Today Health Direction

Hi, sorry its not what you were thinking!! just thought I might get your attention, :D
can someone please tell me what they think is the correct positionin heightto have the massage table. I keep changing, normally I have it at hip height, but sometimes I find I am struggling to massage, especially if the client is on the large side,then if I put it lower and I have been massaging a few clients, I get a searing pain acrossthe top of my back. Hope someone can help because workingall day tomorrow andsunday, and I want to be able to massage with ease.:)

Answers:

Hi Karrie,
I have electric couch and I constantly change height with foot switch, I would however say that it is easier to adjust your own posture to suit the majority of clients with a lower couch , this enables you to move your body weight over your client if you require deeper tissue work, if your back is playing up use bent legs and "sway" with your strokes.
best regards
Gaz

Answers:

thanks gaz, yes we use electric beds too, the only thing is I dont like to move the client up and down ( not very relaxing ha ha ) yes I do sway, butI will take your advice and keep it a little lower.Thanks again:)

Answers:

Hi Karrie,
As a massage therapist it is really important that you use your natural mechanical advantage to apply your weight in to the techniques you use.
I agree with Gaz, with respect to using 'bent legs'. Keep your own back straight and 'sink' in to the movement (assuming you are applying pressure that is). Depending on what you have been taught in class, it may take a bit of retraining yourself.
I have trained with different international disciplines and each instructor advised a different couch height. So it pretty much depends on the techniques that you are using and your own personal preference. I tend to use a 'lower' than average table height because of the methods I apply.
Experiment Karrie, find out what works best for you.
I would recommend a book called 'Save your hands' by Lauriann Green. A book about Injury prevention for massage therapists.
Let us know how you get on.
In Love and Light
Trin

Answers:

How about you put the table as low as you think you might ever need it before they get one the massage table? Then you can adjust it up before you start massaging. You've lowered the table for them to make it easier to get on the table - got nothing to do with you needing the table adjusted :)

Answers:

Hi karrie,
when I work with a hydraulic couch it goes up and down during the treatment - the clients don't mind (I have checked and some didn't even notice it was happening)
get the couch at the right height for the move /client and your massage will be sooooo much better.
Jane

Answers:

Hi Karrie
if you are lucky enough to be working using an electric couch then do move it to suit your needs during the session.
Its easy to forget your owncomfort during a session that you want to be the best for your client but I am sure if you asked your clients they would be fine with you adjusting it during their treatments.
Regards steve

Answers:

Thank you all very much for your replies. I have tried for the last few days, having the bed a little lower, and yes thank goodness it is helping, although by the end of the day, after 7 or 8 massages, I'm done in, and need a massage myself! I suppose thats just par for the course eh! Anyway once again thanks for all your replies.:)