How to Recognize a Properly Trained Chiropractor

In the Netherlands, a properly trained chiropractor is hard to recognize — the training behind the title tells the story. That matters, because the title 'chiropractor' itself is not protected: a court confirmed in 2017 that anyone may use it. Three checks — the education, the accreditation, and the complaints procedure — reveal who is trained, registered, and accountable. This article walks you through each one.

The title 'chiropractor' is not protected

A surprising fact for many people: in the Netherlands, the title 'chiropractor' is not legally protected. A court confirmed this in 2017: the BIG act sets no education requirements for people calling themselves chiropractors, and the profession cannot enforce them. In practice, that means someone without an accredited education may also use the title. The vast majority of chiropractors in the Netherlands, however, are properly trained and registered — and this article shows you how to tell the difference yourself.

Registered chiropractor or chiropraktiker: two routes

In practice, two groups exist. Registered chiropractors are listed in a quality register — the SNRC or the SCN — and completed an accredited, ECCE-recognized program of 4 to 8 years depending on the country. They follow mandatory continuing education, work according to guidelines, and fall under an independent complaints board. The professional associations behind these registers are the DCF and the NCA.

There are also chiropraktikers or therapists who perform manipulations without registration. They often completed a shorter or alternative training. That does not automatically mean they are incompetent — but it does mean nobody has verified their training, you will not get insurance reimbursement, and there is no complaints board to turn to if something goes wrong.

How to check in three steps

Three simple checks remove the doubt:

• Check the register. Is the chiropractor listed with the SNRC (registerchiropractor.nl) or the SCN (stichtingchiropractie.nl)?
• Ask about the education. Where was the chiropractor trained, how long did the program take, and is it accredited (ECCE or CCE)? Training differs by country — our overview of 20 countries and their programs shows the difference.
• Check reimbursement and complaints procedure. Health insurers only reimburse chiropractic care when the practitioner is in a recognized register. A registered chiropractor falls under an independent complaints board — a safety net if something goes wrong.

Why some doctors are critical

To be honest: the scientific evidence varies by condition, which is why some doctors are cautious. For low back pain and neck complaints, solid research exists: Cochrane reviews show spinal manipulation can help with chronic low back pain and neck disorders. For other applications the evidence is more limited — and we are honest about that too.

Part of the criticism concerns the title. In 2023 the Public Prosecution Service ruled that chiropractors may use the title 'Dr.' on the basis of their foreign doctorate — 'confusing but not punishable', as the NTVG put it. And academia is moving too: in 2025, VU Amsterdam appointed a chiropractic researcher as special professor. We gladly answer critical questions during your first visit.

What this means for you

At Embody Health, the answer to all these checks is simple. Our chiropractors trained at recognized institutions — including the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, the route with the strictest admission requirements and the longest required training (7-8 years) of the twenty countries in our comparison. They are registered with the SNRC and follow yearly continuing education. Across our clinics in Alphen aan den Rijn, Amersfoort, and Rotterdam, we have helped more than 2,500 people, with an average Google rating of 4.9 out of 5.

During your first visit, we assess your complaints, explain how we work, and answer all your questions about education and registration — so you can decide with all the facts in front of you. Call +31 172 26 3073 or book online.