The advent of instrument adjusting has changed how Doctors of Chiropractic approach their work and revolutionized the services they can offer their patients. While manual adjustment still has a place in the work they do, many Doctors of Chiropractic have adopted instrument adjusting tools and reaped tremendous benefits as a result.
Because technology changes so quickly, transitioning from exclusively manual adjustment to instrument adjusting or upgrading your current instrument adjusting tools can seem daunting. There are several options on the market, all claiming to be the greatest, most cutting-edge tools available at the best price. Of course, not all of these claims can be true.
To help you navigate this exciting world and select the perfect instrument adjusting tools for your chiropractic practice, we have compiled a cost guide that compares the most notable brands on the market. Keep in mind that the numbers used below are ballpark figures, as the price points of the included products are not static.
Instrument Adjustors Only
A few categories of instrument adjusting tools determine what features are included and dictate, to an extent, the approximate cost of the product. The first of these categories includes only instrument adjustors, meaning that they do not come with visual analysis hardware and software.
There are three primary brands on the market today that exclusively offer instrument adjustors. They are Neuromechanical Innovations (Impulse), Activator V, and IMPAC Inc (Arthrostim). These instrument adjustors range from around $1,200 to $5,500.
IMPAC Inc offers the lowest-cost option, with its most basic package checking in at ~$1,200. If you opt for more comprehensive instrument adjustors, that price can reach ~$2,000. Sitting in the midrange price is Activator V at ~$1,600. Then, there is Impulse, which has product options ranging from ~$1,400 to $5,500 depending on the package you select. It is important to note that Impulse is the only one of the three that includes a marketing program and measurement of adjustment response—two very beneficial features.
Visual Analysis Only
On the opposite end of the spectrum are companies that offer only visual analysis products. The only noteworthy brand in this category is MyoVision (ScanVision). However, much can still be gleaned from comparing its price point to the more comprehensive packages offered by other brands.
Opting for Myovision will include both an upfront cost and a recurring cost. You will have to purchase the hardware for approximately $4,000 and subscribe to the software for $300 annually.
Instrument Adjustors and Visual Analysis
The most comprehensive way to enter the world of visualized instrument adjusting or upgrade your current tools is to select a brand that offers both instrument adjusting and visual analysis. Not only does this provide you with a complete package, but it also ensures that the two will work together flawlessly and as intended.
PulStar and ProAdjuster (Sigma) are the two most notable brands in this category. Both include everything you need to provide your patients with state-of-the-art, visualized instrument adjusting care, but some key distinctions exist. For example, PulStar includes several features that set it apart from all competition.
PulStar is the only brand mentioned here that provides full-spine display, networkable database, multiple impulse therapy modes, and much more. Its product suite is genuinely comprehensive and pushes innovation in ways others do not.
When it comes to price, both systems require a conversation with a company rep to get quotes because their packages can be customized to meet the needs of the practice making the purchase. However, when comparing the features of the two brands, it is clear that PulStar will offer more bang for your buck.
Some of the products listed here may have flashy advertisements or gimmicky features but lack the substance others offer. In a way, choosing your instrument adjusting system is like buying a car. You can opt for the shiny sports car that you just take out on the week-ends, or you can invest your hard-earned money in a purpose-built vehicle that will benefit your business all year round and for the long-term.
When it comes to instrument adjusting tools, PulStar is the superior option thanks to its truly comprehensive features and willingness to push innovation to the next level. If you want to elevate your chiropractic practice and enhance your ability to help your patients, opt for the best and choose PulStar.
