‍After four long years and an even longer pre-medicine curriculum, you’ve finally earned your Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) or other applicable degree. Your hard work has paid off and now it’s time to enter the real world. 

But what exactly comes next? The answer isn’t as simple as one might think. Fortunately, several career paths are available for those who have graduated from chiropractic school. 

Keep reading to learn about some of the most common job roles after graduating from chiropractic college.

1. Sports Chiropractor

A sports chiropractor is a special type of medical professional that treats people who are athletes as well as other individuals who may be suffering from an injury or ailment related to their muscles and/or joints. 

This can range from someone who has sustained a serious injury playing a sport, to a casual weekend warrior who has strained a muscle from a particularly strenuous workout. 

Sports chiropractors can work in a variety of settings and with a multitude of patients. They may provide care at a hospital, a private practice, a sports team facility, an athletic event, or even a gym. 

2. Pediatric Chiropractor

If you’ve ever dreamed of working with children and helping them improve their health and wellness, becoming a pediatric chiropractor may be an ideal career path. 

Pediatric chiropractors work with children of all ages to help correct misalignments in their spines and provide them with the care they need to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle. Pediatric chiropractors can provide care to children in a variety of different settings, including hospitals, sports teams, and private offices. 

3. Teacher and Researcher

If you love the idea of helping people but aren’t exactly cut out for the one-on-one aspect of being a chiropractor, becoming a chiropractic researcher and educator may be the perfect career path for you. 

These types of chiropractors may work at colleges and universities, private research facilities, or even work independently to create their own materials and studies for students, educators, and general members of the public.

Depending on what type of work you do, you may focus primarily on chiropractic care and research, chiropractic theory and pedagogy, or a variety of other related subjects. You may also teach chiropractic techniques to students who are studying to become chiropractors themselves.

4. Franchise Business Owner

Many chiropractors who own their own private practices also own and operate several clinics within a franchise network. 

Some chiropractors may choose to own an individual franchise location, either by themselves or with the help of a business partner. Other chiropractors may want to partner with a larger franchise organization and work to open and manage an entire chain of chiropractic clinics. 

5. Fitness Trainer and Instructor

If you love fitness and helping others get fitter, becoming a fitness instructor and trainer may be the right career path for you. This type of chiropractor works with people of all ages to help them achieve their fitness goals, whether they are new to working out or have been doing it for years. 

Depending on what type of fitness you choose to specialize in, you may teach group or one-on-one classes, create your own workout and instruction materials, or work on one-on-one training with clients. 

6. Clinical Instructor

If you’re passionate about helping people and are interested in the field of chiropractic, becoming a clinical instructor may be an excellent choice. These chiropractors work primarily at colleges and universities to help provide students with instruction and guidance as they learn the trade. 

Clinical instructors may teach a variety of subjects, including anatomy and physiology, pathology, biomechanics, clinical diagnosis, clinical reasoning, and more.  

The Bottom Line

Finally, when it comes to a career after chiropractic school, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no wrong choice. The important thing is that you pick something that excites and inspires you so that you can go to work every day feeling happy and fulfilled.