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Chiropractor
Hours
30-40 per week
Starting salary
£20,000 + per year
People who do this job manipulate joints, bones and soft tissue to help clients control pain or prevent injuries from happening again. If you like the idea of helping to relieve pain without drugs or surgery, this job could be perfect for you.
To do this job you will need to have a genuine interest in the health and wellbeing of clients. You will need to generate clients' trust and confidence. Good problem solving skills are important.
You will need to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) before you can work as a chiropractor. To join the register you need to complete a GCC-accredited degree.
WorkDesc
The work
As a chiropractor, you would use your hands, rather than medication or surgery, to make adjustments that can improve joint and muscle function. Your clients may be experiencing discomfort as a result of an accident, stress, illness or lack of exercise.
The most common problems you would treat include:
- neck, back and shoulder pain
- sciatica and leg problems
- issues surrounding sports injuries
- poor posture and associated joint and muscle pain.
You may also work with clients suffering from migraine or asthma, and babies with colic.
During your first session with a client, you would make sure that their condition was suitable for treatment. Once you had decided to work with them, you would:
- discuss their symptoms and health problems in detail
- carry out an examination, sometimes using x-rays or blood tests
- take into account any previous diagnoses made by medical practitioners
- design a programme of treatment to meet the individual needs of the patient.
You may also give clients advice on lifestyle, diet and exercise to support their recovery.
HoursDesc
Hours
As a self-employed chiropractor, you would usually set your own working hours. However, to meet the needs of clients, you may need to work some weekends and evenings.
You could be based at a health clinic or therapy centre. You could work outdoors at sporting events, and you might also travel to clients' homes.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries for chiropractors can be around £20,000 a year, depending on the number of clients and location of the practice. With experience this may rise to between £30,000 and £40,000 a year.
Many chiropractors are self-employed and charge an hourly or session rate of between £25 and £60 an hour.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You will need to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) before you can work as a chiropractor. To join the register you need to complete a GCC-accredited degree (or Masters qualification) in Chiropractic. See the GCC website for a list of approved courses.
To do an approved degree you will usually need:
- at least five GCSEs (A-C) including science-based subjects
- three A levels, preferably including biology, human biology, physics or chemistry.
If you do not have these qualifications, you may be able to take a one-year preliminary course, which is offered by all GCC-approved institutions.
When applying for a course, it may help you if you have paid or voluntary experience in a caring role. If you would like to get voluntary experience, contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for further advice. See the NHS Choices website for a list of local NHS Trusts.
NHS Choices (list of local NHS Trusts) 
A driving licence would be a useful for this work.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are on a GCC approved course, you will study subjects such as:
- anatomy and physiology
- orthopaedics and physiotherapy
- human structure and function
- biochemistry and biomechanics
- general medicine and internal medicine
- diagnostic skills and methods
- practical, manual skills and chiropractic techniques.
You will also spend time on supervised clinical placements, working directly with clients.
If you want to join the British Chiropractic Association after you complete your degree, you will need to spend a year working under the supervision of an experienced and qualified chiropractor. You could arrange to work as an associate chiropractor within an existing practice or organise supervised sessions whilst working on a self-employed basis.
As a qualified chiropractor, you will need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date and maintain your registration with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). To do this, you will need to complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) activity each year. You could also use this opportunity to follow a specialist area of interest, such as sports injuries or working with children. See the GCC website for details.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become a chiropractor, you will need to have:
- a genuine interest in the health and wellbeing of clients
- the ability to generate clients' trust and confidence in you
- the ability to empathise with clients
- good listening skills
- a logical approach and good problem-solving skills
- good powers of observation
- coordination and a steady hand for delicate work
- a keen interest in science, particularly biology
- a good understanding of when to refer clients to a qualified medical doctor
- commercial skills for running a business.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Scottish Chiropractic Association
www.sca-chiropractic.org
United Chiropractic Association
www.united-chiropractic.org
McTimoney Chiropractic Association
www.mctimoney-chiropractic.org
British Chiropractic Association
www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk
General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
44 Wicklow St
London
WC1X 9HL
Tel: 020 7713 5155
www.gcc-uk.org
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Public interest in this area of work is increasing and there are now more than 2000 chiropractors working in the UK.
You are likely to find that most opportunities are as a self-employed practitioner. You could provide services through the NHS, work with other chiropractors in a group practice, work in a health clinic offering a wide range of therapies, or set up your own practice. To be successful, you will need to build a good reputation and client base, and be prepared to market your business. This may involve working long hours at first.
Networking with other practitioners and complementary therapists, such as osteopaths and acupuncturists, may help you build your client list. It may also give you the opportunity to work as a locum or at a number of clinics to treat clients.
General Chiropractic Council (GCC) registration and qualifications are recognised internationally, which would allow you to work overseas.
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
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