chiropractor

American  

[kahy-ruh-prak-ter] / ˈkaɪ rəˌpræk tər /

noun

• chiropractors
  plural

1. one whose occupation is the practice of chiropractic.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• chiropractors
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of chiropractor

First recorded in 1900–05; chiropract(ic) + -or ², as if a Latin noun with -tor

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Explanation

Got an aching back? You might want to visit a chiropractor, a health care provider who specializes in the alignment of the spine. Chiropractors, though they provide health care, are not medical doctors; they are licensed by the state and have a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Many people consider chiropractic care to be pseudoscience, since its effectiveness hasn't been scientifically confirmed. Others believe it's useful alternative medicine. The word chiropractor has roots meaning "hand" and "practical," or "done by hand." A chiropractor treats patients in part by physically manipulating their spines.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chiropractor chiropractors

He was referred to a chiropractor, but the treatment did not improve his condition.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026

Finn McGeachan, 21, is studying to be a chiropractor at the University of South Wales in Cardiff.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Betancur, the chiropractor, had been in repayment for over two decades at that point, and hoped to get his loans forgiven.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2025

So, stop paying your chiropractor and start saving up for tickets.

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2025

This man was Peter Tatakis, the future chiropractor.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

She also spent a huge amount of time researching triggers and spent "hundreds on various things just to see if that would help" - from vitamins to chiropractors.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

The healthcare professional category was a broad one: It included doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers, chiropractors and massage therapists, among other jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

Occupations using the health insurance exchanges where they can buy an ACA plan include realtors, farmers, chiropractors and musicians, the analysis found.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

Saver said that state medical boards have been weary of disciplining practitioners since the pandemic, including state chiropractic boards, which fulfill a similar role to medical boards but for chiropractors.

From Salon ● Jan. 9, 2026

The pain wasn't bad, but there aren't any chiropractors on Mars, so I wasn't taking chances.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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