All doctors of chiropractic must complete a rigorous and detailed education. After completing the necessary pre-med coursework, they begin a four-year program at an accredited college of chiropractic. The chiropractic curriculum includes detailed studies of: anatomy, physiology, X-ray, clinical sciences, spinal biomechanics and adjusting, preventative health care, and many other related topics. By the time of graduation, the average doctor of chiropractic has completed 4,485 classroom hours, compared to 4,248 classroom hours completed by a medical doctor. Most chiropractic colleges have extracurricular Gonstead clubs, where aspiring students can spend time in addition to the standard coursework in studying and refining their skills needed to excel in the Gonstead System.

The Gonstead System
After graduation, doctors of chiropractic have many opportunities to further their education in the Gonstead System. The Gonstead Seminar is taught by renowned doctors who practice chiropractic consistent with the teachings of the late Dr. Clarence Gonstead. Through these seminars, doctors of chiropractic can earn advanced certification in the Gonstead System. In addition, this system has many researchers conducting ongoing studies to ensure that it is on the cutting edge. Licensed Gonstead doctors exist worldwide, offering their expertise in this highly advanced and results driven healing art.

Training Comparison: Chiropractic School vs. Medical School

Sources:
- Centre for studies in health policy, inc., Washington, D. C.
- World Health organisation (2005). “WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in Chiropratic.”
- Council on Chiropractic education. Educational standards for Chiropractic colleges. Scottsdale, AZ
- Coulter. I, Adams. A, Coggan. P, Wilkes. M., Gonyea. M. A., A comparative study of Chiropractic and medical education
- Chiropractic in the United States: training, Practic and research. AHCPR Publication No 98-N002

Naturopathic Education

Professional Education
A licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D., but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health). A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.

Naturopathic medicine was established in North America in 1896 by Benedict Lust when he founded the first naturopathic college, the Yungborn Health Institute in New Jersey.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession founded on the time honoured belief in vis medicatrix naturae, "the healing power of nature." It is a holistic, coordinated approach to health care that respects the unique individuality of each person. The naturopathic physician attends to the prevention and treatment of disease and the promotion of optimal health. S/he views the patient as a whole person, while symptoms of disease are seen as indicators of improper functioning, imbalance and/or poor lifestyle habits. The goal of treatment is to address the underlying cause of disease and to avoid treatments that might induce further harm, either by producing unwanted side-effects or by complicating the existing disease process. This is achieved through the appropriate application of natural substances and modalities that remove obstacles to health and enhance the body's inherent healing abilities.

The following is a list of treatments commonly provided or prescribed by naturopathic physicians:

Botanical Medicine: The use of plant substances for their healing effects and nutritional value.

Clinical Nutrition: The use of specific individual diets and vitamin, mineral and other nutritional supplements to address deficiencies, promote health and treat disease.

Homeopathy: The use of minute amounts of natural substances to stimulate the body's self-healing abilities.

Physical Medicine: The use of water, heat, cold, light, electricity, ultrasound and various manipulation and hands-on techniques to aid the correction of stress or trauma induced in muscles, connective tissue and the skeletal system.