Deciding whether to buy new equipment is no easy task, and purchasing a chiropractic table is certainly no exception.
With so many factors to consider, you may find yourself flip-flopping and changing your mind several times over.
To help you make the best choice for you and your practice, here are three questions you’ll want to ask yourself before getting out your credit card and placing your order:
1. Is my current table still functional?
If your current table is not functioning at all and it is not fixable due to obsolete parts or another major problem, you may have no choice but to buy a new one. You have to be able to care for your patients, and your current table isn’t going to do that if it is broken beyond repair.
On the flip side, if your chiropractic table mostly works and the problem that you’re having isn’t currently affecting patients, then you may be able to wait a bit longer and delay the purchase until another day—but not forever. After you detect the issue, a functioning table can buy you some time to do the research before you’re in real trouble.
2. Would a new chiropractic table make treatment better for my primary patients?
While your chiropractic table certainly has to work for you, it also has to work for your patients. If you notice that your patients are struggling with your current table or not getting the results that you desire for them, the need for improvement may be imminent to avoid losing clients.
For instance, if you have a large number of older patients, you might see that they are struggling getting on and off your current table, or you may find that female patients struggle lying prone without experiencing discomfort.
Therefore, you may want a table that you can raise and lower electronically (like a hi lo table), helping them get into proper position without feeling burdened.1 So take a moment to consider the majority of your clients and ask yourself if you could provide better or more comfortable service with a new table.
3. What can I afford?
Most tables are in the thousands of dollars, which means that this is no light business decision.
But before you decide that you can’t spare the cash right now and declare the purchase of a new table off-limits, know that companies do allow you to lease tables—some for less than $100 per month—providing you with another alternative for getting the table you want without having to drain your bank account.2
When you’re ready
Now, if you’ve asked yourself these questions and determined that you do, in fact, need a new chiropractic table, here are some more details to consider:
• What type of table do you need?
• What brand stands out to you, and why?
• What is your budget?
• What company will provide you the best service at the most affordable price?
Answer these and you’ll soon be the proud new owner of the chiropractic table you want and need.
References
1 DeBusk C. “Treating geriatric patients on chiropractic tables.” ChiroEco.com. https://www.chiroeco.com/treating-geriatric-patients-on-chiropractic-tables/68968/. Published April 20, 2015. Accessed July 7, 2015.
2 Hill Laboratories. http://www.hilllabs.com/chiropractic/. Accessed July 7, 2015.
