As a medical discipline, Chiropractic has been in existence for over 100 years. The full-time program of study takes 5 to 6 years and has the same status as a university degree. Chiropractic studies can be followed in the United States, the UK, Denmark, France, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Korea. Students wishing to be admitted to a chiropractic course must have the normal university entrance qualifications in scientific subjects.

Worldwide there are 90,000 practicing chiropractors, 200 of whom work in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, the profession is not yet recognized and protected by law. This means that anyone can call him or herself a chiropractor. Membership of the Dutch Chiropractor Federation (DCF) will be a guarantee that your chiropractor has completed his or her chiropractic studies.

Below is a general comparison between the 6-year Chiropractic course in the UK (including a one year work placement) with a Medical degree course in the Netherlands. Study time outside the normal curriculum has not been included.

Subjects: Anatomy and embryology Cell biology en microbiology Chemistry Communication Dermatology Pharmacology Philosophy/medical ethics Physiology Gynecology/midwifery Pediatrics Neurology Pathology Path. Anatomy Radiodiagnostics Nutrition Scientific research/work experience Non-comparable or specific subjects Work experience Total number of lessons (in hours)

Chiropractic 332 42 80 84 20 40 34 318 40 40 68 102 24 220 56 148 1520 2840 5998

Medicine 145.5 169 84.5 87 21.5 16 36.5 181 49 65.5 45.5 101 22 8 2 168 1176 3570 5948