Are Chiropractors Real Doctors? What You Should Know Before Your First Visit
If you've ever wondered, "Are chiropractors actually real doctors?"—you’re not alone. It’s a common (and totally valid) question, especially if you’ve never been to one before. The short answer is yes, chiropractors are doctors, just not in the same way as your primary care physician or a surgeon. But let’s unpack what that actually means so you can feel confident in your choice of care.
What Makes Someone a "Doctor"?
The title “doctor” refers to someone who has completed a doctoral-level degree in their field. Chiropractors hold a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which means they’ve completed:
Undergraduate studies (typically in biology or health sciences)
3–4 years of chiropractic school
Over 4,000 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training
They also pass a series of national board exams and must be licensed in the state they practice, just like MDs and DOs.
So while chiropractors aren't medical doctors (MDs), they are doctors in the same sense that dentists (DDS) or optometrists (OD) are. In other words, they’re highly trained, licensed healthcare professionals.
What Do Chiropractors Actually Treat?
At Mountain Movement Chiropractic in Spearfish, we focus on neuromusculoskeletal conditions—that’s a fancy way of saying issues involving the nerves, muscles, joints, and spine.
Some of the most common reasons people see a chiropractor include:
Back and neck pain
Headaches
Sciatica
Joint stiffness
Poor posture
Preventative wellness care
We don’t prescribe medications or perform surgery. Instead, we use techniques like chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, rehab exercises, and patient education to help your body heal itself naturally.
So Why the Confusion?
Part of the confusion comes from the different types of doctors in healthcare. Medical doctors (MDs) and osteopathic doctors (DOs) undergo hospital-based residencies and receive training in medications and surgery. Chiropractors take a different approach, focusing on the spine and nervous system as a key part of overall health.
Think of it like this:
If you break a bone, see your MD.
If you have high blood pressure, see your MD.
If your back hurts or you want to move better without pills or surgery? That’s where a DC shines.
What Sets Chiropractors Apart
The biggest difference isn’t a lack of education—it’s the philosophy of care. Chiropractic is rooted in the belief that the body is self-healing, and when the spine and nervous system are functioning well, your health naturally improves.
At Mountain Movement Chiropractic, we combine evidence-based care with real conversations about what you want your body to be able to do, not just what hurts.
Bottom Line: Yes, Chiropractors Are Doctors
We are doctors of chiropractic, licensed and trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat physical conditions affecting your movement and quality of life.
So if you’re curious, skeptical, or just trying to feel better without jumping straight to pills or surgery, give us a call. We’re happy to walk you through what we do and how we might help you.