Chiropractic Training

Chiropractic training involves in-depth medical training in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, similar to a doctor. However, from day one, there is emphasis on hands-on practice with fellow Chiropractic students to develop a skilful sensitivity for where the joints and muscles are tight, stiff, swollen, inflamed or in spasm. As the training progresses, students learn how to manipulate the joints and, in the final year of training, work extended hours treating clients in a college clinic under the supervision of Chiropractic Tutors, before qualification with an extended year of further training in the first year of practice under the supervision of a Chiropractic mentor.

Our in-depth medical training enables Chiropractors to diagnose when a condition may be helped by Chiropractic and, importantly, to judge when a condition may require medical attention or a referral to a spinal surgeon or for X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or other diagnostic scans. For this reason, you do not need to see your GP before seeing a Chiropractor.

Chiropractic Registration in the UK – The GCC

Once fully qualified, to be able to call yourself a Chiropractor, you need to be registered with the GCC, the General Chiropractic Council. This is similar to a medical doctor being registered with the BMA, the British Medical Association.

I was one of the first chiropractors to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (www.gcc-uk.org) when it was established in 1999 to regulate and improve the standards of Chiropractic. This was formed alongside the General Osteopathic Council (GOC). These two regulatory bodies have led the way for registration of Acupuncture and Chiropody/Podiatry and other complementary professions, and are similar to the regulation of doctors by the General Medical Council (GMC).

The main duties of the GCC are: 

  1. Ensuring that if you a see a Chiropractor, they are fully qualified. 
  2. Protecting the public by operating a statutory regulation. 
  3. Setting standards for Chiropractic education, and ensuring competent and safe practice. 
  4. Developing the profession, requiring Chiropractors keep their Chiropractic knowledge up to date by completing statutory Continual Professional Development (CDP) each year, just as the General Medical Council requires from doctors and GPs. 

Chiropractic training courses (GCC accredited) in the UK are:  

  • The Anglo-European college of Chiropractic in Bournemouth, known as the AECC www.aecc.ac.uk