Most Popular Chiropractic Tools and Equipment

Chiropractic care has been around for almost one-and-a-half centuries, and it has evolved a great deal past the early days of a doctor and a wooden table. As science has advanced and we have a deeper understanding of how adjustments change our bodies and our overall health, we have seen the development of specific tools chiropractors use to create solutions for their patients.

Chiropractic tables come with more bells and whistles today than the earliest chiropractors could have ever dreamed up, and in addition to tables, there are some other indispensable tools you may see in your provider's office.

Read on to learn more about the tools and equipment chiropractors rely on to offer effective spinal adjustments.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Before we jump into tools and equipment we will first offer up a brief bit of background on chiropractic care.

Chiropractic comes from a Greek phrase meaning "hand work," and its origins can be traced to the late 19th century. Chiropractors then and now focus on subluxations or misalignments of vertebrae that can not only cause back pain but can also affect overall health.

Through manual adjustments, chiropractors correct subluxations using a variety of methods; those corrections have been made easier over the years with the introduction of equipment such as drop tables, which added force to an adjustment that the providers did not have to create themselves.

Modern advancements in chiropractic care have not only benefited the patients, they have made adjustments easier on the providers as well, reducing their own risks for strain or injury.

In the United States, upwards of 30 million people visit chiropractors each year.

Tools and Equipment Used by Chiropractors

Chiropractic offices will vary by style and specialty, and the tools and equipment used will reflect that provider's specific type of training.

The items listed below represent common tools and equipment in most chiropractic offices.

Tables

Chiropractic tables are perhaps the most important piece of equipment in any practice (second only to the doctor's two hands!) Originally, the tables were simple and flat, but over the years, we have seen great innovations in chiropractic table design.

Drop tables are perhaps the most popular in chiropractic practices these days, thanks to the fact that they allow providers to focus on specific areas of the spine by elevating them and then using pressure to "drop" segments into place. This type of table relieves the provider of having to create all of the force of the adjustment with his own body.

Decompression tables are designed to relieve the spine by tilting the body. The patient's ankles are locked into place, and she is then tilted 60 degrees in order to promote the movement of spinal fluid. These tables have been used effectively to relieve pain for a variety of patients.

A Hylo table combines both drop segments as well as the tilting motion of a decompression table, and there are also special pediatric tables used in some offices with younger patients.

X-Ray Machines

Another common piece of equipment you will find in a chiropractic office is an X-ray machine, used by the provider not only to assess patient's needs but also patient progress.

Images are often taken at a first visit or consultation to allow the chiropractor to determine the specific course of treatment needed. The X-rays will give the chiropractor a road map to get started, and additional X-rays taken throughout the course of treatment should reveal the progress from spinal adjustments.

TENS Device

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, or TENS, is a popular treatment that uses electrical impulses that stimulate nerves. These devices are being used everywhere, from spas to chiropractic offices, to treat a variety of issues.

The impulses can reduce the pain signals that travel in the body to both the brain and the spinal cord. Therefore, they are often used to relieve the types of pain that typically send people in search of chiropractic care (such as lower back pain or sports injuries). A chiropractic provider might use a TENS device in combination with spinal adjustments.

Activator Adjusting Tool

One other popular tool chiropractors use in inpatient treatment is the activator adjusting tool. This handheld, spring-loaded device is placed directly against the skin, and then the spring component is triggered in such a way that it delivers force to adjust vertebrae.

Impulse Adjusting Tool

Similar to the Activator, an Impulse Adjusting Tool assists the provider in making a specific adjustment; however, rather than relying on a spring-loaded force, this chiropractic tool uses electrical impulses.

Inclinometer

Finally, measuring tools used by chiropractors include Inclinometers. These tools are used to test the range of motion in joints, and they inform the provider's decisions about adjustments and when to change course and make corrections.

These tools are just some of the examples you will find in chiropractic offices, and your provider may use a combination of tools and equipment to ensure all patient's needs are met.

Chiropractic Tables From Spa Source

When it comes to the most important equipment in the chiropractic office, providers should always strive to purchase the highest quality tables from reputable manufacturers.

At Spa Source, we are proud to offer the best treatment tables, whether they are designed for a chiropractic practice, a massage therapy clinic, or a general health and beauty spa.

Contact our representatives to learn more about what we can offer your office, and let us meet your equipment needs with an unmatched customer service pledge. Spa Source was founded by an experienced medi-spa team that understands the needs of its clients and is committed to bringing them only the best tools and equipment for the job.