Hi all,
I have recently started up as a home based/mobile therapist offering Aroma massage, Indian Head, Hopi Candles and the like.
My issue is, I have a couple of people who have shown an interest in booking in for a massage who are on the larger/obese side - this in itself is obviously not a problem, I am just wondering about the massage bed itself and worried they might break the bed - I have 2, one is a portable made of aluminium and quite flimsy...I am quite positive it might give under extreme weight. The other is fold up also, but a bit too heavy so I keep it set up in my treatment room - it is made from wood (pine?) and is a bit sturdier than the mobile one.
What I want to know is if any of you have had problems with this and any advice to resolve it...I don't want to turn them away but also don't want to risk embarassing them if the bed breaks.
It is obviously a difficult subject and I do feel very bad for thinking like this, but I am worried what would happen if the bed did break, they would be mortified. Doing Indian Head on them is not a problem as I just have them sit in a chair.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Thank you.
Hi Lauren
This is more a safety issue than an embarrasment one.
I would check with the manufacturer for the weight limits of the bed. Most should take about 20 stone without problem.
Don't forget your weight added on if using strong techniques. Another issue is the actual mobility of the patient, can they maneuvre themselves onto and around the bed? Once on can they get off? It may be tippy as they get on and off, so beware of that too.
You may need to put extra pillows in places eg under knees, head etc, larger people can appear very hyperextended in the low back without some extra support. Otherwise, choose the wider bed, as when supine you'll see their arms tend to drop without additional support.
If in doubt you can treat people on the floor, providing they can get up again.
Then consider their underlying health issues, older larger people do suffer from stagnation of the circulation,so consider DVTs, fluid in the lungs when reclined etc, diabetes which can involve weakening of the blood vessels etc, poor nutrition status might lead to easy bruising/slow recovery, and so on.
On the other hand, they might benefit surprisingly well from a treatment that won't even touch a more athletic person's situation, so don't worry if it seems like you're not able to do very much with them.
Sorry if this is an egg-sucking lecture, just making sure a few points aren't missed out. None of this should cramp your style as long as you are mindful of a few points.
Lastly, don't forget your own self-care, if there is extra strain for you moving patient, picking up limbs, reaching further etc, then do be extra careful.
as above definitely check with the retailer where you bought it. I its a cheap flimsy aluminium table then dont use that one. In the cheaper end of tables wood is stronger structurally than the aluminium but in the higher price bracket the aluminium are stronger. The cheaper ones have plastic joints which are the weakest point.
On the wooden table, it is very likely it will take the weight as long as it is distributed evenly. But sometimes heavier people are less agile and move abruptly to shift around on a table and if they shift all their weight through one small area(elbow/knee/hand while moving or getting on the table) it could break the wooden base board under the foam. You could increase the strength of the baseboard if you know someone handy with a bit of diy by running a strip of wood down the middle of the table underneath. This would vastly increase the strength.
I too have an aluminium massage couch, one of my clients "was" a very big man, nearing 20 stone (lucky sod has lost a lot of weight now lol) had no problem whatsoever, even with turning him over x
I am one of the unlucky ones who has actually had a client roll off the bed when the leg broke inwards near the end of the massage.
I was mortified to say the least! Couldnt apologize enough and thought he would sue me big time.
Luckily he saw (what he thought ) was the funny side of it and couldnt stop laughing . He was a sports therapist and had had the same thing happen to him before.
I always feared it would happen again so for the next 3 years i renewed my massage table every year. Now i'm more relaxed about it and renew every 2 yr (just incase)
Luckily he saw (what he thought ) was the funny side of it and couldnt stop laughing . He was a sports therapist and had had the same thing happen to him before.
How big was this "sports therapist"?!
I didnt ask but I would estimate about 15 stone. Why? Was it you ? 😮
No, I ws just curious to hear of a sports therapist who set such a good example to his clients by being so overweight!
Ah right. Well in the guys defence I wouldnt say he was fat at all! He was a thick set bloke but certainly more muscle than flab
Hi all,
I have recently started up as a home based/mobile therapist offering Aroma massage, Indian Head, Hopi Candles and the like.
My issue is, I have a couple of people who have shown an interest in booking in for a massage who are on the larger/obese side - this in itself is obviously not a problem, I am just wondering about the massage bed itself and worried they might break the bed - I have 2, one is a portable made of aluminium and quite flimsy...I am quite positive it might give under extreme weight. The other is fold up also, but a bit too heavy so I keep it set up in my treatment room - it is made from wood (pine?) and is a bit sturdier than the mobile one.
What I want to know is if any of you have had problems with this and any advice to resolve it...I don't want to turn them away but also don't want to risk embarassing them if the bed breaks.
It is obviously a difficult subject and I do feel very bad for thinking like this, but I am worried what would happen if the bed did break, they would be mortified. Doing Indian Head on them is not a problem as I just have them sit in a chair.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Thank you.
In my clinic I have 1 extra large massage bed (for very tall or large people). This was my solution.
If you work from home then you can try this too.
In any way you suppose to have insurance even if client will broke your bed or/and hurt himself