How was the Anteater invented?

Inventions often come from necessity.  After over one hundred years of doctor's destroying their hands doing anterior adjustments and no viable option in sight, the Anteater was devised.  The prototypes had gone through rigorous testing with two goals in mind; protecting the doctor's hand while giving a thorough and comfortable adjustment.  When giving anterior adjustments with the Anteater, there in not an ounce of pressure on the doctor's hand.

How is the Anteater made?

Every Anteater is proudly manufactured in the United States where an honest wage is paid to the steel fabricators who make them.  The outer shell is made from high-grade polished stainless steel.  The welds used on the Anteaters are TIGs, which are a bit more difficult of a weld to perform than standard welds.  The TIG welds are used on the Anteater for cosmetics and because TIG welds are known for their strength.  The rubber pads are made form recycled car tires. 

On what kind of surface can the Anteater be used?

The Anteater can be used on any surface that you are able to use your hand to give an anterior adjustment. The Anteater can also be used on surfaces that you would normally not want to use your hand, such as on a wall for a standing adjustment or on a bare floor.  Keep in mind that using the Anteater on such a surface may mar or scratch the polished stainless steel or damage the unprotected wall.

Is the Anteater Comfortable for the patient?

Most patients report that the Anteater is more comfortable than the doctor's empty hand anterior adjustment. 

At our trade shows, the Anteater has adjusted hundreds of doctors.  By far the most common comment is that they are surprised with how comfortable it feels.

Is it easy to use?

The Anteater is a breeze to use.  Just slip it on and adjust as you normally would without it. 

I have heard that the Anteater actually makes the anterior adjustment easier to perform.  How can this be?

Because the rigid stainless steel shell does not "give" under the patient's spine like the doctor's empty  hand, the doctor does not need to apply as much force as he or she normally would when performing the anterior adjustment.  Simply put, when using the Anteater, doctors discover they now apply less pressure on the patient in order to adjust them.

Is there a learning curve?

Even if you are very good at giving anterior adjustments, there is a learning curve.  This learning curve ranges from one day for some doctors to several months for others.   Although the latter is rare, there are a few doctors that have reported that they had used it for months before it became "part of them".  By and large we find the vast majority of doctors are off and running within the first few days of using it.  Until you are completely comfortable with the Anteater, we suggest adjusting friends, spouse or staff. 

How do I feel the patient's spine with my hand inside the Anteater?

One you become comfortable with using the Anteater you will find that there is quite a bit of "feel".  With practice the Anteater will become an extension of your hand.  You will not only feel where to place the Anteater on the patient, but you will also feel the adjustment transmitted through the shell.  Until you become comfortable with the feel of the Anteater, we advise using your thumb (which hangs out of the device) to palpate, to help you place it properly on the patient's spine.  Every doctor is different and some take longer than others for the Anteater to become an extension of their hand.  Most doctors report a "Eureka!" moment, like learning to ride a bike, where they suddenly "Get It".  One practiced with, you should be easily able to feel for the placement and also the joint movement.

Can I use the Anteater on all of my patients?

You will not want to use the Anteater on some patients.  These would be comprised of very small children, severely osteoporotic elderly patients and those with extremely severe scoliotic spines.  Keep in mind that the Anteater is currently used comfortably and effectively on thousands of children, elderly and scoliotic patients.  You will usually only be limited in the extremes of these cases.  With proper practice, the cases that would you would not be able to use the Anteater to perform your usual anterior adjustment should be less than 5% of your patient base.

I have a very large or very small hand.  Will the Anteater fit?

The Anteater is one size fits all.  It is designed to be just the right size to comfortably slip under the patient's spine.  It's proper size also adds just the right amount of mass under the spine for resistance while giving the adjustment.  For women doctors and those with smaller hands this added mass adds an advantage during the adjustment.  The Anteater does not need to fit snugly on the doctor's hand nor does it need to be loose.  Some doctors using the Anteater with very large hands are only able to slip the Anteater on just up to, or just past their knuckles.  Remember that once the Anteater is placed in to position under the patients spine, your hand has very little to do with the adjustment.  Theoretically, your hand does not even have to be inside the Anteater to make it work.   On some very large patients, you may even find that you will want to slip the Anteater under the spine, then remove your hand altogether and thrust with both hands free.

Is the Anteater sturdy?

The Anteater with it's stainless steel frame and firm rubber pads should give you years of trouble free use.  In September of 2008, to test the durability of the Anteater, a 5,700 pound full size 2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax was driven over the Anteater.  The Anteater ended up slightly deformed, all of the welds remained intact and although mishapen was still completely usable.  (Please don't try this at home as it will void your warranty.)

How do I clean the Anteater?

Since the Anteater is made with highly polished stainless steel, you never want to use anything but water or stainless steel cleaner on it's shell.  Products like 409 or Windex can leave funny marks on the steel.  If you own stainless steel appliances, you are probably already aware of this.  The Anteater is very easy to keep clean.  Stainless steel cleaner can be purchased in either an aerosol can or "wet wipe form" from Lowes, Target, Best Buy or similar stores.

Each Anteater comes shipped inside its own protective canvas bag with logo.  We suggest keeping it in the bag when not in use.  This Canvas bag can also be used to "buff" the Anteater between uses.  When buffing the Anteater with its canvas bag, use the bag "dry" only with no cleaner.

What is the warranty on the Anteater?

The Anteater is covered for repairs on the frame for 3 years from the date of purchase at no charge.   After 3 years, if the frame needs repaired, there will be a small cost depending upon what the problem is.

The Anteater is covered for normal wear and tear only (adjustments) and not for abuse caused out of the normal spectrum of treating patients (running it over with a car, using it as a hammer, etc).   We reserve the right to decide whether the damage was due to normal usage or not.

The rubber pads are covered for 1 year from the date of purchase for free replacement.   After 1 year the cost is $10 per pair.

Each Anteater is built to last and should give you years of trouble free use.  In fact, unless you lose or misplace it, it should very well be a one time purchase.  Every Anteater is thoroughly inspected to be defect free before shipping.  

Why are all sales final?

The Anteater is currently in use by Chiropractors all over the World and its numbers are growing.  With the Anteater, satisfied doctors have given ten's of thousands of adjustments to satisfied patients.  Our company is not unique in a no refund policy, as many companies, especially those that sell a specialty item in which wear and tear can occur cannot return the item. The Anteater is manufactured using high grade polished stainless steel, as in high end appliances. This gives it a beautiful and professional appearance. Normal use will in no way harm the structural integrity of the Anteater but it may cause tiny blemishes and or scratches in the polished stainless steel.  We cannot resell such items and therefore cannot accept returns.  We stand behind the Anteater's growing reputation among doctors and patients as the premier anterior adjustment tool of the future. 

If you have purchased an Anteater and have any further questions on its use, we are always simply an email or phone call away.  You may also catch us at any of our upcoming trade shows.