Invest in Learning, Not Just Checking Boxes: A Chiropractor's Guide to Continued Education

Practical Ways to Make Chiropractic Continuing Education More Meaningful

As chiropractors, we are committed to lifelong learning. But let’s be honest—how often do we find ourselves scrambling when our chiropractic continuing education (CE) hours are due? We end up choosing courses based on convenience or availability, not necessarily relevance or personal growth. I’ve been there, too. That’s why I want to challenge you, especially if you’re just starting out, to reframe the way you approach continued education. Let’s stop checking boxes and start investing with intention.

What skills should chiropractors target with CE?

Start with gaps that impact daily care or growth—clinical specialties, documentation efficiency, leadership, or marketing—so new skills translate directly into better outcomes.

Before signing up for your next CE course, take a step back and ask yourself: What do I want to learn? Where do I want to grow? Maybe you want to get better at sports injury rehab, become more confident in pediatric care, or add something new like functional movement screens or soft tissue techniques. Whatever it is, let your personal and professional goals guide your CE path.

When you plan your education with clarity, you walk away with skills that directly impact your confidence, your patients, and your business. The right courses can elevate your practice far beyond just meeting the state requirements.

What non-clinical CE helps run a practice?

Leadership, communication, finance, and marketing training strengthen operations, reduce burnout, and support sustainable growth alongside clinical mastery.

Our chiropractic education prepared us to be great doctors, but let’s be real: most of us didn’t get much training on how to run a business, lead a team, or market a practice. And yet, these are often the areas where young docs struggle the most.

So why not use some of your continued education time to focus on these areas? Take courses on leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, financial planning, or branding. Read books about building company culture. Study how to create systems that help your office run smoothly.

You don’t need to be a business genius overnight, but investing in these areas will give you the tools to build a stable, thriving practice—and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to burnout or failure.

Leverage Everyday Moments: Learning on the Go

One of the best ways I’ve found to keep learning is to use the time I already have. My car has become a classroom. On every commute, I listen to a podcast or audiobook. Whether it’s a business podcast, a leadership book, or an interview with a successful chiropractor, I’m learning while I drive.

You can do the same on your daily walks, runs, or workouts. We all feel like we don’t have enough time to add one more thing to our plate, but chances are, you already have blocks of time you can turn into learning time.

Find a Mentor and Learn from Their Journey

One of the smartest moves you can make as a young chiropractor is to find someone who’s been where you want to go. Learn from their successes, their failures, and everything in between.

A mentor doesn’t have to be someone you meet with weekly in person. It could be someone you follow online, whose books you read and whose podcasts you listen to. Download their materials, soak in their wisdom, and let their path help guide yours.

Mentorship, even from afar, accelerates growth. It gives you a sense of direction and helps you avoid learning everything the hard way.

Set a Learning Rhythm That Works for You

Not everyone learns the same way or at the same pace. Maybe you like structured online courses. Maybe you prefer live seminars where you can network with other docs. Maybe podcasts are your jam. Whatever works for you, just make it consistent.

Consider setting a goal: one book a month, one course per quarter, one new concept to implement every six weeks. It doesn’t have to be rigid, but a rhythm helps you stay on track and actually apply what you’re learning.

Final Thoughts: Be the Chiropractor Who Grows on Purpose

Continued education should be about more than keeping your license current. It’s an opportunity to sharpen your tools, expand your reach, and serve your patients at a higher level.

So next time your CE deadline is approaching, don’t just sign up for whatever's easiest. Take the time to plan. Ask yourself: Where do I want to improve? What will make my practice better? What skills will help me lead more confidently, communicate more clearly, and grow more intentionally?

You’re already spending the time—make it count. Here’s to becoming not just a better chiropractor, but a better leader, learner, and practice owner.

Keep learning,

‍

Chiropracting Continuing Education FAQs

What counts as quality chiropractic continuing education?

Quality CE aligns with clinical or business goals, includes practical application, and measurably improves skills, patient outcomes, efficiency, or leadership within months.

How much CE should I do beyond state minimums?

Plan at least one focused course per quarter and one business or leadership course yearly, then implement one concrete change within six weeks.

Are business and leadership courses acceptable CE?

Yes—many boards accept approved business or ethics credits. Verify your state’s rules, then choose courses that improve operations, communication, and patient experience.