Chiropractic Business Tips
March 25, 2025
Whether you’re starting a new practice or looking to expand your services, having the right chiropractic tools can make all the difference in your efficiency, patient outcomes, and overall success. From adjusting instruments to diagnostic devices and therapy equipment, this guide covers the essential tools that can help you provide excellent care while growing your business.
Chiropractors need a variety of tools to provide effective care, including adjusting instruments like activators and impulse tools, chiropractic tables, cold laser devices, TENS units, rehab equipment, and diagnostic tools such as digital X-ray machines and inclinometers to assess, treat, and monitor patient progress.
When selecting tools for your practice, think about your treatment style, specialty, and the unique needs of your patients. Not every chiropractor needs the same equipment, so invest in tools that align with your approach and enhance the care you provide. One of the best tips for starting a chiropractic practice is to balance essential tools with equipment that helps you stand out in your niche and deliver exceptional patient outcomes.
A spring-loaded, handheld device, the Activator Adjusting Tool delivers quick, low-force impulses to specific areas of the spine or extremities. It’s a staple for chiropractors who practice the Activator Method, but it’s also useful fortreating sensitive patients (like seniors, children, or those with osteoporosis) who may not tolerate manual adjustments well. Even if you primarily use hands-on techniques, having an adjusting instrument like this adds flexibility and precision to your treatments.
Price Range:
Approximately $300 to $700 for a high-quality tool, with some advanced impulse adjusting instruments costing $1,000 to $2,000.
The Impulse Adjusting Tool is an electronically powered instrument that delivers controlled, targeted thrusts to the spine or extremities with adjustable speed and force settings. It’s designed to mimic the precision of manual adjustments while offering consistent force, making it a great option for chiropractors who want to reduce the physical strain of manual adjusting or add more instrument-assisted techniques to their treatments. It’s also well-suited for patients who prefer gentler adjustments or have conditions that require low-force chiropractic care.
Price Range:
Expect to invest between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on the brand and features, with some advanced models exceeding $4,000.
A Cold Laser Therapy Device (also called low-level laser therapy or LLLT) uses low-intensity light to stimulate healing at the cellular level. Chiropractors often use cold laser for pain relief, reducing inflammation, and speeding up tissue repair—making it a valuable tool for treating both acute injuries and chronic conditions. Offering laser therapy can alsodiversify your services, attracting patients looking for non-invasive pain relief options.
Price Range:
Entry-level devices start around $1,000, while professional-grade systems with advanced settings and multiple wavelengths can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
An inclinometer measures the range of motion in a patient’s spine or joints by tracking angular movement. It’s anessential tool for documenting progress, especially if you work with personal injury cases, workers’ compensation claims, or detailed treatment plans. Many chiropractors use it during initial assessments and re-evaluations to show objective improvements over time, which can also help with insurance documentation.
Price Range:
Basic manual inclinometers start around $50 to $100, while digital versions with enhanced accuracy and data storage can cost between $200 and $500.
A TENS unit delivers low-voltage electrical impulses through adhesive electrode pads placed on the skin. These impulses help reduce pain by blocking pain signals to the brain and encouraging the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. Chiropractors often use TENS for muscle relaxation, pain relief, and improving circulation, particularly for chronic pain patients or those recovering from injuries. Some practices also offer home-use TENS units for patients to rent or purchase, adding a retail revenue stream.
Price Range:
Professional-grade units typically range from $100 to $500, while portable units for patient use start as low as $30 to $100.
A massage gun is a handheld percussive therapy device that delivers rapid pulses to muscles and soft tissues, helping to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and speed up recovery. Chiropractors often use massage guns to prep muscles before adjustments or relax tight areas post-treatment. They’re also a popular cash-and-carry product if you want to offer patients tools for at-home self-care between visits.
Price Range:
Expect to spend $150 to $600 for a professional-grade massage gun, with consumer models available for $50 to $150.
Cervical traction devices are used to gently stretch the neck, helping to relieve pressure on the cervical spine, reduce nerve compression, and improve alignment. Chiropractors often recommend these for patients with herniated discs, pinched nerves, or chronic neck pain. Some devices are used in-office for supervised treatment, while home-use versions allow patients to continue traction therapy between visits—offering a potential retail opportunity.
Price Range:
Basic over-the-door models start around $30 to $60, while inflatable and mechanical home devices range from $75 to $200. Clinical-grade electronic traction units for in-office use can cost between $1,500 and $4,000.
The ArthroStim Adjusting Tool is an electric, handheld instrument that delivers rapid, repetitive thrusts (up to 12 per second) to help chiropractors perform precise, targeted adjustments with far less physical strain than manual techniques. It’s particularly useful for treating sensitive patients, areas requiring gentle force, or patients who prefer instrument-assisted adjustments. Many chiropractors appreciate how the consistent, controlled impulses allow for customized care, especially for complex cases.
Price Range:
Expect to invest between $1,500 and $2,500 for a high-quality ArthroStim device.
The Functional Rating & Analysis System (FRAS) Adjusting Instrument is a specialized chiropractic tool that combines assessment and treatment into one device. It helps chiropractors evaluate joint motion and function while simultaneously delivering precise mechanical adjustments based on real-time feedback. This dual-purpose tool is ideal for chiropractors who want to track objective progress throughout care plans and tailor adjustments based on functional data, rather than relying solely on feel or patient feedback.
Price Range:
These advanced instruments typically range from $3,000 to $5,000, with some systems including software integrations or expanded analysis features reaching $6,000 or more.
The Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Instrument is a highly specialized tool used to perform precise, gentle adjustments to the atlas (C1 vertebra) without the twisting or cracking often associated with traditional cervical adjustments. This instrument uses a percussion wave, rather than manual force, to realign the atlas based on exact measurements from specialized imaging. It’s a must-have for chiropractors practicing the Atlas Orthogonal technique and can help attract patients seeking gentler, highly targeted upper cervical care.
Price Range:
This is a significant investment, with instruments typically costing between $15,000 and $25,000, especially when bundled with necessary imaging equipment and software.
A digital X-ray machine allows chiropractors to capture high-quality images of the spine and joints for diagnosis, treatment planning, and progress tracking. Digital systems are faster and more efficient than traditional film X-rays, with instant image processing and easier storage and sharing options. For practices focused on structural correction, personal injury cases, or advanced diagnostics, having in-house imaging adds convenience for both practitioner and patient—and can be a valuable revenue stream.
Price Range:
Digital X-ray systems typically range from $40,000 to $100,000, depending on features, imaging quality, and whether you’re upgrading an existing system or purchasing a complete setup.
Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to penetrate deep into muscles and soft tissues, helping to reduce pain, improve circulation, and accelerate healing. Chiropractors often use it to treat muscle spasms, joint stiffness, and soft tissue injuries. It’s a non-invasive therapy that can complement adjustments by relaxing tissues before manual work or promoting healing after acute injuries.
Price Range:
Entry-level portable units start around $200 to $500, while clinical-grade systems with more settings and precision can cost between $1,500 and $5,000.
A diagnostic thermal imaging device (also called thermography) detects and maps heat patterns and temperature variations on the surface of the body. Chiropractors can use it to identify areas of inflammation, nerve irritation, or circulatory issues, providing visual, objective data to guide treatment planning and track progress over time. It’s particularly useful for documenting injury cases or offering advanced diagnostics for patients seeking high-tech assessments.
Price Range:
Basic handheld devices start around $1,500, while high-resolution clinical systems with advanced imaging software can range from $10,000 to $25,000.
A chiropractic table is the foundation of every practice, designed to position patients comfortably and allow optimal access for adjustments. Depending on your technique, you might choose a manual drop table, a flexion-distraction table, or a high-low table that raises and lowers to accommodate patients with mobility challenges. Investing in the right table enhances your efficiency, patient comfort, and overall workflow, making it one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll buy.
Price Range:
Basic stationary tables start around $500 to $1,500, while drop tables and flexion-distraction tables typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. High-low tables and elevating tables with multiple features can cost $6,000 to $15,000 or more.
Adding rehab and exercise equipment to your practice helps you go beyond adjustments, offering active care solutions that support strength, flexibility, and injury recovery. Common equipment includes resistance bands, stability balls, foam rollers, balance boards, and therapeutic exercise mats. For chiropractors focusing on corrective exercise or rehab programs, this equipment allows you to guide patients through customized exercises, enhancing outcomes and encouraging active participation in their recovery.
Price Range:
Basic items like bands and foam rollers cost as little as $10 to $50, while balance boards, weights, and rehab stations range from $100 to $500. Larger equipment, like multi-station rehab systems, can exceed $2,000 to $5,000 depending on complexity.
Kinesiology tape is an elastic therapeutic tape applied to the skin to support muscles and joints, reduce pain, and improve circulation without restricting movement. Chiropractors often use it to extend the benefits of in-office treatments, provide stability after adjustments, or support injury recovery. It’s a versatile, low-cost tool that can alsogenerate retail revenue if you offer rolls for patients to purchase for at-home use.
Price Range:
A single roll typically costs between $10 and $20, while bulk packs for clinic use range from $100 to $300.
Sacro-Occipital Technique blocks are specially designed wedges used to gently correct misalignments and restore balance between the sacrum and occiput (the base of the skull). Chiropractors practicing SOT place these blocks under the pelvis while the patient lies down, allowing the body’s own weight and gravity to facilitate gentle adjustments. SOT blocks are particularly useful for patients needing low-force care, and they can be a valuable addition to holistic or whole-body chiropractic approaches.
Price Range:
A quality set of SOT blocks typically costs between $100 and $300, depending on the material and design.
Chiropractic practice management helps streamline scheduling, billing, patient records, and documentation, freeing up your time to focus on patient care. With the right system, you can track progress, manage insurance claims, and improve communication, all while running a more efficient, organized, and profitable chiropractic practice.
While hands-on tools like adjusting instruments and therapy devices are essential, chiropractic practice management software is just as important for running a successful practice. Unlike a free SOAP note template, which still leaves you managing paperwork manually, the right software streamlines documentation, scheduling, billing, and patient communication all in one place. If you’re exploring your options, look for a chiropractic EHR software free trial to test how well it fits your workflow and supports both your patient care and business goals.
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