This is in response to Ms Cracchiolo, RN, who [erroneously] indicated 
that chiropractors received only a few years of education and aren't
required to have the science background that medical physicians do.
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No flames from me...or conjecture...just some FACTS to set the record
straight.

I wanted a second career (mid-life), and chose chiropractic. I already
had BS's in both business and marketing from Calif. Universities...but
these were of no assistance.  Both the school I chose to attend and the
Council of Chiropractic Education, which governs requirements for all
US Chiro. colleges has the following science pre-requisites:
    1-year inorganic chemistry
    1-year organic chemistry
    1-year physics
    1-year Biological Sciences (anatomy, physio., or general bio.)
All of the above courses must include labs; each course must be
acceptable for transfer to other professional health care programs
(medical, dental, osteopathy, etc.). These courses must be
satisfactorily completed BEFORE entering chiropractic college.  These
same courses are also required as pre-requisites to entry into medical 
school.

Ms. Cracchiolo, RN is correct indicating that the chiro program is 4 years
in duration (in addition to the pre-requisites)...BUT she obviously
isn't aware that the school is year-round (no summer or Easter breaks)
and the TOTAL HOURS are nearly identical to those received by the
medical physician. [Don't mis-understand me as posting this as a
demeaning of the medico education...I greatly respect MOST medical
doctors....and MOST chiros...each profession has their own problem
members].  

In 1990 a comparison was made between the educational hours required
for the chiro (3,768 classroom + 894 clinic internship = 4,662 total
hours at Western States Chiro College-Portland); the medico (2,465
classroom + 2,412 hospital internship = 4,877 total hours at Oregon
Health Sciences Univ.); the osteopath (1,936 classroom + 3,840 hospital
internship = 5,776 total hours at Chicago College of Osteopathic
Medicine).  These totals can be applied to any institution for each
specific profession, as each discipline has their own national
organization which establishes minimum educational requirements.
When I graduated from chiro college the total hours had been 
increased to 4,985.  Further, the chiro must pass 2-3 standardized
national board exams, then upon graduation pass a state board exam (the
medicos and osteopaths have similar exams for their professions).
The coursework is similar for all these professions, with a few major 
differences in focus: the medical and osteopathic physician learns
drugs and surgery [and no clinical nutrition]; and the chiropractor
learns clinical nutrition, biomechanics, and develops skills in manipulation.
The osteopath does receive some training in manipulation, however since that 
profession was incorporated by the AMA, the emphasis on these skills has been
reduced and they receive only 1/4 of the total hours that chiropractor spends
learning manipulation.  Only a small fraction of the current DO grads have
sought the additional hours to become skilled in manipulation.

In a prior post, Ms. Cracchiolo, RN suggested a reader see one of the 
'600 orthopractors'.  This group originally established 3 1/2 years ago,
reached slightly over 300 members (chiros, medicos and physical
therapists). It was considered a 'fringe and rebel' organization.  The
group was basically disbanded nearly two years ago, when members left
in droves upon learning the founder (Dr Jarvis) was less than ethical
in his philosophies and direction.  

Lastly, something I was surprised to learn when I had returned to
school to complete my chiro pre-requisites.  The RN's (Registered
Nurse) I have known in the past were required to complete a _four-year_
degree.  At least since the late 80's, one can now obtain an RN degree
by completing _only a two-year_ college program (the equivalent to an AA
2-yr degree) without any pre-requisites.  I was informed that there is 
still a four-year RN program, but now many who seek it wish to become 
administrators or managers.

Sincerely,
jay perrin, DC