A deeper look at drop tables

Looking around at the various chiropractic tables on the market today, one thing you’ll notice is that many come with drops segments, either standard or as part of an optional package. Here, we will take a deeper look at these kinds of chiropractic tables, including some of their best uses within a professional chiropractic clinic.

With drop tables, there are certain segments that are can be raised, usually around three quarters of an inch to one or two inches. These pieces will remain elevated until the chiropractor delivers his or her adjustment. At that point, the force of the adjustment, along with the patient’s body weight, will drop the segment back down into alignment with the rest of the table.

The drop in elevation is allowing more space for motion when the adjustment is applied. This can be beneficial because it works with the force of gravity, enhancing the thrust of the adjustment without the need for increased force from the chiropractor. This type of adjustment is often called a drop table adjustment, though it may also be known as a table assisted adjustment or the Thompson technique.

Among the conditions that a drop table may be used to address are hernias, sciatica, lumbar plexus disorder, and disc injuries. A chiropractic table with the drop segments in the right places may also be used to deliver adjustments to the entire spine, from the lower back and mid back to the neck.

In many cases, a chiropractic table may come with standard drop segments, then allow for the option of selecting a number of other drop segments throughout the table, as well. Common drops for a chiropractic table may include a thoracic drop, a lumbar drop, and a pelvic drop. One chiropractic table may come equipped with manual drops, whereas another model might have automatic drops or air drops.

Besides giving the professional chiropractor the ability to practice the Thompson technique or drop table adjustment on his or her clients for a variety of issues and conditions, such a table may also allow the chiropractor to better handle challenging scenarios. The ability to perform a table assisted adjustment can come in handy when dealing with clients who may be suffering from an injury, as well as older patients and those with osteoporosis.

A chiropractic table with drops can be useful for these clients, among others, in that it reduces the amount of force applied to the patient’s body and allows gravity to create the momentum necessary for an effective adjustment.