In this myth, the social definition of what a doctor is is a medically licensed doctor. Chiropractors are not medically licensed doctors. This does not mean that chiropractors are not real doctors. Chiropractic care is a specialty with specific training. You can receive a doctorate in many different areas. An article from a university in Cleveland stated “They are doctors of chiropractic care – professionals who care about people and are devoted to providing non-invasive, personalized care and treatment.”

Chiropractors can have just as much knowledge of medicine, but they are not permitted to practice medicine as you know it. It would be like a doctorate of English walking into an operating room and claiming that because they are doctors they can perform surgery. While they are “doctors” in their field, that does not mean they are qualified to practice medicine. This analogy can be applied both ways as well. A doctor of medicine cannot effectively do the same things that a chiropractor has been trained to do.