Choosing a Massage Table

The massage table is a key element for getting a rewarding massage, and is probably the most important piece of equipment for treatment. Someone only casually acquainted with massage might not think it, but the massage table can make a huge difference in comfort for the client (as well as the therapist) and thus the outcome of treatment. A good massage table can mean deeper relaxation, allowing the body to release more tension- one of the major reasons people get massages. This deeper relaxation can in turn allow for better postural and more natural alignment on the table.  This guide is for portable massage tables, though many of the same considerations for a portable table (e.g. size, width, features) also apply for a stationary massage table.  

If the massage table is the most important tool in the massage therapist’s arsenal, the face cradle is the most important part of the massage table.  The reason for this is that a face cradle that offers poor  support will create tension in the patient’s neck and/or jaw, which in turn will affect the rest of the body.  A poorly fitting face cradle is also uncomfortable for the face.  This may not seem like a big deal, but as anyone who has gone for a massage and found themselves face down in an uncomfortable face cradle for half an hour or more knows, it is a big deal.  Think about it- you’re getting a massage to relax, but can’t relax because your neck feels strained or the entire weight of your head (about 8 pounds) is pressing down on the massage table via your chin.  An uncomfortable face cradle can totally defeat the purpose of getting a massage.  You shouldn't be too worried about a face cradle if you are buying a reputable brand as these will come with decent face cradles.

The massage table I own (made by Earthlite) has a super comfy face cradle, with a memory foam cushion on top of independently flexing rubber panels.  Both components ideally mold to your face, creating a comfortable, custom support.  Even just climbing on top of the table and putting your face in the cradle is relaxing.  This is a big step above the face cushions we had in massage school, which were pretty comfy already.  Personally, the comfort of my clients is paramount and I highly recommend this kind of face cradle regardless of what kind of massage table you may have. 

The other major component of a massage table is the padding.  Personally, I don’t need a whole lot of padding.  It’s useful if the client will be lying on their side a lot, but I find the surface area of being prone and supine offers adequate support.  That said, there are many who prefer more and/or softer padding.  Just keep in mind that denser padding provides better support.  Again, it’s all about comfort, I just think the face cradle is much more important in creating a truly comfortable massage table.

From the therpist’s perspective, a massage table should be durable and the height easily adjusted. A wider table may be more comfortable for bigger clients, but it may make work more difficult for the therapist if the table gets in the way. Massage therapy is physically demanding and you do not want to make the work harder with a table that's too wide. This shouldn’t be a problem for therapists with a long reach, but it is something to consider. For the average sized therapist, a table in the 27"- 31" wide range would work best.

The only real "essentials" when it comes to accessories for your table are a bolster or pillow for leg and ankle support and massage table sheets.  The bolster is placed under the client’s knees while lying supine on the table, and providing ankle support when the client is prone. Like the face cradle, lying on the massage table for long periods of time places strain on these parts of the body. To get the maximum relaxation from a massage, make sure these supports are in place.

Massage table sheets help keep the surface of your table in good shape and also makes things much more comfortable for your client. A good alternative would be massage table covers, which are more expensive but can provide a softer and warmer surface for clients than regular sheets. A massage table cover will also probably last longer, be easier to put on and take off, and look more neat if they are a good fit for your massage table.

As for massage table accessories, you can basically spend as much as you want on extras such as a massage table warmer (in school, we had an electric pad which sat under the sheets to provide warmth just like an electric blanket). If you plan to do a lot of pregnancy massage, you will want to invest in extra pillows/supports to make your pregnant client comfortable. It's up to the massage therapist to decide which accessories she/he deems neccesary.

Something that was important to me was having support brackets between the legs that don’t obstruct your legs- if you are going to be using a stool for parts of the massage (especially recommended for working on the face/head and feet), it’s very nice to be able to fit your legs under the table. Again, keep in mind that the comfort of the massage therapist definitely affects the quality of the massage!

Massage tables can also come with other features depending on the needs of the therapist. For instance, shiatsu practitioners may want a table with a quick release that allows the massage table to sit directly on the floor. There are spa tables, and athletic training tables, and pregnancy massage tables-just to name a few. You can get an "electric massage table" aka "hydraulic massage table" which offers electronic height adjustment, There are even massage tables with holes cut out to accomodate breasts more comfortably. A massage therapist who has a great need for portability would want to go with a very lightweight massage table. It goes without saying that you should pick the table that's right for you, but when in doubt, keep it simple and know that a standard table will probably be able to accommodate your needs no matter what kind of massage you do.

Unless you don’t care much about quality, try to get a massage table from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap massage tables may be okay for those who plan to only do massages occasionally, but I would personally look at used massage tables which I know to be of good quality than to get a cheap new table that looks shoddy.

A professional massage therapist should invest in a good brand that will last. These include Custom Craftworks*, Oakworks, and Earthlite massage tables. There are other brands out there which may also be very good, but look out for the real cheap ones. I got a cheaper model from Costco while in massage school and had to return it- it was very heavy, didn’t look nice, and was of questionable quality. It was a bit cheaper than the tables we used in school, but the difference in quality and weight was obvious. With massage tables as with many things, you definitely get what you pay for. For a bit more money you can get a good table which should help make your work go smoothly. One of my classmates in massage school was able to get a good deal on a decent table on Ebay; I got a good deal on mine (an Earthlite) from another massage school in the area that has massage tables for sale- they were offering a special student price on the table I eventually bought. It came with a carrying case too, which is good for carrying sheets and pillows/bolster if you will be going to clients’ homes.

The massage tables we used in our classroom and the student clinic were from Custom Craftworks and served our needs very well. These are the only brands I have personally worked with, but both are well made and I would feel good recommending them to others. An Oakworks massage table is more expensive but also has a good reputation.

*note: Custom Craftworks has since been acquired by another company; not sure of the effect this will have on this product.