A chiropractic table is a treatment table designed for spinal adjustment and related techniques. The main types are drop tables, flexion-distraction tables, electric hi-lo tables, roller or intersegmental tables and portable tables. Clinics often pair a specialist adjusting table with standard treatment tables for soft-tissue work, assessment and stretching.
What is a chiropractic table?
A chiropractic table is a padded treatment table designed for spinal adjustment and related techniques. Unlike a flat massage table, many chiropractic tables have mechanical sections that drop, flex or move, or an electric lift that raises the patient from standing. The right type depends on the chiropractor's technique, patient profile and whether the table must travel.
Most clinics end up with more than one kind of table: a specialist adjusting table in the main room and simpler flat tables for soft-tissue work, rehab and assessment. This guide explains both, so buyers can match each purchase to a real job.
What are the main types of chiropractic tables?
The types of chiropractic tables below are described neutrally. Specialist adjusting tables are built by dedicated manufacturers; Mars Industrial makes portable and stationary flat treatment tables, not drop tables.
| Type | How it works | Main purpose | Points to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop table | Sections are cocked up and drop a short distance when the adjustment is applied | Assisting adjustment with less force | Number of drop pieces, tension control, reset mechanism |
| Flexion-distraction table | The lower section flexes and moves to apply gentle traction to the spine | Low-force lumbar and cervical techniques | Range of motion, lock positions, smoothness |
| Hi-lo table | An electric lift raises the top from near-vertical to horizontal | Patients who cannot climb onto a table | Motor service, power needs, footprint |
| Roller (intersegmental) table | Motorised rollers travel under the spine while the patient lies supine | Passive mobilisation before or after adjustment | Roller intensity, timer, maintenance |
| Portable table | Folds for transport; may be flat or include manual drop pieces | House calls, events, satellite clinics | Weight, stability, setup time |
| Flat bench or stationary table | Fixed, non-moving top | Soft tissue, rehab, assessment | Foam firmness, width, load rating |
Portable chiropractic table options
A portable chiropractic table is used for house calls, sports events, corporate screening days and satellite clinics. There are two very different products under this name.
A portable chiropractic table with drops includes one or more mechanical drop sections in a folding frame. These are specialist items: check how the drop tension is adjusted, how quickly the piece resets, how stable the table remains during a thrust, and the total carry weight. Mars does not make drop mechanisms, so we do not offer this type.
A flat portable treatment table has no moving sections and is used for soft-tissue work, assessment, stretching and instrument-assisted techniques. This is what our portable range covers. A useful reference is the Portable Aluminum Body Bed with 300 kg Working Load, with height adjustment, 5 cm foam and a carry bag included.
Roller massage tables and massage beds with rollers
The term roller massage table covers two separate products.
- Chiropractic roller massage table: also called an intersegmental traction table, this clinical unit has motorised rollers that move up and down beneath the patient's spine. It is often used before an adjustment to help the patient relax.
- Massage bed with rollers for home use: a consumer appliance with powered rollers, heat or vibration, sold for home relaxation.
Both are powered products. Mars Industrial does not make electric tables or beds, so we do not supply either type. Buyers looking for them should source from manufacturers that specialise in powered clinical or home equipment, and check electrical safety certification for their market.
Where does a chiropractic massage table fit?
Many chiropractic clinics also offer massage, soft-tissue therapy, rehab exercise or employ a massage therapist alongside the chiropractor. For those services a chiropractic massage table, or chiropractor massage table, is simply a sturdy flat treatment table with good foam, a face cradle or face hole, and a solid frame.
| Model | Frame | Notable spec | Suggested use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT-118 Heavy-Duty Commercial Aluminum Massage Table | Aluminum alloy | CE, MARK, TUV; 2-year warranty | High-use clinic rooms and mobile work |
| AT-115 Portable Aluminum Body Bed | Aluminum alloy | 300 kg working load, height adjustable | Larger patients, home visits |
| ST-102 Solid Wood Fixed Massage Bed with Chest Rest | Solid beech | Leg height + backrest adjustment | Permanent soft-tissue room |
| ST-111 Stationary Massage Table, Solid Beech | Solid beech | 6 cm foam | Rehab and assessment |
The Heavy-Duty Commercial Aluminum Massage Table is our usual suggestion for a clinic room that sees constant use, while the Solid Wood Fixed Massage Bed with Chest Rest suits a dedicated soft-tissue room where the table never moves.
These tables are not substitutes for a drop or flexion-distraction table, and they should not be marketed as such. They are the right tool for everything else that happens in a chiropractic clinic.
What is a chiropractic chair?
A chiropractic chair can mean a seated adjusting or assessment chair, used for some cervical and thoracic techniques, or it can refer to the portable massage chairs many chiropractors use at screening events and for seated soft-tissue work.
Our portable massage chairs are designed for the second use: a client leans forward on a chest pad and face cradle while the practitioner works on the neck, shoulders and back. They are not adjusting chairs. See the portable massage chair guide for frames and adjustments.
How to evaluate chiropractic tables for sale
Whether you are buying for one clinic or listing chiropractic tables for sale as a dealer, ask these questions.
- Mechanism. Drop, flexion-distraction, hi-lo, roller or flat? Match it to the techniques actually used.
- Working load and stability. Ask for the tested static load and check for movement when force is applied.
- Width and length. Narrower tops give closer access to the spine; wider tops feel more secure. Our portable tables are around 185 cm long plus face cradle, in 60, 70 or 76 cm widths.
- Face support. A face cradle that tilts, or a face hole with a breathing slot, keeps the neck neutral in prone positions.
- Upholstery. Clinics usually prefer PVC for frequent disinfection.
- Certification and documentation. Check what your market requires for clinical furniture and powered equipment.
- Service. Moving parts and motors need spare parts and service support; flat tables need far less.
For distributors serving chiropractic clinics
A practical stocking strategy is to source specialist adjusting tables from dedicated manufacturers and add flat treatment tables as a separate, higher-volume line for soft-tissue rooms, rehab areas and mobile work. That second line is where a factory like ours fits.
We supply around 50 pcs per model, with some models available from one sample, and offer CE on many models, custom colours and private-label branding. A chiropractic bed for soft-tissue use can be delivered in 25 to 35 days for standard specs. Clinic buyers may also want to read our physical therapy table guide, or browse all aluminum treatment tables.
Equipping soft-tissue rooms in chiropractic clinics? Contact us for specs and a sample.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of chiropractic tables?
The main types are drop tables, flexion-distraction tables, electric hi-lo tables, roller or intersegmental tables, portable tables and flat stationary tables. Each supports different techniques and patient needs.
Does Mars sell chiropractic drop tables?
No. Mars Industrial does not make drop tables or any electric tables. We make portable and stationary flat treatment tables suitable for soft-tissue work, stretching and assessment in chiropractic clinics.
Is a portable chiropractic table with drops worth it?
It can be for chiropractors who use drop technique on house calls. Check drop tension adjustment, reset speed, stability and carry weight, and buy from a specialist manufacturer of adjusting tables.
What is a chiropractic roller massage table?
It is a powered clinical table with rollers that move beneath the patient's spine, often used to help relax the back before an adjustment. It is an electric product, so check service support and electrical certification.
Can a massage table be used in a chiropractic clinic?
Yes, for soft-tissue therapy, rehab, stretching and assessment. It is not a substitute for an adjusting table such as a drop or flexion-distraction table.
