Chiropractors

Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.

The occupation "Chiropractors" has an automation risk of 44.8%, which is closely aligned with its base risk of 45.5%. This moderate risk level is primarily driven by the specialized skill set required in chiropractic work, combining both manual and cognitive tasks. The most automatable aspects involve systematic evaluation and routine diagnostic actions, which are more easily codified and executed by emerging AI and robotic technologies. Given that many procedures in this field rely on established protocols and physical repetition, advancements in medical imaging and robotics heighten the likelihood that certain tasks can be transferred to machines with increasingly sophisticated capabilities. Among the top automatable tasks are evaluating the neuromusculoskeletal system through standardized chiropractic diagnostic systems, diagnosing health problems by reviewing medical histories, and carrying out manual adjustments of the spine or other parts of the musculoskeletal system. These tasks often involve following set procedures and interpreting medical data, areas where AI and robotics have demonstrated growing proficiency. For instance, diagnostic AI systems can analyze patient histories and imaging results rapidly and with consistent accuracy, while robotics continue to advance in precision for repetitive manual procedures. This means that routine evaluations and adjustments, which traditionally relied on human expertise, are at a higher risk for automation. However, several crucial tasks remain resistant to automation. These include suggesting and applying supports such as straps or braces, recommending or arranging for specialized diagnostic procedures, and consulting with or referring patients to other health practitioners. These elements require a level of clinical judgment, individualized care, and professional collaboration that current technology struggles to replicate reliably. One key bottleneck to full automation in chiropractic work is the skill of originality, rated at only 2.9% and 3.1%. This low level reflects the challenge of mechanizing the intuitive and adaptive decision-making that chiropractors employ, especially in complex or ambiguous cases. Overall, while automation will likely transform many components of chiropractic practice, the subtler aspects requiring human judgment and collaboration will continue to depend on skilled professionals.