Is a chiropractor a real doctor?
Straight Answers · answered by Dr. Alan S. Bader, DC — Chiropractic Physician.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Alan S. Bader, DC — Chiropractic Physician, Nevada License B-567 · Dr. Bader · Dr. Doyle · Last reviewed: July 2026
The short answer
A chiropractor holds a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree — a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical education at an accredited college, plus national board examinations and state licensure. In Nevada, the legal title is 'chiropractic physician.' DCs diagnose and treat within a defined scope; they do not prescribe medications or perform surgery.
The full picture
Dr. Bader's version of that path: Bachelor of Science in Premedical studies at the University of Nevada-Reno, then Palmer College of Chiropractic-West (the profession's founding college system), graduating in 1992 with the Clinical Excellence Award — followed by a 360-hour postgraduate program in chiropractic orthopedics and, notably, service administering licensure examinations for Nevada's own board.
Scope honesty: chiropractic physicians manage neuromusculoskeletal conditions — spine, joints, muscles, nerves — conservatively. They don't prescribe controlled substances (Nevada law is explicit), don't do surgery, and shouldn't claim to treat systemic disease. Clean lanes make good medicine.
The credential you can check yourself: Nevada license B-567, Chiropractic Physicians' Board of Nevada — the verify link is on our About page. We put it there on purpose.
Education standard: Council on Chiropractic Education accreditation requirements.
Your situation has its own specifics — a two-minute call gets you a straight answer for it: (775) 829-7575.
This page is education, not medical advice for your specific situation — an examination is how care decisions get made. If you may be experiencing an emergency, call 911. Full medical disclaimer.
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How many people actually use chiropractic care?
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What patients say
Reno Patients, In Their Own Words
“First time here… Friendly and efficient receptionist, she explained everything in detail. I saw Dr. Bader. Listened to my areas of pain, explained many things and my first adjustment was great. He is also friendly, has good “bedside” manners. They are a hometown health provider.”
“I’ve been seeing Dr. Bader for the last 15 years. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a great bedside manor. The office is very well run… Most insurance is accepted and if it’s not, the cash plan is very reasonable. Walk in’s are acceptable and same day appointments are most likely.”
“Dr Bader is a Super Chiropractor! Palmer educated.”
“They actually work on fixing your issues with adjustments and therapy and get you in and out of the office in a timely manner.”
Real patient reviews from Google and Yelp, quoted word-for-word (ellipses mark trims — nothing else is changed). Individual experiences vary — care decisions always follow an examination. Read them all — unfiltered — at the sources.
In pain right now? Acute patients get priority scheduling. Call and tell us what’s going on — same-week appointments are usually available.
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