Good
Massage Equipment is a Must
When a client comes to you for a massage they may not be aware they are experiencing it on many levels. They will
most likely be focused on your skills in helping them to release tension and discomfort in their body. Their focus
will most likely be primarily on the physical aspects of the massage. At the same time that this is taking place
they are perhaps only vaguely aware of their surroundings and the equipment you are using. Your client needs to
first feel secure and comfortable. If they are placing their bodies on a massage table that is not solid and is
perhaps a little wobbly. you can imagine how it would take away from the work you are doing. Relaxation would be
difficult to say the least.
Massage Table
- A list of massage equipment should be a good massage
table, it needs to be sturdy with a head rest that can be removed or adjusted. The table should have good firm
padding for comfort and support and be wide enough to allow room for more full bodied clients. Check out your
local distributors for tables before you shop online, make a point of trying it out for height, sturdiness,
comfort and user friendliness. A good new table should cost approximately $300.00 or more depending on the
supplier and extra features. This is an important purchase - take time to try the tables out and shop
around.
Pillow Cases and Clean Natural Fiber
Sheets
- A good supply of clean natural fiber sheets, Towels,
Pillows and Pillow Cases. Clean Sheets and Towels may not seem important but just imagine your client looking
at the massage table with stains all over the sheets even if they have been washed. Who would like that against
their body. I guarantee most women would not come back if they saw that. The color of the sheets could be white
if you like but depending on what you are using for a carrier oil it could give you stains you can't get out.
Darker color sheets would probably do better but don't get too carried away with bright colored sheets.
Remember a calming atmosphere is needed to give your client the full benefit of his/her massage. Keep a good
supply of both sheets and towels and pay that little extra for good quality because both sheets and towels will
wear better and longer. The pillows would be best made out of feathers or another soft but supportive material.
The pillows are used to support the chest when the client is face down on the table and the shins to help
support the legs. The towels should be fluffy and not coarse feeling, one again client pampering is the key for
clients coming back again and again. Clean
Towels Sheets Pillows and Pillow Cases.
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Carrier Lotions and Oils
- Ensure you have good carrier oils and lotions. The
lotions vary but you have to ensure that they are not too greasy and don't absorb in the skin too readily. The
lotion should absorb into the skin slowly allowing you to do some work on your client for a bit before
reapplying. These lotions can be bought at specialty shops and massage equipment wholesalers. The Oil you could
use varies. Here is a short break down of some carrier oils.
Almond Oil is light and absorbs quickly into the skin. Be aware of people with nut allergies. Grapeseed oil is
a great oil which is lighter than olive oil and heavier than almond. It also has a long shelf life.
Olive Oil a heavier oil which also has a slight odor that people may not like. Ask your client if they like the
smell before you start applying it. These oils can be purchased at massage equipment wholesalers or
aromatherapy suppliers.
A Good Timer
- Get yourself a good timer so that you can be out of your
massage in enough time so that your next client is backed up. Some practitioners like to play music and when
the music gets to a certain part they go onto the next body part. Most practitioners know that clients always
have one spot they want worked on more than the other so they need to adjust their time on that one body part
and will spent less time on another part of the body.
The rest of the massage equipment is optional, from the heating pads, Bottled Water for the client after the
massage along with having an anatomical chart available to show your client some points that could affect them.
Books on anatomy, medical terms is also very helpful. Remember the top 4 pieces of massage equipment and the rest
you can get later when your client list and cash flow increases.
by Tim Lajeunesse - Aug 30/09
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