How Does an Adjustment Table Work in Chiropractic Care?

by Governor's Park Chiropractic | May 2, 2025 | Articles

If you’ve ever stepped into a chiropractor’s office, you might notice a few differences between the chiropractor’s table and a standard medical examination table. Often built with more attachments and adjustment knobs, chiropractic adjustment tables are a cornerstone of modern chiropractic practice, playing a pivotal role in delivering safe and effective adjustments. Adjustment tables are a valuable tool in chiropractic offices, enhancing chiropractors’ ability to provide accurate adjustments and treat targeted spine areas. 

While these adjustment tables seem daunting with their audible drops and advanced mechanisms, chiropractors are trained to use these tables to deliver precision adjustments for overall patient satisfaction and relief. Here, we will explore the ins and outs of chiropractic adjustment tables, focusing on how they work, when they are used, and how they assist chiropractors in delivering the best possible results. 

The Mechanics of Chiropractic Adjustment Tables

At its core, chiropractic adjustment tables are designed to help chiropractors apply the right amount of force to the spine to address spinal misalignments. Sophisticated engineering principles in manufacturing allow chiropractic adjustment tables to operate under enhanced functionality. 

A key component of chiropractic adjustment tables is their “drop section.” The drop section is a segment of the table that can be quickly raised and lowered. Chiropractors may push or pull a lever to raise the drop section, preparing the patient for their adjustment. Under pressure, this raised section is designed to drop suddenly during the adjustment, creating a brief period of reduced pressure on the spine, allowing chiropractors to apply a quick and controlled short thrust to the targeted spinal area. Known as “impulse adjusting,” this chiropractic technique is widely used among many chiropractors. 

Many chiropractic tables have evolved to meet the needs of patients of all sizes, needs, or ailments. As drop-section adjustment tables continue to serve as a staple of chiropractic care, new additions have been incorporated into them to target even more specific areas of the spine, emphasizing patient comfort. Advanced chiropractic adjustment tables feature articulation to accommodate patients’ spinal curves and body contours for stable and accurate adjustments. In contrast, other features such as headrests, footrests, and height-adjustable sections allow for an even more targeted approach as patients can lie in adjusted positions. 

Safety Concerns When Using Adjustment Tables

Patient safety is paramount in any healthcare setting, and chiropractic care is no exception. Chiropractors undergo rigorous training and certification processes to master safe and effective spinal adjustment techniques. This includes extensive practical experience and a deep understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Developing new adjustment tables involves meticulous research, testing, and safety evaluations to minimize the risk of injury or patient harm.

Modern chiropractic tables are designed with patient safety in mind. They incorporate smoother, more controlled movement, robust construction for stability, and easy cleaning and disinfection to maintain a hygienic environment. By eliminating the sudden drops associated with older table models, these advanced tables allow chiropractors to perform adjustments with greater precision and control, enhancing patient comfort and safety.

The Versatility of Adjustment Tables

While the primary purpose of adjustment tables is to assist with drop-section adjustments or general alignments, they often include an option to lock moving sections for use as a standard medical examination table. In a typical chiropractor’s office, adjustment tables may be the standard in every examination room, even if you are there to receive another treatment, such as acupuncture or massage. 

Adjustment tables have expanded their role in chiropractic offices. Many chiropractors utilize adjustment tables for various soft-tissue therapies such as massage therapy, myofascial release, or trigger-point therapy. The stable and supportive surface provides an excellent base for performing these techniques while keeping the patient comfortable and relaxed. They also work as excellent stabilizers for patients participating in physical therapies during chiropractic visits, acting as an assistive device for bending, stretching, or standing. 

Advantages of Using Chiropractic Adjustment Tables

The drop function of modern chiropractic adjustment tables can be highly effective in relieving and managing spine pain. Patients with chronic back pain, often due to spinal misalignments in the lower back, are most likely to receive treatment using drop table techniques. The controlled motion of the table drop, combined with precise chiropractic movements, delivers powerful results without any unnecessary force or discomfort, making it a favorable option for patients seeking pain management.

Drop-table features can be used to treat many injuries and misalignment issues, such as herniated disks, joint dysfunction, and sciatica. While each individual’s spinal situation is unique, chiropractic adjustment tables offer a wide range of treatment options to chiropractors and patients when determining what type of treatment is viable and effective for their specific situation.  

Feel The Difference With Governor’s Park Chiropractic

Governor’s Park Chiropractic offers a full range of chiropractic treatments and therapies, including heat and cold therapy, massage therapy, spinal decompression, and spinal alignment. Using the latest advancements in technology and physical healing, our chiropractors create a tailored approach to rehabilitation and recovery, ensuring that patients can return to a pain-free and fulfilling life. 

Our chiropractors are trained in Diversified, Thompson Drop Table, Gonsteat, SOT, Flexion Distraction, and Biophysical techniques. With the help of chiropractic adjustment tables, the chiropractors at Governor’s Park Chiropractic can utilize different approaches to meet the needs of each and every patient and their individual injuries. For more information or to schedule an appointment with us at one of our clinics in Denver, Wheat Ridge, and Lone Tree, Colorado, visit our website or call us at (720) 386-4302.

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Governor's Park Chiropractic is the Colorado chiropractor team dedicated to helping individuals get out of pain and achieve better health. Offering a range of services and treatment options to meet the specific needs of each patient.