Massage Chairs

So you've got your massage table, what other pieces of massage therapy equipment are there? It's no secret that to provide the best possible service to your massage clients then you must have the right tools for the job. A massage table, oil and towels are often all you need to start with, but as your business grows you may want to consider investing in more equipment so that you can be sure no matter what the next patient throws at you (metaphorically of course) you'll have an answer!

What Are Massage Chairs?

There are two types of massage chairs that I know of. the first is the recreational kind that people buy for themselves. These vibrate and give a massage automatically and can be a great way to reduce stress and avoid injuries. These chairs often cost upwards of £3000 so are not for the person on a tight budget! They are also not for sports massage therapists as this would basically do their job for them!

Luckily they are no where near as good as a human massage therapist and in fact are a poor replacement.

The other kind of massage chairs are those made for professional massage therapists. These allow you to get the patient in different positions than a bed would allow, allowing you to work other areas of the body more effectively.

Things to look for in a massage chair:

• Portability. If you are going to be travelling with your massage therapy equipment a lot you need to make sure the chair is fold able and very portable to make it easy for yourself. Otherwise it may be you who needs a massage if you carry it around for too long!
• If the chair is meant as an extension to a massage table, make sure it fits the table you already have. Must will, but some won't, so it's worth checking.
• Make sure there is a range of tilting and a face rest so that you are covered on all bases.

The most important thing is to decide what you want from a massage chair and then look for one that ticks all those boxes.

Massage Tables

If you have managed to get a steady stream of clients through the massage door then you'll already be aware of the importance of a good massage table. The table literally can make or break your massage career, as it makes a huge difference to the quality of sports or pleasure massage. If you have a table that won't support a persons weight properly for example, or can't be set at the right height for your back, then you'll definitely have trouble with your massage and the customer experience will no doubt duffer.

So now we've established that the massage table is the most important piece of massage therapy equipment we now need to learn more about them, read on for more information....

Types Of Massage Beds

Like any kind of product, massage beds come in many different shapes, sizes and value for money! The cheapest are little more than a wooden table covered with a cushion and a head rest, while the best have electronic systems for raising and lowering the bed as well as the angle of the back.

Of course which one you choose depends on what kind of massage you do (for example a sports massage therapist will need a more flexible bed) and where you do it. If you visit clients houses, you'll definitely need a portable massage bed, while if they come to you it may be worth splashing out on a higher quality bed to provide your customers with the best possible experience.

For example Evergreen tables make a student bed which has the very basics - leg extensions, foam covering and safety lock - but if you are just starting out this may be a good choice for just £99. However if you are already a professional you''ll want more advanced features than that with the ability to raise and lower the bed no the fly.

Some companies that manufacture massage beds and chairs include Asta, Earthlite, and Banner Therapy.

The prices of the beds can be quite steep. A beginner one will cost around £100 while professional ones can cost a lot more than that. The best way to decide if it is the right one for your business is to read reviews and get recommendations off over massage therapists who can give you an unbiased opinion.