Are chiropractors real doctors?

Are Chiropractors “Real” Doctors? Let’s Break It Down

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me, “So… are you a real doctor?” I’d probably have my student loans paid off by now.

It’s a fair question—sort of. After all, most people aren’t familiar with the amount of education chiropractors actually go through. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot. Like, “you’ll forget what a full night’s sleep feels like” kind of a lot.

Let’s set the record straight.

What Makes a Doctor, Anyway?

The word “doctor” comes from the Latin docere, meaning “to teach.” A doctor is someone who has achieved a doctoral-level education in their field. So yes, chiropractors are real doctors—Doctors of Chiropractic, or D.C. for short.

But it’s not just a title we print on business cards for fun. Earning that “doctor” title means logging thousands of hours in rigorous coursework, hands-on labs, and clinical internships—just like our M.D. (medical doctor) friends.

The Schooling Showdown: Chiropractors vs. Medical Doctors

Let’s take a peek behind the academic curtain.

Here’s a quick comparison of classroom hours between chiropractic students and medical students in some core subjects:

Now, this isn’t a competition—but if it were, chiropractors would win in a few key categories. Anatomy, physiology, neurology, and even orthopedics? We log more classroom hours in all of them.

That’s because chiropractors are musculoskeletal specialists. Our training is deeply rooted in understanding how the body moves, functions, and adapts—especially when it comes to the spine and nervous system.

Different Paths, Same Goal

Now, don’t get me wrong: medical doctors are incredibly well-trained, and we deeply respect their role in healthcare. But our educational paths just focus on different aspects of health.

Medical doctors often go on to specialize in pharmacology and surgery, while chiropractors specialize in hands-on, drug-free care, emphasizing biomechanics, alignment, and nervous system health.

Both professions require a doctorate-level education. Both take national board exams. Both require state licensure. And both are committed to helping people heal and live better lives.

So the next time someone asks, “Are chiropractors real doctors?”, I might smile and say:

“Only if thousands of hours of anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, neurology, radiology, and clinical training count for something.”

Or, you know, just hand them this article.