They're not. They can't prescribe medicine. They can't operate nor treat internal medical conditions only if it involves a muscle spasm but serious conditions like cancer, bleeding, etc, UM NO! They only offer electrical stimulation, acupuncture, perform mobile adjustments. They are similar to non-allied healthcare providers such as an optometrist and their scope of treatment is limited. My sister has worked for a chiropractor for more than 10 years & I was confused as to whether or not they are actual doctors & she said they aren't, Also, one of my bosses, Dr. Colquitt, a general surgeon said they aren't. I had a patient who got mad at me because I kept calling him, "Mr" & not "Dr." LOLOL! They listed him in the computer as "Mr" so that's what I called him & he kept saying, "It's doctor!" I just laughed & said, okay "Mr!" LMAO!!!