Out with the old: Signs you need a new chiropractic table

It’s often said that “nothing lasts forever.”

While this line is typically used to refer to either feelings of love or heartbreak, it also applies to the equipment you use in your chiropractic practice—especially your chiropractic table.

Of course, many factors affect how long your current table with last, such as how many patients you see, how well you take care of it, and how well it is made. But, regardless of all of these, there comes a time in every table’s life when it simply makes more sense to replace it versus doing a repair. But how do you know when that time is?

To help answer that question, we’ve reached out to a few DCs who have experience in this area. Here’s what they had to say.

If your current table is showing major signs of wear

Joseph Horrigan, DC, director of The Soft Tissue Center at DISC Sports & Spine Center, the official medical services provider for Red Bull’s athletes, explains that replacement of your chiropractic table may be necessary if your current table is showing major signs of wear. These signs may include:

• If the table wobbles due to “metal or wood stress fatigue,”
• If moving parts, such as drop pieces, become too sensitive or resistant
• If you have a table that raises and lowers to assist patients, but the “hydraulics are weakening and the velocity is increasing, it is time for a new table, unless a simple part can be replaced.”

If you’re interested in keeping up with technology

Nathan Leavitt, DC of West Knoxville Chiropractic, says “I knew it was time to invest in a new chiropractic table as new technology has been introduced to provide better spinal correction and less wear and tear on the doctor. The tools and methods used by today’s chiropractors have greatly evolved and allow chiropractors to offer more advanced treatment protocol.”

Leavitt went on to say that “recent technology has shown to provide more precise treatment and less effort to move spinal bones.” In this case then, getting a new chiropractic table can be more beneficial both patients and doctors alike.

If you want to practice a new, table-dependent technique

Sometimes it’s necessary to get a new chiropractic table not because your old one has broken down, but because you want to expand your practice by using different chiropractic techniques. For instance, Lisette Rollins, chiropractor and liaison at MaxWell Medical  says that “I’d look into buying a new table if I wanted to practice a specific technique that is table-dependent, such as Thompson or Activator.”

Thus, if you’re looking at doing the same, then getting a new table may be necessary to making the transition. This would enable you to grow your practice, providing even more services to the patients that you serve.

If you’re concerned about patient perception

Another sign you need a new chiropractic table is if your old one is a turn-off to your patients, potentially hurting your practice.

“When a new patient walks into your office, you want them to feel at ease,” says Matt Tannenberg, DC, CSCS, with Arcadia Health and Wellness, where he sees elite athletes from the NFL, NHL, and MLB, amongst others.

Tannenburg explains that “having tables that look respectable and new will help with the first impression for your new patients. If they walk into your office and see old, beat up tables, your patients are going to think that either you don’t take care of your office or that you don’t have the finances to upgrade your office. Either way, their perception of you lessens.”

These are just a few signs that your current practice may benefit from a new chiropractic table. Your table is often the most important thing in your practice so make the investment.