Proper posture can relieve back pain.
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting a person's muscles and bones through techniques such as spinal manipulation, kinesiology and applied ergonomics. To do this, they not only employ their brains and hands, but also a variety of tools and equipment to help them identify, isolate and correct problems.
Tables
Specifically designed tables are a mainstay of most chiropractors. A chiropractic table's main purpose is to give a patient a surface to lie on while the chiropractor analyzes his condition. Chiropractic tables can be adjustable according to a patient's height and comfort levels. Portable models are used by chiropractors who make in-home visits. Tables are usually heavily cushioned to minimize patient discomfort as the chiropractor manipulates the musculoskeletal systems.
X-Ray Machines
When a patient's condition cannot be fully diagnosed by direct observation, a chiropractor can employ an X-ray machine. This allows the chiropractor to get an inside view of the patient's bones to detect any breakages, grinding or nerve-pinching that might be the cause of pain or other troubles. Having an in-office X-ray machine also helps the chiropractor and patient save time and money by avoiding trips to the hospital for similar scans.
Activator
An activator is a common chiropractic manipulation tool consisting of a hand-held device with a rubber tip. The tip is used to apply precise amounts of pressure on small areas on a patient's body. Activators are helpful when a chiropractor has to deal with a patient possessing frail or underdeveloped bone structures, such as infants or elderly persons.
Massage
Massage tools range from hand-held balls and rods to electronic devices that apply vibrations and/or heat to a patient's muscles. Massage tools help a chiropractor work stress out of a patient's body, relax tight or cramped muscles, analyze muscle response to stimuli and manipulate pressure points to relieve pain.
Tags: Massage tools, patient body, X-ray machine