How to choose the right therapy table?

The choice of therapy or massage table is a very important decision and an investment for a professional career. The following 6 questions should guide you to make the best choice.

1.   How many sections should my table have?

Are you a masseur, physical therapist, chiropractor? Do you combine different approaches? Therapy tables feature one-, two- or more sections and you need to choose according to your specific needs. Masseurs and manual therapists need a comfortable and uniform surface that provides patients with comfort. Sport massages and physiotherapy require exact patient positions during treatment, which is possible only with more-section therapy tables. Chiropractic, osteopathy and other demanding therapies require a therapy table with even more sections. As such it allows a complete relaxion of body and allows the practitioner to access the patient more easily.

2.   Is the table stable and what’s the weight capacity?

Therapy table needs to be perfectly stable to allow practitioners apply strong pressure. A table shouldn’t bend or move during treatment. The base must be sturdy and stable to ensure your undisturbed performance and your patients’ assurance.

Do not forget to think about the patients that come to your practice. Are they adults or children? Larger weight capacity will allow you to accept any patient that might need your help.

3.   Height adjustable or not?

A therapy table should support performing treatments and at the same time help you protect your health. Your back should not suffer as your professional work depends on your health and well- being. If possible, choose a table with electric height adjustment as that is the simplest way to adjust height. It will help you prevent possible damage to your health and enable your patients to access easily.

4.   How wide should my table be?

The width of therapy and massage tables vary from 60 to 80cm. Before deciding, consider what width suits your figure so you can still access your patients with ease and keep in mind that your patients need to roll over. Don’t overlook how the padding is designed and shaped. The lying surface is wider if the padding is finished at a right angle. The shape adds additional centimeters that really matter when your patients roll over.

5.   What are the key points of the padding?

Your patient’s well-being comes first. Therapy table’s padding should be very comfortable as treatment’s success depends also on patient’s relaxation.

Thickness

Despite the foam quality, the padding needs to be thick enough as patients often lie in the same position during the whole therapy. What does that mean in cm? 6 cm thick padding should be enough to provide patients with the necessary comfort. If choosing more than 6, try it out in case the lying surface is too soft for performing treatments.

Breathing hole

As patients often lie in prone position, it is necessary that the head section includes a breathing hole with a plug. The shape of the hole matters less than how its edges are padded. Its edge should be softer than the rest of the lying surface. Undesired imprints on patient’s face can be avoided by using a face cushion.

Cleaning

The therapy table’s design should be simple and clean. The surfaces of the table’s base should be smooth so they are easy to clean. The padding should be upholstered in quality leather and should be seamless along the whole lying surface. As seams around the breathing hole can’t be avoided, seams that are welded and taped will prevent penetration of liquids and ease the cleaning immensely.

6.   What about the price?

We can’t fool ourselves that price doesn’t play quite a big role when investing. Even if the input seems really big, you have to keep in mind that a therapy table is THE essential equipment for a practitioner. It is a long-term investment and will tailor your working conditions each and every day.

Need more to make a decision

We hope the questions above have shown you some aspects you haven’t considered yet.  See also some case studies where we present different practitioners and their choice of equipment and of course you are more than welcome to contact us for free professional advising. We hope you choose a therapy table that completely reflects your professional needs and fulfills all treatment requirements.

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