Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a regulated healthcare profession focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly those affecting the spine, and the management of the effects these disorders can have on general health and function. Chiropractors use a range of manual techniques, including spinal manipulation and mobilisation, alongside advice on exercise, posture, and lifestyle, to help patients manage and recover from conditions such as back and neck pain, headaches, and joint problems. The profession draws on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and clinical skills, and its practitioners work primarily in private practice, though there is growing integration with the NHS and other health services.
At Teesside University, this four-year full-time programme prepares you for registration with the General Chiropractic Council, the statutory regulator for chiropractic in the United Kingdom. You will study the biological and clinical sciences that underpin chiropractic practice, develop the diagnostic and clinical skills needed to assess and treat patients safely and effectively, and engage with the research evidence that informs evidence-based practice. Clinical placements are central to your training, giving you supervised experience with real patients and developing the professional skills that complement your academic and technical knowledge.
Qualified chiropractors in the UK most commonly work in private practice, either as sole practitioners or within multi-practitioner clinics, though there are also opportunities in occupational health settings, sports organisations, and multidisciplinary health teams. Building a patient base and developing a practice requires business as well as clinical skills, and many chiropractors develop their businesses over time to employ associates and support staff. Continuing professional development is a requirement of registration, and many chiropractors pursue postgraduate study in specialist areas or take on teaching and supervisory roles within chiropractic education.