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A Clean Sweep: How to Keep Chiropractic Tables Clean and Working Properly

 

A patient walks into the chiropractor’s office and before they know it they’re told to, “Lie face down on the table, please.” Personally I always feel like a large croissant being stretched out on a piece of wax paper, but that’s beside the point. What’s important here is that the chiropractic table has a fresh piece of paper on it, including the area for your face. We’re not talking rocket science here, but research has shown that chiropractic tables in general often test positive for pathogenic microbes and bacterial contaminants, specifically methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Your Worst Enemy

Just in case you did not know, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (also known as MRSA) is a type of staph-bacteria that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. In layman’s terms, BLA’s kill bacteria. So guess what, if the MRSA is BLA resistant that means the spread of germs continues uninhibited, is contagious and can cause any number of life-threatening infections.

But it gets worse; MRSA thrives in the nose and on the skin of humans. MRSA is spread by coming in contact with an infected person or by exposure to a MRSA-contaminated object or surface that an infected person comes in contact with.

And what exactly do you think a chiropractic table is? A surface! And if the facial area of the C-table is not covered then the chance of infection increases! This is not only disgusting in and of itself but any risk, however slim, of a patient being exposed to possible infection or other health issues should be of great concern for your (or any) chiropractor.   

Cleanliness 101

Scary stuff to be sure, but the simplest solution to stop the risk of MRSA or any other germs in spreading is by establishing a standard cleaning schedule for disinfecting the chiropractic table. Not only is the standard of ensuring there is fresh paper on the table that stretches from head to toe, but wiping down the table several times a day or whenever it is warranted will halt any microbial growth in its tracks. Every office will develop its own protocol, but wiping down the tables at the beginning and end of each business day is the least one can do.

Think about it: the chiropractic treatment table you lie down on includes a face cradle where you place your face during treatment. So why wouldn’t you want to have that particular piece of equipment cleaned and covered. As a patient you have every right to demand the same.

Being Keen on Keeping Clean

Whether it’s performed in the name of customer service, professionalism or cleanliness, disinfection for the prevention of the spread of germ and bacteria is important. It’s commonplace nowadays to clean our hands throughout the day. The norm should also include that the chiropractic table is wiped down and freshly covered after each patient visit and that certainly includes the face-cradle. 

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Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Parker Knight

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