Monday, November 24, 2008

What Physical Therapy Table is best for Your Practice?

By Amy Nutt

When you're in the business of physical therapy, it is important that you have the right types of tables. It does not suffice to have just one type of table. That is because your patients come in different types. They come in different shapes, sizes, and conditions. If you have just one type of table, you're not going to be able to serve everyone who walks through your door. That can do a lot of harm to your bottom line and there are going to be a lot of people wanting you to help them, but you can't.

Finding the right table

Two of the most common types of physical therapy tables are the Classic Clinician style tables that you see in spas and various physical therapy offices. You will also see the heavy duty treatment table for bariatric patients. These are just two of the physical therapy supplies that are going to make your business as successful as possible.

Most importantly, you want to make sure that your physical therapy equipment can treat anyone in a variety of different situations. Take the bariatric patient, for example. They have had their surgery and are on their way to losing weight, but many years of being overweight has taken a toll on their body. As they lose weight they are able to move around more and may need therapy to strengthen and condition their muscles. However, a heavier duty table may be needed if they are seeking out therapy at the beginning of the weight loss process. This is to ensure they are as comfortable as possible.

So how do you find the right physical therapy equipment such as a physical therapy table? Ask yourself the following:

Do I have patients with mobility issues?
What type of services do I offer?
Does my standard table meet all of my needs? What needs is it not meeting?
What have my clients said about the tables I am using?

You may not realize that you have the answers to these questions, but you do. Use these answers to determine if you need positioning tables, flat tables, special hydraulic tables, inversion tables, mat tables, tilt top tables, or another one of the many tables out there. Think of the function of each of these and think of your patients. Make sure that you can serve the different types of patients that need you. For example, hydraulic tables are great for those with mobility issues and can also treat a variety of other patients. They are heavy duty, so they can also handle an excessive amount of weight.

Because you are in the physical therapy field, your business probably offers massages. If that's the case, then massage tables should be a part of your physical therapy supplies. That way you can administer the right massages. These are more like your Classic Clinician style tables, which are the ones you see in health clubs and spas. They can be positioned just right to administer an effective massage.

Quite profitable

If you have the right physical therapy equipment, you can count on increasing your profits. Patients are going to choose the office that has the right equipment over the office that doesn't have the right equipment. If patients are saying great things about you because of the physical therapy supplies you have, others are going to find out. Think of it as a considerable return on your investment. If you have to purchase multiple tables, you're going to be able to cater to different types of patients. Having the right physical therapy equipment means they'll love you for it. - 15438

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