What Is the Difference Between an MD and a DC?

The notion of a “real doctor” has evolved significantly in the media. A doctor is commonly portrayed as a person wearing a white coat or scrubs and wielded with a stethoscope, able to prescribe drugs with instruction and perform surgery.

While many attempt to either dismiss or categorize chiropractors as doctors, 1:1 comparisons cannot be done. Doing so would be like comparing apples and oranges.

Doctors and chiropractors are increasingly entering a working alliance. One cannot take the place of the other. Both MDs and DCs stress optimal health but respond efficiently to different conditions. Medical treatment is often most necessary for emergency whereas chiropractic care can help best with ongoing discomfort and malnutrition.

Basic fundamental differences between the two practitioners:

 DCs and MDs are similar in that they both have to attend government accredited schools to earn an advanced degree. It is a common myth that chiropractors fall short of medical doctors when it comes to training and education. Research has shown that the two study the same subjects and only differ in their hours of study minimally. 

Chiropractic doctors don’t just administer adjustments — they screen for conditions unrelated to the musculoskeletal system, give advice on lifestyle, nutrition, and fitness, and refer patients out to other practitioners when deemed necessary. In order to do all of the above, however, hundreds of hours of study are necessary. The misconception about chiropractic training and education stems from a universal lack of knowledge regarding the scope of chiropractic care.

A Gallup Panel study found that 49% of its participants had never been to a chiropractor. 31% of these people demonstrated little to no knowledge about chiropractic care, and 61% of them agree to an extent that chiropractic care is dangerous. This misunderstanding about chiropractic care contributes to a larger issue — people not receiving the care that they need.

It is best to consult with a chiropractor before making a decision to receive treatment as it is not the practice itself, but rather, the practitioner that will help your body recover. If you are considering chiropractic care, reach out to our team today.

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