How do you determine table height before a session?

[shibby]

How do you determine table height before a session? :?: :massage:

 

[altaira_3]

I look at my client and determine how "thick" they are and then I ask if they want deep tissue. If one of those is true I will go down one notch. If both are true I will go down two notches. But I have done so many massages at the spa where I literally did not have time do ask those questions, let alone change my table height, that I have learned that I can do a massage with the table at the wrong height. I KNOW it's not good for me, and I resort to almost entirely elbows and forearms during that time, but I know that I can do it once in a day and not harm myself. Do it several times and yes, I will be in danger. If the same thing happens several times in a row I just say to hell with being on time and take the time to lower the table. (at that point we're probably already 20 minutes behind in the schedule anyway!)

Now, if they are therapuetic and wanting structural bodywork, I will go down two notches (or more) no matter what size they are. But this rarely happens in the spa, and at home I always schedule with room inbetween so I can change the table height as I talk with them.

 

[concerned]

When I was in school, there was no time between clients at the clinic to change the table height. They were training us for spa work, so the focus was "deal with it" and being able to do a 50 minute massage every hour on the hour. We were told to set the table at a height comparative to our height. Individual instructors, however, stressed different heights for different sized clients and different types of work. I went with the instructors advice rather than clinic management advice. I go to my clients and set the table up in their homes, so I can easily size the table to the client and work needed, except when I am working with the very elderly. When I have a senior group I set the table at its lowest level for the safety of my clients. With the smaller ones, the table is too low for me and I spend too much time with my knees bent a bit too deeply for my comfort, but it saves my back and I am fine at the end of the day.

 

[Bolt Thrower]

My teacher for Swedish told us to set the table height to our height. Specifically, she said to put our arms to our sides and then flex up at our wrists, and adjust to that level.

 

[Pompal 09.]

My teacher for Swedish told us to set the table height to our height. Specifically, she said to put our arms to our sides and then flex up at our wrists, and adjust to that level.

Which works beautifully for massaging the table, lol. That was what we were told for student clinic.

 

[smilebeth24]

My teacher for Swedish told us to set the table height to our height. Specifically, she said to put our arms to our sides and then flex up at our wrists, and adjust to that level.

Which works beautifully for massaging the table, lol. That was what we were told for student clinic.

Exactly. It amazes me how many schools still teach this old standard. I cannot count the number of students that go through a clinic all day working on different body thicknesses and never adjust their table height. Like stated... adjust your table to the level of the body part you intend to massage. If the client is in side posture the table needs to go way down.... if the client is 3' thick ditto. If you are only working ankles and calfs don't set the table to their back width. These little tips can help you work pain free for years.

 

[none]

Our school teaches us to begin by setting the table based on where our closed fist hanging strait down barely reaches the table, then to make further adjustments based on the 'thickness' of the client we will be working with.

So far this has worked really well for me.

Our school really stresses proper body mechanics and I am really very grateful for that. When I first started the Swedish massage class my lower back hurt! (first week) Our instructors stayed after us, correcting our improper body mechanics. Now, I'm in my 7th week and I don't feel the slightest twinge, even after working for over an hour. Sometimes I'm sweaty :roll: , but never in pain or sore.

 

[Brooks]

My teacher for Swedish told us to set the table height to our height. Specifically, she said to put our arms to our sides and then flex up at our wrists, and adjust to that level.

Which works beautifully for massaging the table, lol. That was what we were told for student clinic.

Ha ha! EXACTLY!

I learned mostly by trial and error what height is the best FOR ME. Interestingly another therapist in town who is the exact same height has her table two inches higher than mine. It would KILL me.

I lower it from my "default setting" when certain clients come in. I won't usually change it when meeting someone for the first time with them standing right there but I'll make a note in their chart to "lower table".

I've recently lowered my "default" one notch to accomodate my belly. Which now proceeds the rest of my by more than a little. :-D

Angela

 

[betty s/nikoly]

Within a month of graduating, my table was fully 3 inches lower than when I went through clinic, and I don;t hurt anymore.

And I can't lower it any more than it is!

 

[HOV Ranch]

Amanda, that is an interesting concept-- the foot of the table lower than the head, do your clients ever feel like they are sliding down the table?
Maybe the bolster helps stabilize them?

 

[tessa wessa]

Amanda, that is an interesting concept-- the foot of the table lower than the head, do your clients ever feel like they are sliding down the table?
Maybe the bolster helps stabilize them?

actually, i did this before i added the neck support. no one ever notices, to be honest! not once has anyone mentioned it. the neck support was added b/c of the number of elderly clients i have with arthritis and neck pain. you should try it. and then let someone else get on and see if they notice a difference. 1-2 notches should be enough. they probably won't notice it, but they shouldn't complain of feeling like they're choking or stopping up anymore!
hth!

 

[Ciaci]

I adjust my table height based on client size & the modality used in the session. Higher tables for lymphatic work, lower tables for deep tissue therapy. However, overall I keep my table a notch higher than most massage therapists, because I have hypermobile joints. It's really easy for me to hyper-extend my wrists if my table is too low.

 

[jeeze s]

How do you determine table height before a session?

I mostly offer DT massage and I was taught to have the table height at the tips of your fingers so my table is on the last hole. I even learned my Swedish massage on a low table.

 

[kaiy2k]

How do you determine table height before a session?

I set the table roughly to my knuckles, then go up or down slightly from there depending on the client. I'm blessed to have a hydraulic table at work, so I can adjust as needed with the client on the table.

I have to admit - I hear people talking about lowering the table to make it easier on their backs and body mechanics, but holy heck! If the table is even an inch lower than my knuckles (on an "average" client) EVEN when I'm paying crazy attention to body mechanics, either my knees or back are screaming at me by the end of the massage. I've tried to work through it since so many people talk about lower tables being great, but for me and my body, I just can't do it.

 

[Wake n Bake Grl]

How do you determine table height before a session?

This is going to sound crazy silly - but I am short as short can be, and my current table cannot go any lower. I am still working on getting a new one. I hate wearing shoes when I do a massage - but if my client is larger than average or requests deeper work than average - I pop my shoes on. They lift me up just enough that I am not standing on tip toes (the whole time, anyways) to dig in. But, I have yet to have a very large client, so it works for now.

If it were at all professional and good for my back, I would just keep a selection of heels in my room, and wear them based on client size and the kind of work requested! :

 

[Cookie]

How do you determine table height before a session?

This is going to sound crazy silly - but I am short as short can be, and my current table cannot go any lower. I am still working on getting a new one. I hate wearing shoes when I do a massage - but if my client is larger than average or requests deeper work than average - I pop my shoes on. They lift me up just enough that I am not standing on tip toes (the whole time, anyways) to dig in. But, I have yet to have a very large client, so it works for now.

If it were at all professional and good for my back, I would just keep a selection of heels in my room, and wear them based on client size and the kind of work requested! :

Do you have someone that can make a table for you?

 

[jeansgirl40]

How do you determine table height before a session?

I don't have anyone that can make one for me. However I have found a few tables from manufacturers that do go low enough that I could work comfortably with them - however I haven't been able to find anyone here in Canada that carries the specific models - and shipping from the united states is crazy expensive so I've been holding off for now until things at work get a bit steadier.

There is a massage supply store that sells a few different brands of tables close by, but they only sell select models. I think I am going to take a road trip up there soon and check out what they do have, and see if there is any possibility of them ordering a different table from the manufacturers and if it would be cheaper that way!

 

[jennifer L]

How do you determine table height before a session?

Monkey- Maybe you could cut the legs and/or drill new holes. (just looked at my table and that would work if I needed it to be lower). You would want to be precise on the cuts and new holes so you don't end up with different length legs. I was once going to fix a wobbly coffee table. . . ended up being about 3 inches shorter by the time I finally got the legs all the same length. People asked why it was so short and I just said that's how I got it. :grin: Jonathan

 

[Nicole C]

How do you determine table height before a session?

Luckily my other half is a carpenter! He could fix my table up which is actually something we have discussed and will be doing. I do still want a new table as I kind of just bought a 'cheapo' while in school until I was sure I was really going to like doing the work. Will take my 'cheapo' table as a mobile table for when I go visit friends and family, or to use at home. I haven't had a chance to steal it away from work yet to get him to fix it all up for me as we've got a student in right now using my room when I'm not there. But once she's done her practicum I'll be able to take it home on a day off and get him to sort it out. I might wait until I do have a new table though, just *incase* something goes wrong and my current one gets messed up somehow. Wouldn't be good for business if I don't have a table!