patient base
- Physical demands
- Variable insurance coverage
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like hands-on care
- I want to run my own practice
- I enjoy anatomy
- I want flexible hours
- I like coaching healthy habits
- I’m willing to earn a doctorate
Not sure? Take the free Chiropractor fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Screen for red flags before adjusting
- Use proper body mechanics
- Follow X-ray safety
- Refer when care is outside scope