Massage Furniture - Tables For Massage Therapists

Massage, while luxurious and pampering for its receivers, is a serious profession for its deliverers requiring in depth knowledge, a highly developed skill set and unmatched professionalism. And along with these in order to make a massage profession a successful profession; there is the need for safe and effective massage equipments. 

As a massage therapist, the equipments need to depend largely on the method of seeing clients. If people work within an existing full-service spa then their massage equipment needs will be significantly less than if they have clients coming to their home or vice versa. 

If people do not see their clients in an existing spa, then people will have to provide a massage table and massage chair as part of the massage equipment. A massage table can be a permanent piece of furniture or foldout table that people should bring along with them to appointments. Massage table is generally a long table with a cushion for the client to rest their face when they are on their stomach. When purchasing this piece of massage table one should be sure that the table is of adequate length and sturdy enough to hold a variety of weights. 

There are many kinds of massage tables that are available in the market for use. Some tables are normal fixed tables and as well as some that are portable. The different types of massage tables are manufactured and sold by companies that produce massage therapy equipment. There are massage tables that are found in different price ranges. As one looks through the different kinds of tables there are, one should make sure that he is getting a table that will be suitable to his needs. Basic massage tables are made from sturdy and durable materials designed to help the massage therapist to deliver a good massage. 

A massage therapist will find that spas have massage tables that accommodate the various types of massages. For example, one might find a wet or multi-adjustable massage table. This table will allow the massage therapist to move different sections of the table into positions that will allow for the best massage. For Shiatsu massages, the massage table will need to fold. When the tables are folded, they should look like a firm flat surface that the massage therapist can kneel on when giving a massage to the client. 

Portable massage tables are lightweight, compact and sturdy. All the same, they are excellent for giving the clients a different form of massages. The compact cushion covering also supports the client throughout the intense workout they are going to be getting. Before deciding on what massage table to buy, a massage therapist should first establish what kind of massages they are going to be performing. So they need to get one that is sufficient for their needs. 

However, more important than the massage equipment or possibly considered the most important piece of massage equipment of all; it is the massage therapist's ability to connect with their client and deliver a relaxing, feasible, therapeutic massage.

The History Behind The Hot Stone Massage Revealed

Perhaps the hot stone massage is one of the fastest growing techniques being used for massage therapy world wide. Even though it is relatively new therapy, hot stone massage is growing in popularity very quickly. The healing powers of this new massage make it one of the most popular therapies. This hot stone massage therapy was first developed in Sweden and it is just like it sounds. Hot stones are used with the more traditional massage therapy to help people relive stress as well as aching tight muscles. 



The use of the hot stones massage is quite different then the usual massage technique. A therapeutic body massage is done by using a gentle touch that slowly works the kinks out of the body muscles. People may be surprised to find out that in some cases the massage therapist may even massage people without even touching them; that is where they come into play. The only time the therapist may have to touch people is to reposition the stones to ensure that they are getting the full benefits and that they are where they need to be. 

In the United States, hot stone massages are not as popular as traditional message therapies, mainly because a lot of people simply don't know about it. And even if they did, it might be difficult trying to find a hot stone massage therapist who knows how to do the technique properly. However, this does not imply that the hot stone massage is worthless. In fact, there is actually a lot of history behind the hot stone massage technique, especially in ancient Native American culture. 

Previously in US, hot stone massages were used during sweat lodge ceremonies. Basically, as the people were sweating out their physical and spiritual impurities, hot stone massages were used for added relaxation. That massage technique worked so effectively that they became known as "grandfather stones." 

Also in Hawaii, the hot stone massages technique was used for the same purposes. As the Hawaiians have access to lava stones or pohaku, the type of stones used for the massage purpose were different and for that reason, in Hawaii culture, the hot stone massage became known as 'pohaku' a term that applies even today. Also in Asia the hot stone massage was prevalent, though it was used more for therapeutic reasons; still, it offered an excellent way to put the physical body at ease, something that is especially important when a person is ailing. 

This therapy utilizes a variety of Native American and Zen techniques. The type of stone used can vary depending on the therapist and the patient. The therapist need to evaluate the patient's needs and tailor the therapy as needed. Basalt stones are the stones that are used as they can keep the heat inside for the length of the massage and these are usually heated up to 120 degrees before they are used. 

It is very unfortunate that once acupuncture and other therapies became discovered, the hot stone massages lost some of their prevalence. As far as the United States, the hot stone massage came into being around 1993, when this therapy became popular by Mary Hannigan, a renowned massage therapist. She had even developed a new massage technique called the "LaStone Therapy."

The Fundamentals Of Massage As Therapy

Taking some time to find a highly skilled massage therapist is well worth the effort. With a wide selection of massage therapies to choose from it is possible to find the perfect massage for the needs no matter what they are. Many people think that there are only two types of massage therapies. A standard massage therapy that is done solely with the hands and the second variety is done by incorporating hot stones to providing a relaxing heated feeling. 

For the majority of people, staying to just these two varieties of massage therapies is wonderful. However, there are occasions when just a standard massage therapy is not good enough. Examples of special massages can include the sports massages, pregnancy massages, hot stone massages and even massages that utilize relaxing aromatherapy techniques. With a huge selection of massages available to choose from, it is possible to have a different massage every day of the week and notice different results after each session. 

In order to ensure a person is getting the biggest benefit for his or her body they need to do a bit of research and actually look around. People might actually be highly surprised by the options that are available to them when they take the time to search for their best massage. While considering the therapeutic benefits of massage, people often hear about different massage styles and techniques. Thai, Deep Tissue, and Sports are some examples. However, massage is therapeutic on a more basic level which is often overlooked. 

As a therapist, one always tries to match the right technique with each client's needs. Even most of them decide advanced certifications in several different styles, so that they can easily pick and choose what the client's body cues me to do. However, sessions do not always follow this pattern of technique-matching. When some one first began practicing massage therapy, mostly are keener to the deeply therapeutic effects of basic human touch; for the basic need and its healing effects. As one becomes increasingly skilled, it requires more effort to continually go back to the message fundamentals. Perhaps the most therapeutic feature of a good massage is the touch itself. A caring, conscientious touch from a therapist is more important than any expertise they have learned from any instructor. 

Most of the clients avoid telling therapists that they want a Swedish massage. They do not understand that Swedish strokes are the foundation of most other massage, and that Swedish massage can be performed lightly or firmly. One can barely leave Swedish effleurage out of any massage session, and the pressure is not the same as the technique. When people practice very instinctive, basic types of human touch, it often resembles Swedish-style effleurage. A fundamental massage, consisting of basic vital strokes, is common in massage research. Health experts know the links between child development and touch. They have also revealed how stress relief actually prevents disease, and how massage can contribute to health and even mental improvements. 

In conclusion, it is tempting to figure out which type of massage a person wants; but should never forget to include a good ole-fashioned basic massage in your health practices.