An insight into the world of a chiropractor
CHIROPRACTORS are primary healthcare professionals concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. In order to be a qualified chiropractor, you will need to pursue a degree in chiropractic.
One of the most exciting times while pursuing a chiropractic degree will be during your internship. One of IMU’S chiropractic students, Timothy Ngeow Yit Ming, shares his experience during the internship.
A wholesome working experience
My internship as a chiropractic intern in both IMU chiropractic clinics at Setiawalk and Bukit Jalil has been one of the most eye-opening and rewarding experiences I have ever had as a chiropractic student. The sole reason behind an internship programme is to help students prepare for what to expect from the real working world, and in my opinion, it has done just that.
One of the hardest pills for me to swallow when I first started my internship was the fact that I would be treating real-life patients for the first time. To be honest, the first few weeks were incredibly frustrating and since I was going into a clinical setting with zero experience, it was quite nerve-wracking.
What really kept me going were my groupmates, as we were all pretty much in the same boat. Adapting to a new setting takes time, patience as well as lots of effort. At the end of the day, I would say it all turned out great.
Throughout the internship, I was introduced to many different supervising clinicians who helped shape me into the person I am today. However, dealing with the differences in technique and philosophy of different clinicians does have its fair share of difficulties. Being in this kind of environment made me truly understand the phrase ‘Adapt, Adjust and Overcome’. For some people, this could be somewhat overwhelming, but for me, it was an opportunity of a lifetime to hear varying opinions and feedback from different clinicians.
Fast-forward to today, being in Semester Eight, in the last few weeks of my internship and after seeing quite a number of patients, I am pleasantly surprised about the impact chiropractic can have on people’s lives. Being in a clinic was a humbling experience as it taught me that chiropractic is bigger than just being a good adjuster. Chiropractors are first-contact practitioners, and it means that it is our job to diagnose and know when and where to refer patients when it is not within our job scope.
To conclude, I would say that being an intern for the past year provided great insight as to what working in a real clinic feels like. After seeing the impact I could bring upon my patients’ lives, from seeing them in agonising pain the first time they came in, to leaving with a smile on their faces after a few visits, the experience motivates me to keep doing what I do.
Start your chiropractic journey at IMU
IMU is the first and only university to offer a complete chiropractic educational programme in Southeast Asia. The IMU Chiropractic Programme is accredited by the prestigious Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA) and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). The only accredited chiropractic programme accredited in South-east Asia, IMU Chiropractic Programme is a four-year programme that includes academic and clinical training.
Students have the option to complete the entire degree at IMU or study part of the programme there and transfer to its partner universities, namely RMIT University in Australia, AECC University College or the University of South Wales in the UK. IMU’S alumni are currently practising in a few countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China and more.
The next intake for this programme is in September.
If you have the desire to be a healthcare professional, apply now for an excellent start to an exciting and highly rewarding career.
If you have just completed your SPM and do not have preuniversity qualifications, consider enrolling in the one-year IMU Foundation in Science, the preferred foundation and direct route for entry into any of the university’s local degree programmes. foundation and direct route for entry into any of the university’s local degree programmes.
“Chiropractors are first-contact practitioners, and it means that it is our job to diagnose and know when and where to refer patients when it is not within our job scope.”
Timothy Ngeow Yit Ming
■ For more information, call 03-2731 7272, email start@imu.edu. my or visit www.imu.edu.my.