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A drop table allows chiropractors to perform spinal adjustments with less force.
It uses the force of gravity provided by a quick drop of the applicable table section to assist in adjustments. This drop helps to facilitate the adjustment by allowing for a more precise and controlled application of force.
Are you interested in this form of gentle chiropractic technique? If so, read on because in this post, we explain how gravity and drop tables work in chiropractics. We dive into their benefits around precision and controlled adjustments and see how they compare to manual adjustments.
A drop table, also known as a drop piece chiropractic table or drop piece table, is a specialised type of chiropractic adjusting table. It is equipped with sections (or “drop pieces”) that can be independently raised and then released to create a quick, controlled drop beneath the patient.
These drop pieces typically correspond to specific areas of the spine or joints being adjusted.
Newton’s First Law of Motion, also referred to as the law of inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. In simpler terms, it means that objects tend to maintain their current state of motion unless something else influences them.
If an object is at rest, it will stay at rest unless a force acts upon it. Likewise, if an object is moving at a constant speed in a straight line, it will continue to do so unless a force changes its motion.
This law forms the basis for understanding the behaviour of objects in motion and is fundamental in the study of physics.
It was also fundamental in the development of the chiropractic drop table!
American chiropractor Dr Clay Thompson invented the drop table in the 1950’s. He was looking for a safe way to treat a particular patient, and Newton’s First Law of Motion came to his rescue. It gave him an idea for a table that incorporated drop away sections that could gently assist with spinal adjustments.
His table, known as the Thompson Drop Table, went on to become a key piece of equipment in chiropractic practice and the cornerstone of the ‘Thompson Technique’. It allows chiropractors to perform precise, controlled, consistent, low-force, high-velocity adjustments with minimal patient discomfort.
Drop tables work by utilising the force of gravity and the momentum generated by the drop to assist in the adjustment process.
When a specific segment of the spine needs to be adjusted, the chiropractor will typically apply a quick, controlled thrust to that area. That section of the table then drops away under the patient, allowing the force of gravity supplied by the drop to assist in the adjustment.
This technique can be particularly useful for patients who may be sensitive to manual adjustments or for those with certain conditions that require a gentler approach.
The patient lies face down or face up on the drop table, depending on the area of the body being adjusted.
The chiropractor identifies the area of the spine or joint that requires adjustment and positions the patient accordingly on the table.
With the patient in position, the chiropractor applies manual pressure to the specific area of the spine or joint that needs adjustment. They may use their hands or a chiropractic tool to deliver a quick, controlled thrust to the area.
As the chiropractor applies pressure, they simultaneously release the drop piece corresponding to the area being adjusted. This creates a sudden drop beneath the patient, which assists in facilitating the adjustment with less force.
The combination of the manual thrust and the drop piece’s movement helps to realign the spine or joint, reducing restrictions, improving mobility, and potentially alleviating pain or discomfort.
When comparing drop tables to purely manual adjustments, both methods aim to achieve the same goal of correcting spinal misalignments and improving overall function.
However, drop tables provide an additional element of mechanical assistance, making them potentially more suitable for certain patients or conditions.
The drop table is one of many methods used in chiropractic care to help improve spinal alignment, relieve pain, and promote overall wellness.
It uses the principles of gravity to add gentle mechanical impetus to both manual and instrument assisted adjustments. The result is a very precise, controlled and gentle chiropractic technique that suits a wide range of patients.
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