You’ve probably heard the importance of accessorizing clothing.
Whether it’s the right shoes, tie, purse, or hat, the right finishing touches to a wardrobe can help you feel more confident and proud of yourself. Accessories that are versatile are even better. You can use them to create any number of different looks depending upon the outfit you select.
The same could be said of your chiropractic table. In this case, the chiropractic table is the “wardrobe” of your practice, and the accessories you choose for it can provide you with a variety of options that allow you to better treat patients, as well as open the door to new patients and therapeutic modalities.
Furthermore, just as you might go looking for the most versatile accessories for your wardrobe, you may also keep versatility in mind when looking to accessorize your chiropractic table.
Double (or more) duty
Perhaps the biggest consideration when looking at accessorizing your table is whether or not you want it to be more than just a manual therapy table. You may be looking at using that one table for performing examinations, standard manual therapy, flexion distraction manipulations, or even massage therapy. If you were to purchase a table for each of these purposes, that would add up to at least four tables, which rapidly becomes very expensive.
On the other hand, the right accessories can allow you the flexibility to perform all these functions with just one table. Below are some of the more popular accessories that can be added onto a standard therapy table.
Cushions, blocks, and bolsters
These accessories are all designed to support or hold steady the various joints of the body. For example, a triangle-shaped cushion is slipped under the knees to support them in the bent position while the patient lies on the table in the supine position.
On the other hand, a roller-shaped bolster is designed to use the patient’s own weight to relieve joint pain and stiffness. Blocks allow you to use the benefits of gravity to help properly align the joints. They provide a gentle drop, as opposed to the standard, more forceful thrust.
Having a variety of cushions and bolsters will allow you to immobilize and support various joints while the patient is on a standard flat therapy table. Blocks can allow you to mimic the benefits of a drop table.
Face and arm rests
A standard flat table can be particularly uncomfortable for the face and arms. If the patient is in a prone position, their neck will be tilted to one side, which can add extra pressure on the cervical vertebrae. Furthermore, the arms would either dangle off the side of the table or lie next to the torso on the table. In either position, excessive pressure is placed on the shoulders in an attempt to support the arms.
A face rest accessory fastened to the end of the table will properly support the cervical vertebrae so that they line up with the rest of the spine. This makes for ideal positioning for cervical adjustments. Arm rests that attach to the sides of the table will provide support for the arms without placing extra stress on the shoulder joints.
Savvy DCs know the benefits of incorporating more treatment options into their practices. The good news is that doing so does not require you to purchase additional tables. Instead, accessories can allow you to have the best-dressed chiropractic table in town.
