User’s Guide To Treatment Couches

Niall Dyer, MD of Plinth 2000, offers guidelines for choosing a medical-grade treatment couch.

The treatment couch is a fundamental piece of equipment for many hands-on practitioners, whether you are providing clinical treatments and examinations, physiotherapy and massage, sports therapy, beauty and health spa procedures, or complementary techniques. The couch plays an important role in ensuring the safety and comfort of your client during sometimes lengthy procedures and affords the necessary dynamic stability for carrying out your treatment in the most efficient manner possible.

The regular lounger-style treatment couch or plinth is the most widely used format and there are a number of different configurations to suit a range of treatments, procedures or therapies, as well as budget levels and workspace considerations. As a director of one of Britain’s leading equipment producer and someone who is familiar with market offerings worldwide, I can offer you a quick insight into the main choices on offer.

2-Section Couch
Basic essential for any physician’s office, outpatient department, hotel spa, or massage, sports therapy and physio clinic, this format combines strength, functionality and value for money, with a stable platform for manipulation, examination and minor procedures; the adjustable backrest allows patients to be treated in a comfortable reclined or prone position, while electric or hydraulic height adjustment enables a perfect working position for the practitioner.

3-Section Couch
Popular, versatile format with adjustable back and footrest sections, enabling the patient to face in either direction and facilitating comfortable sitting, reclining or lying flat, with an ergonomic breathing aperture for safety when face down; an ideal platform for general treatment and therapy techniques, right through to heavy manipulation, this format allows optimum client access and positioning at a perfect working height, with some models offering the further flexibility of motorised seat tilting.

4-Section Couch
Also known as a traction table, this 4-section couch incorporates a friction-free rolling platform that is ideal for lumbar and cervical traction, in either the seated or prone position, and is available with an electronic traction unit, harnesses, mast and spreader bar; providing efficient and comfortable traction therapy, the sliding seat section can also be locked in place, so that the couch functions like a normal 3-section plinth.

5-Section Couch
Similar to a 3-section model, but with adjustable armrests alongside the backrest, this format offers additional comfort for patients lying prone, by enabling the arms to adopt a more natural position and removing tension from the shoulders, with a breathing hole normally fitted; ideal for sports therapy, lumbar flexion and heavy manipulation, this 5-section format features adjustable foot section, backrest and working height positions, with drainage facilities also an hygienic option.

Drop End Couch
Suitable for smaller treatment areas and clinician’s offices, this versatile 3-section couch has a foot section that drops down to 90°, enabling its use as a comfortable chair, as well as a regular examination and treatment couch; back section and footrest adjustment allow flexible patient positioning, with electric and hydraulic variation of the working height, while optional arms or stirrups enable its use for a range of minor and gynaecology procedures.

Fixed Height Couch
A fixed height, usually 2-section couch that is perfect for GP surgeries, physicians’ offices and sports therapy use, with a sturdy frame, fully washable upholstery and manual backrest mechanism that equip it for many routine examination and treatment procedures; around half the price of a fully adjustable 2-section couch, it comes complete with in-built drawers and storage space, and is a highly affordable choice for most examination rooms.

Portable Treatment Couch
The starter couch for many new clinics and practices, as well as being ideal for domiciliary visits, pitchside and locker room use, this sturdy, lightweight portable table is suitable for routine procedures and examination, sports massage, physiotherapy and mobile beauty and aromatherapy treatment; it is capable of handling standard working weights, but folds easily into its own carry case for ease of storage and transportation.

Of course, having made your choice, you still have to ensure that the couch is CE and MDD certificated, capable of lifting the required safe working load, has inherent strength and rigidity, carries a manufacturer-backed guarantee and is supported by an after-sales parts, service and replacement upholstery package. Thankfully, this is one area where buying British is the key, especially from a well-respected, NHS-approved supplier like ourselves.

Further enquiries to Plinth 2000 at Wetheringsett Manor, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket IP14 5PP, tel 01449 767 887, email sales@plinth2000.com, www.plinth2000.com