Chiropractic tables, techniques go hand-in-hand

By Brandi Schlossberg

In the world of chiropractic care, there is a variety of techniques that may be used to help clients achieve the goals they have in mind upon booking an appointment. These methods typically aim to ease pain, promote optimal function, improve range of motion, encourage proper posture and so on. One may find that the chiropractic table used during an appointment will depend on the specific goal of the session and the type of technique the chiropractor wishes to employ.

One popular method of serving chiropractic clients is through what is known as the Activator Method. This involves the use of a small hand-held instrument that applies a gentle force to the spine. This is used in place of standard manual spinal manipulation, where the chiropractor uses is or her hands to help restore motion to a specific joint or vertebra in the spine.

In order to perform the Activator Method, a chiropractor may use what is called an elevation table. This is a chiropractic table that can be raised or lowered. Another option may be what is known as a Hi-Lo table. This type of chiropractic table can move so that the client goes from horizontal to vertical, without ever getting up off the table.

Another specific kind of chiropractic table that may make it easier to perform certain techniques is what is known as a drop table. These tables are designed in such a way that certain pieces will drop so that there is more room for movement when the chiropractic thrust is applied. Depending on the type of table, these drops may be manual, automatic or even powered by air.

The pieces of the table that are capable of dropping also will depend on the exact model the chiropractor purchases. For instance, one chiropractor may have a table that only allows for a cervical drop, whereas another may have a table that features not only a cervical drop, but also lumbar, pelvic and thoracic drops.

Spinal decompression, or the stretching out of the spine, is another technique often employed by chiropractors. This specific method of alleviating back pain and other issues can be performed on a number of different tables. For example, the Hi-Lo table mentioned in an above paragraph and referring to the Activator Method also can be used to encourage spinal decompression. Chiropractic tables that are capable of creating traction may be used to stretch and decompress the spine as well.