Common Chiropractic Equipment

spinal stenosis

Ever wonder what that machine you see in the chiropractor's office is? How about what the table you lie on is called? The machines in the chiropractor's office are all designed to solve your many back ailments. As high tech and intimidating as the machines seem, they are really quite fascinating to understand. In this article there will be several machines listed that are common in chiropractic office. We will also tell you what they do and how they work. Hopefully next time you go into the chiropractic office you will have a better feel for what is being done to your back.

Computerized Traction Tables

Computerized Traction Tables are non-surgical devices that relieve back and neck pain that is caused by pressure put on the spine. The table stretches, pulls, and relaxes the different parts of the spine. Older traction machines would sometimes pull too quickly and cause uncomfortable or ineffective pain relief. The computerized table, however, is slow and can be controlled much easier than its ancestors. So what is it doing to you? The patient is strapped in to this machine and it will slowly reach enough tension or "pull" that the pressure on the disc will be released. The machine decreases the pull in smaller and smaller increments to release all of the pressure without harming the patient. The reasons for spinal decompression include regaining normal length and alignment of the spinal cord, to lessen or eliminate muscle spasms, and to relieve pressure on nerves (especially spinal).

BioDex Balance System

The BioDex Balance System is designed to improve balance, increase agility, and develop muscle tone. This system allows for patients to do training in both static and dynamic formats. Among the wide variety of training methods this system offers are, postural stability training, maze control training, weight shifting training, random control training, limits of stability training, and percentage weight bearing training. The machine features a moving plate that patients stand on. The plate shuffles in different ways depending on the training needed. Through repeated exposure, muscles and coordination are built. With focus on the knees, ankles, hips, and lower back this machine will improve coordination, balance and muscle within 6 to 8 weeks for most patients.

Free Motion Dual Cable Cross

The Free Motion Dual Cable Cross might be a mouthful to say but is a machine you are likely familiar with if you have been in a gym. This machine has two cables that can be positioned in a variety of directions depending on what you want to work out. You then assign weight to the cables and pull away. With twelve vertical and nine horizontal settings, this machine can essentially cover any movement pattern. While common in gyms for simple weight-lifting, a skilled chiropractor uses these for rehabilitation and movement training.

Power Plate

The Power Plate is a vibration machine used at some chiropractic practices. By using unique acceleration technology it stimulates the brain's natural response to vibration. If you remember the 80s there were vibration machines that used bands to "rub away the fat". Power Plates use the vibration in a different way. By standing on the plate, doing regular exercises, the vibration intensifies the muscle strain and creates a stronger workout in less time. Additionally, the unstable feel of standing on the plate generates coordination and balance benefits. This can also be accomplished by the much less safe method of working out in an earthquake.

Medical machinery includes many of the most intimidating machines we regular folk ever have to interact with. Having an understanding of what these devices do makes it easier to step into/on/around them and start reaping the benefits of human ingenuity. So, when you next walk into your chiropractor's office, take a look around and see if there are any machines you might recognize. Hopefully knowing how it works will make it a little less creepy.