Table safety part one: the basics

By Brandi Schlossberg

When you think about a chiropractic table, the thoughts and images that come to mind might well include healing, rehabilitation, relief from pain, and a boost to overall health and wellness. While it is true that a chiropractic table can serve as the foundation for all these benefits and then some, it is also important to keep in mind that these tables can pose risks when they are not managed and cared for properly. Here, we will cover a few of the basics when it comes to chiropractic table safety.

Basic safety begins with the professional chiropractor and his or her office staff. For this reason, everyone who works in the practice should be trained in basic table safety right away.

One of the most important aspects of keeping everyone safe around a chiropractic table is to know how the table works inside and out. This means understanding what each and every button or lever does, how fast the chiropractic table raises up and down, whether the raising and lowering is automatic or manual, how any drop segments or traction elements work and so on.

Of course, before this thorough process of getting to know your chiropractic table, one must first ensure that the table is put together the right way. In some cases, the manufacturer of the chiropractic table may send out a representative to put the table together for the chiropractor. In other cases, the chiropractor may be responsible for some of the assembly. Either way, there needs to be total confidence that the table has been set up properly and is sturdy and reliable.

An equally important aspect of basic table safety is the instructions or guidelines you give to every person who comes in the door at your practice. All office staff should be trained to inform clients that no one else should be near the chiropractic table, except for the client and trained staff members. It is especially crucial to keep small children away from the chiropractic table, because they may be injured or even killed if they are beneath the chiropractic table when it lowers.