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

Etymology

Origin of chiropractor

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

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

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

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Some of the defendants were also medical care providers, Essayli pointed out, including three nurses, a chiropractor and a psychologist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2026

When the 55-year-old New Jersey chiropractor looks at his current balance, he is stupefied.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2025

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

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2025

Peter Tatakis, the chiropractor, arrived in his wine-dark Buick, and Bart Skiotis paid his respects at the church whose foundation he had laid with substandard materials.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

So, I was just having chiropractors every day.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 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

Among the jobs with the biggest share of ACA policyholders are chiropractors, musicians and a category that includes farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025

I’ve been recommended by so many chiropractors and masseuses like, “You should probably do Pilates.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2024

Bullhead’s distinguishing civic feature is the Mohave Valley Highway, four lanes of asphalt lined with gas stations and fast-food franchises, chiropractors and video shops, auto-parts outlets and tourist traps.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer