Are Chiropractors Real Doctors?

I’m Dr. Sarah McNeily! I’m a real chiropractor and a real doctor. Chiropractors must have three years of undergraduate, but most have a four year, bachelor’s degree. Additionally, chiropractic school is 3.33 additional years. When broken down hour per hour, Chiropractors match, if not surpass medical doctor’s studies in the most fundamental of subjects- anatomy, physiology, and neurology.

Chiropractors are licensed by each state they practice and they must all pass a national board examination. There are minimum requirements to maintain licensure in each state. In fact, you can look up doctor’s credentials through each chiropractic state board. It will even tell you if the doctor has ever had an infraction brought against them.

Here is the link for IL and NC

One more instance that validates me as doctor is when I was the only practitioner on board a flight during a medical emergency! Check out this post from June 2017.

I am a doctor. I have studied and sacrificed and practiced to hone my craft. Flash back to just two weeks ago when we were coming back from our honeymoon, sitting on the tarmac, delayed. The flight attendant comes on the loudspeaker and says: “If there are any doctors or nurses on board, we would appreciate if you could ring your call button for a medical emergency.” I pause for a moment and realize ER physicians, EMTs, and nurses are just a few people with more emergency medicine experience than I do. However, I spent countless hours learning about all parts of the body, not just the neuro-muscular-skeletal system. I can evaluate for stroke, heart attack, shock, and all other sorts of common issues. There were no rings from any passengers on the flight. I press my call button and volunteer my services. The flight attendant said:” I don’t think this is a chiropractic issue, but we could sure use some help.” I was able to do a quick evaluation of the patient involved in the medical emergency and monitor the situation better than any other passenger on the plane until the paramedics arrived. The patient got the help they needed (and they should be fine).

With airlines getting some bad press these days, Delta was great! They did everything in their power to help the patient and to assist me in my work. They thanked me profusely for my help on the flight and even two weeks later. I am so thankful for being able to practice daily and to use my knowledge to help others.

It makes for a great honeymoon story too!