Opinion: Practicing chiropractic outside the U.S.

Perhaps you are a recent graduate from a chiropractic college. Perhaps you are a highly experienced chiropractor. Either way, you may be thinking about the possibility of practicing abroad.

The idea of helping sick and injured people get better with chiropractic makes a lot of sense to you. You feel like you have the potential to be a professional chiropractic ambassador or pioneer

Well, before you pack up your tools, charts, and portable adjusting table, and start globe trotting, it would be in your best interest to first do your due diligence and know the rules and regulations and current chiropractic climate in the country of your choice.

In recent years, I have worked abroad and visited chiropractors or spoken with chiropractors in Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America. Practices ranged from modest two story walkups with one treatment table to very modern, professionally decorated offices with highly technical patient education, lighting, sound, and expensively imported, high-end treatment tables. The majority of the chiropractors demonstrate a high degree of integrity and professionalism.

Chiropractic and the titles chiropractor, DC, or its equivalent fall into the following categories:

   1.) Fully legal

   2.) Somewhat legal

   3.) Not illegal

   4.) Illegal

Use the Internet to determine where the country of your interest falls on the above list.

Also, if you wish to work abroad, there are other very important considerations including work and residence permits or visas, housing, cost of living, transportation costs, health insurance, emergency air flight home, and various and sometimes confusing cultural considerations.

Full story