I’ll start by answering this question with a question: What is your definition of “doctor”?
Are Chiropractors doctors? Yes. Are Chiropractors medical doctors? No.
Some think Chiropractors are not doctors because they don’t prescribe medications, perform surgeries or walk around with a stethoscope around their neck. This stems from the false idea that being a doctor is exclusively medical. With that pretense, anyone who doesn’t have the initials ‘M.D.’ after their name is not a “real doctor” but a “quack.” In reality, the concept of being a doctor predates medicine quite significantly. You could say medicine sort of “leeched” onto the moniker.
There are a lot of professionals who use the title ‘doctor’ to indicate a level of understanding in their discipline. There are doctors in music, philosophy, theology, medicine, and engineering to name a few. What does it mean to be a doctor?
The word doctor is derived from the Latin word docere which means "to teach." A doctor then is a “teacher." Up until the 14th century, the title of doctor was only given to theologians approved by the Catholic Church who had specific knowledge of religious matters.
During the Renaissance period, Around the 15th and 16th centuries, universities began to develop. Those who held the highest degree in a university or passed all the degrees of a faculty started to earn the title of doctor as well.
Medical professionals weren’t called doctors until the late 16th century. Before then, it was more common to call them by the title of “leech” which meant “enchanter, one who speaks magic words; healer, physician.” As medicine’s educational standards improved, the title of doctor was given to them as well. Today, someone earns the title of ‘doctor’ when they gain a certain level of accredited knowledge and skill in a subject.
As a D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic), I am a teacher of Chiropractic. I have gained knowledge, understanding and practice of Chiropractic's philosophy, science and art. I am not an M.D. (Medical Doctor) because I am not a teacher of medicine. That is not my profession.
While a Chiropractic and medical degree are different, they do share similar educational standards. Both programs have commonalities in basic science courses and hours of study such as anatomy, physiology, neurology, microbiology, orthopedics, diagnosis, radiology and pathology to name a few.
The biggest difference between the two educational programs is how the sciences are practiced in the clinical setting. The Chiropractor furthers their practical education through adjustment techniques, nutritional instruction and advanced radiology. The medical doctor furthers their practical education through pharmacology prescriptions, surgical techniques and hospital residencies.
Medicine is not exclusive to the title of doctor and medical care is not synonymous with health. Shattering this narrative is an important step in the right direction for optimal patient care.
Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.