Massage Table Help

Hi and welcome to Healthypages,

It depends how much you're planning on travelling with the couch... If you're going to be moving about a lot with it, then something like starlight is a good idea... they've very light, yet strong. Other couches may be cheaper, but they're heavier, and whilst you may think it's "ok" when you try lifting one, by the time you've tried carrying one up and down some stairs a few times, you may be wishing you'd gone for the lighter option.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

When I qualified as a massge therapist, I bought the most expensive couch on offer. It's made by Darley (I think they have ceased trading now?) and is portable, but made of wood, so very heavy. I did do mobile work for a few years, so can agree with Energylz about wishing you'd gone for the lighter option!

However, I work full time and see quite a lot of clients each week, so my couch has seen a lot of use, but almost 12 years later, it is still as good as new! I have to tighten screws and bolts here and there from time to time, but it is still just as sturdy as when I bought it and just as comfortable, too.

Some of my friends who trained with me went for the less expensive options and the only one I am still in contact with, and who still works as a massage therapist, is on his third couch.

So, in short, if you intend to work for a good number of years and your couch is going to be well used, paying the higher price now could be cheaper in the long run 🙂

Hello and welcome to HP

Agree with Derek and Energylz you get what you pay for with tables. Two points for a cheaper table are 1) gives you time to work out what kind of practice you develop and what kind of table you need/features are important to you (eg do you need a backrest/no need for a portable table if you're super strong and/or always work from home). Secondly it's worth getting out there and working so you know you have a decent business and enjoy the work before investing in a top of the range table. Sadly many therapists train but relatively few make a successful career.

I've had three tables. My first (cheap) table was comfy, height adjustable after a lot of fiddling but heavy and fell apart after a year of mobile work (fortunately wasn't in use at the time!). I was then given a table which was enormous, even heavier, didn't adjust for height and would have lasted until next millennium but was useless as I couldn't move it without risking injury.

Then gave up and got an Oakworks Advanta. Seemed eye wateringly expensive but light, comfy, height adjustable and still going strong after 15 years. If you're keen on an expensive table might be worth looking around for a second hand buy.

Hope that helps.

I would agree that if you intend to have a long career in massage, it is well worth paying the extra. In my 14 years I have bought 2 couches. The first was a Darley which was expensive and which I still use very regularly (a few days a week) and if I'm honest its in as good condition now as it ever was. It is quite heavy though, so I bought a cheap one from ebay for the rare occasions when I needed something more portable but tbh it was a piece of junk. One day (within a year of having it) this rather large woman climbed up onto it and it cracked loudly, however it didn't collapse so we continued the treatment but on inspection after she left, I discovered that the somewhat flimsy wood had cracked down the centre of the table 😮 This was obviously a fault with the couch because I have had plenty of large people on the Darley and its been fine. I think you need to consider things like face holes, fully reclining back etc which I consider a necessity but perhaps others don't. But I guess what I'm saying is that although my Darley felt like a massive spend at the time, its more than paid for itself and its still got many years left in it, so if you intend to have a long career in massage, then go for something robust that will last 😀

If you can possibly afford the best, then go for it - but if you can, try a few first - got any colleagues with different products?

I have two couches - one in the car for mobile work and an electric plinth in my home clinic. The portable was purchased in the USA in 1990 - and at that time cost the equivalent to a ford fiesta!!! Worth every single penny. It's wood, with extra thick foam (my request - see lots of elderly clients) - bit heavy (though less than the 25kg feed sacks I lug about for my hens!) but is easy to move about as it came with a carrybag. I take it with me wherever I go (including Edinburgh tenement buildings!), and also have a carry case for the linens which I can pull at the same time..... sound like I should be entering an Ironman!!!

The 'indoor' couch is an electric Darley (yes, the company folded) 3 section - no facehole - never use them. It has failed on me twice, before I read the small print which said there was a weight restriction of 19 stone! I have had the attenuator adjusted now, so it lifts up to 30 stone. My portable will take 35 stone, so I bring that indoors sometimes for a couple of my very large clients.

Sorry for the blatent advertising, but what do you guys think of this?

I have bought a flexion-distraction table by Isisbey and I have to say it´s real value for money. Long term, I think it´s worth it investing more budget for really professional material.