Question
this is a question about the setting of weight of the thompson drop table, when laying on the table, and it is "SET TO WEIGHT" what does that mean, who sets the weight, is it necessary to know the patient's weight when adjustments are made on patient? Does the table set itself, or is it gravity, or a lever to turn? thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Elaine,

Thank you for your question about the weight settings on Thompson-style chiropractic adjusting tables.

Your general suspicions about the nature of the weight settings are basically accurate.  The characteristic function of such tables is based on various portions or individual pieces of the table being able to drop a small distance during the adjusting procedure.  This requires that the pieces be able to be held in an 搖p?position and then being able to release and drop when the appropriate downward pressure is applied.  

Each piece of the table moves on its own shaft or hinge, depending on its desired drop motion.  There is a type of click-stop friction-lock on the shaft or hinge that holds the piece in the 搖p?position against the weight of the individual on the table.  The amount of friction is adjustable so that when the chiropractor applies the gentle nudge or force, the combination of that and the person's weight becomes slightly more than what the friction-lock mechanism can support.  The result is that the piece drops.  Naturally, this point must be set according to the weight of each individual to be effective.  

There are many versions of equipment over the years of its manufacture.  How each table version is labeled or how the friction is set may vary slightly.  You may want to ask the owner of the table you noticed this on to explain it in more detail.

Elaine, I thank you for using AllExperts and hope that my information was useful.

Sincerely,
James W. Healey, DC