Review of 5 common chiropractic tables

Know the most common chiropractic tables used by professionals.

A chiropractic table is the primary tool, besides your hands, that allows you to effectively and efficiently correct musculoskeletal issues. This, along with their prices, makes their purchase one of the most important you’ll make for your practice.

Which are the most common among other professionals?

Flexion Tables. According to the American Chiropractic Association, between one-half and two-thirds of practicing chiropractors use the flexion distraction technique developed by James M. Cox, DC.¹ This makes the flexion table one of the most common tables found in chiropractic offices across the nation. Many types of flexion tables exist, some with airdrops and others with manual drops, allowing you to find one that suits you and your patients.

Elevation Tables. Adjusting a table according to DC and patient height and physical abilities is valuable. Elevation tables better effectuate the adjustment while the patient is at the best height for the most comfort and greatest possible outcome. Some come with manual drops for the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic areas and others offer automatic drops.

Hi lo Tables. In addition to raising patients horizontally, you can also raise them vertically with this table. This is important when dealing with patients who may have a difficult time getting on or off the table, such as the elderly or someone with an injury that makes it hard to move.

Stationary Tables. Another common chiropractic table is a stationary table, and the reason it is still used today is it’s relatively low maintenance. With fewer parts and pieces that move, less can go wrong, meaning that it should last quite a long time. Some stationary tables also include massage rollers, allowing you to help loosen your client’s tight muscles before conducting the adjustment.

Decompression Tables. Decompression tables are used for patients who are experiencing degenerating, herniated, or bulging discs, whether from normal wear and tear or from some type of accident or injury. Spine-health points out that these particular tables are designed to elongate the spine in an effort to reduce pain that the patient feels in the back or leg area.³

Which table is right for you?

To help you answer this question, here are some different questions that will get you on the right track:

• What types of adjustments perform most? Your table should be suited for the types of adjustments you regularly use.
• What is your typical patient’s physical ability and size? The location of your practice often dictates the type of patients you see. If you have many patients with physical limitations, a stationary table may reduce their quality of experience.
• Which tables make the best financial sense for your practice? Purchasing within your budget make great business sense. While table prices start at over $2000, many companies offer payment plan options to make purchases more affordable.

References

¹ Lukacs, C. “A Life’s Effort.” American Chiropractic Association. http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=4076. Accessed July 1, 2015.

² Spine-health. “Doctor Perspectives: Chiropractors Discuss Spinal Decompression for Back Pain.” http://www.spine-health.com/blog/doctor-perspectives-chiropractors-discuss-spinal-decompression-back-painPublished November 2010. Accessed July 2015.