Chiropractic table care: When was your last oil change?

One of the most common tools in any chiropractic office is the adjusting table—it may be the second most important piece of equipment after a chiropractor’s own hands.

And just as a new car buyer must invest time and money to maintain their purchase, so too must a chiropractor invest time and money to maintain each adjusting table.

The three most basic car care practices also apply to chiropractic tables:

• Keep it clean. Everyone knows hand-washing leaves a better shine than a car wash.

• Routine maintenance. Is it time for an oil change?

• Get insured. The warranty won’t last forever.

Here, we explore how to put these auto rules to use in a chiropractic office.

Keep it clean

The easiest way to help maintain chiropractic adjusting tables, as well as to dramatically reduce the chances of infection for patients, is to have a strict disinfection routine in place. At the very least, the paper covering the face rest on the table should be completely changed after each patient. This will protect against any skin oils, secretions, makeup, or nose mucus from building up on the face rest. DCs should also cover the entire table with fresh paper after each patient.

Furthermore, the table should be wiped down with disinfectant wipes at the start of the day, once during the day, and at the end of the day. If the table is not disinfected daily, the buildup of skin oils and dirt may eventually damage the padding on the table itself over time, as well as harbor bacteria and other pathogens.

Routine maintenance

Just like getting a car’s oil changed, a chiropractic table may need regular tune-ups. This could involve

• Tightening bolts that have come loose due to regular daily use

• Replacing worn nuts, screws, and hinges

• Applying lubricant to keep all joints and hinges working smoothly

• Repairing and/or replacing worn padding

Get insured

The most cost-effective way to pay for table maintenance is to purchase a service contract. While most reputable table manufacturers offer a warranty good for table repair or replacement for a certain number of years, it is very possible that the table will need servicing long after the warranty has expired.

Look into purchasing the service contract from the same company that supplied the table, as it will have the most up-to-date information from the manufacturer on the table parts and maintenance schedule. Furthermore, the company will be able to order replacement parts more quickly than will a third-party service company. Purchasing the service contract from the table supplier may cost more than a third-party service company, but the quality of service may be worth the extra expense.