According to the 2009 Consumer Industry Survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association, revenue for massage therapists is on the rise and most, if not all, rely heavily on repeat business. An uncomfortable massage therapy table or one that is awkward for the practitioner to work with won’t affect the fee for that particular visit but it will be a big consideration for the client when it comes time to reschedule.

Employees or contractors in spas and centers may not have any control over the selection of massage therapy tables or other equipment used by the facility. Most business owners, however, are receptive to suggestions that will favorably affect their bottom line. If an upgrade to more comfortable massage table equipment will increase profits, then such a recommendation will be welcome.

Perhaps the most important consideration is that for clients to receive the best service, the table must fit the massage therapist’s height and the width should be wide enough to be comfortable for the client without being so wide the therapist has difficulty effectively reaching them. Proper attention should also be placed on the practitioner having access to a massage table chair, one that is designed to be used with that table model. Then there are numerous other options and massage table accessories that can increase the quality of experience for the client.

Upgrading to tables that tilt or “flex” makes it easier to reach areas of focus and expand the modalities offered. Padding choices range from the traditional semi-firm that balances support and relaxation to newer products that employ a memory function that conforms to the body’s shape. Rounded corners allow greater freedom of movement. Reiki endplates are very popular and provide far more room for the practitioner’s knees while seated. Adjustable extensions for face rest cushions not only increase the comfort for the client but extend the length of the table which is very important for taller clients.

There is a new massage table design that incorporates an adjustable breast comfort plate which can also be used to raise the shoulders when the client is in the supine position. This allows the practitioner to focus on areas previously difficult to reach. This new technology is a marked improvement on tables with cut outs or the use of pillows or bolsters.

As design and technology advance, customers will seek out those that provide the most benefit and overall enjoyable experience. Professional massage therapists who stay abreast of and incorporate these changes will not only guarantee the loyalty of their current clients but they will also attract new customers.

The economy is expected to struggle for quite some time which means that more and more people will be searching out those professions that are continuing to do well. Competition will increase. Taking the time to do your research so that you can provide your clients with the best massage equipment that your budget will allow will more than pay for itself, now, and in years to come.

The newer tables on the market, like the ABC Massage Table from Oakworks, are such a leap forward that they simply cannot be ignored. The difference in the level of comfort afforded all clients, but especially women, is exponential. Surveys have shown that once a female client has experienced a massage on a table with an adjustable breast contour design, she will travel farther, spend more and risk leaving a trusted therapist to visit a center that has an ABC table.

No doubt you have worked hard to develop the loyalty of your clientele. Are you confident that what you currently offer will suffice in the future? The field of massage therapy has gone through a change generated by an influx of new therapists. How will this affect your business?

Most things in life tend to go through cycles, and that usually holds true when talking about occupational demand. The most recent downward spiral in the economy was detrimental to many, if not most, occupations. Massage, however, was one of the exceptions.

It should not be surprising that times of economic upheaval create an increased demand for techniques that alleviate stress. The more interesting aspect of the recent trend is that the same climate that created more need for relaxation techniques like massage also sparked a surge in the number of people changing careers and opting to become massage therapists.

When the economy tanked and people lost their jobs by the thousands, many saw it as an opportunity to leave behind corporate type work environments that were not making them happy, even when business was good. Massage therapy seemed to offer a way to not only make a decent living but also provide a service that they could feel good about because it is something that people genuinely need.

Inevitably, though, just as we’ve seen this happen in the past with teachers and nurses, the supply will fill the demand and competition for clients will increase. This means that it is essential to start now to do the things that will give your practice the advantage it will need to remain strong in the future.

Continuing education, sharpening your skills and learning alternate modalities are all excellent methods of giving you an edge. However, to keep your clients satisfied and continuing to give you those crucial referrals, it is essential that you stay abreast of innovations in equipment. This is especially true when it comes to your massage table.

The silver lining in the constant bombardment of bad news is that the need for massage services should remain strong for a long time. There is no reason that an experienced practitioner with excellent skills and a good quality, comfortable massage table should not be able to do quite well.

Most massage chairs are portable, so a key feature will, of course, be the ease of set-up and transport. It is important to balance light-weight with durability and comfort. The better made portable massage therapy chair will provide the most comfort for the client and, at the same time, allow accessibility for the massage therapist.

Some models offer removable knee rests and adjustable seat height while others include sternum pad features designed to ease pressure points. Comfortable face rests and adequate padding make a big difference for the client so that they can relax and get the full benefit of the experience.

Not all that long ago, chair massages were dismissed as not being real massages and considered a fad that would fade away. No one expects that anymore. Stress is rampant in our society. On-the-job stress has skyrocketed at an alarming pace. Employers now recognize that not only is this affecting the health and well-being of their employees but it has proven to significantly affect job performance. The combination of increased cost for employee health care benefits and loss in productivity takes a huge toll on the all-important bottom line.

Massage has become one of the most recommended forms of treatment for stress and for the achy muscles, sore backs and stiff necks that result from too much time spent behind a desk or doing the same repetitive motions. Even though we all know the importance of ergonomic design there are actually few places where it is properly implemented. Being in one position for long periods of time results in tight muscles which, in turn, can impede blood and lymph flow throughout the body.  Is it any wonder that so many of us complain of low energy and mental fatigue? Or that there is such a high incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries?

Proactive employers are contracting with massage therapists to come to the work place and offer chair massages to their employees on a regular basis. A 15-minute session in a massage chair once or twice a week can achieve many of the same benefits as full body massage. Among other things, employees report feeling more relaxed, having less muscle pain, fewer headaches, the ability to think more clearly and greater flexibility in their movements.

The employer ends up with a much happier and more productive staff. Absenteeism goes down, retention rates go up and stress-related injuries are reduced. Everyone wins.

Shiatsu is form of massage developed in Japan. The Shiatsu therapist uses fingers, thumbs, palms and sometimes even elbows to apply pressure to specific pressure points. These pressure points, called meridians, are also referred to as acupuncture points. It is believed that these are intersections along the body’s energy pathways.

Shiatsu massage is reported to bring about relaxation, relieve pain, including headaches and PMS, reduce anxiety and counter insomnia. Massage oil is not used and the client remains fully clothed. Often performed on a special mat, low massage therapy tables are available that have been specifically designed for Shiatsu. Their use, however, is somewhat controversial. Some practitioners believe that proper pressure can only be applied if the client is at floor level.

Rolfing is the result of the life-work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Motivated by her own health problems and those of her sons she became fascinated with the structural functions of the body and its relation to gravity. According to Dr. Rolf, “This is the gospel of Rolfing: When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.”

Rolfing practitioners believe that the body consists of a network of connective tissues that surround and support all of the other parts of the body. Rolfing teaches the manipulation of the fascia tissue and muscles to release stress, realign posture and restore balance to the whole body. Due to the rather vigorous manipulations and stretching done during a Rolfing session, the massage table needs to be extremely well-built and sturdy. Rolfing practitioners prefer the same type table as found in a chiropractor’s office or centers that specialize in sport’s massage or one of the extra wide, low mat tables.

The Feldendrais method, also known as functional integration, teaches through exploring a series of precisely structured movements that involve thinking, sensing, moving, and imagining. Gradual, easy movements evolve into those of greater range and complexity. The practitioner uses his or her hands to guide the client’s movements, using a hands-on technique to encourage the client to experience the connections among various parts of the body.

As in the previous two methods, Feldendrais involves a great range of movement and manipulations requiring a floor mat or lower massage table. A portable mat table is available that is specifically designed to support this style of body work.

In the choice of massage table equipment, the same rule of thumb can be applied as in all other areas — using the right tool for the job is always the best decision.  It is essential to stay abreast of innovations in your field of expertise. As new and improved equipment and massage table accessories become available many of your clients will be aware and looking for them. Stay ahead of your competition by always providing the best experience possible.

Just before the beginning of the year, Oakworks, one of the top manufacturers of massage and medical tables announced the release of the ABC massage table. ABC stands for adjustable breast comfort and was invented by Rebecca Savich, who appreciated the benefits of frequent massage sessions but not the discomfort created by laying face-down on a solid surface. Tables designed with cut-outs were better than those without but still provided a fairly uncomfortable experience. After several years of learning how to navigate the world of inventions, she has now partnered with Oakworks and the ABC system is a reality.

Massage tables equipped with the ABC system have an adjustable pad area that can be raised or lowered with a powerful foot pump and release valve. These can be operated by the massage therapist without any interruption at all to the session. The design allows for all body types and sizes and provides more than adequate support for whatever technique that is being used by the practitioner while reducing pressure on the breast area.

While the original intent of the ABC system was to increase the comfort for women during a massage, it actually does much more. When the client is on his or her back, the pad, which is well-cushioned, can be raised above the level of the table. This not only opens up the chest but also creates far easier access to the back and neck for the massage therapist. With the back in this position and using the attached face rest to support the head, range of motion work can be done far more easily and effectively.

The most innovative massage table design in the world will not bring your clients back if your technique is not sound or if your attitude and professionalism are not exemplary. As competition increases, your clients will have more choices and many of them will also offer a quality service. What will set you apart is the ability to provide the absolute best experience available. Once someone has the opportunity to compare sessions on the traditional table with the ABC table, it may well be the deciding factor.

The quality and comfort of your massage table simply can not be over emphasized. Next to your skill and experience, it is the number one factor in how your client will rate the experience, whether he consciously realizes it or not.

First impressions are lasting impressions. Obviously, everything your client encounters from the moment he walks through the front door should be clean and in perfect working order. If the massage table is an older model, at the very least, the padding should be replaced and upgraded to one of the newer multi-layer foam products. These vary in thickness depending upon the desired balance between support and comfort with the options ranging from firm, semi-firm, plush and even one with memory foam.

A better choice than trying to refurbish an older table, however, is to consider moving your massage table up to the top of your priority list and invest in the best model that you can afford. Not only will this allow you to provide your client with a superior massage but it will also reduce the amount of effort required on your part and alleviate a lot of unnecessary strain.

In addition to the improved experience for the client and the fact that it would make your job so much easier, there is another reason to make sure you have the best table possible. Times are tough for people. The economy may or may not be improving. People are anxious about their finances and far more selective about where they spend their money. When they walk into your treatment rooms and they see a new, state-of-the-art massage tables, it makes a statement to them. It tells them that you not only claim to offer a service that will help them function better and be able to enjoy their favorite activities but that you take your business very seriously.

The fact that you are willing to invest in quality equipment immediately raises your client’s perception of the value they are receiving. Combine that with good skills, experience and a professional attitude and your client list will continue to grow.