If you are a newly-minted massage therapy entrepreneur just itching to get started, you’ve come to the right place for high quality portable massage tables and all the other equipment and accessories you’ll need to embark on your new career. Here are some reasons why you’ve come to the right place:

Massage Tables That Can’t Be Beat

When you visit other massage websites, you may find yourself limited as to choice of brand. When you shop with us, you can choose from three of the top brands in the industry: Earthlite, Stronglite, and Inner Strength. All have different features: and one of their portable massage tables is just right for your needs. All of our massage tables have the sturdiness you need and the craftsmanship you expect that will help your essential tool of the trade to give you dependable service for years to come.

All the Accessories You’ll Need

Although massage tables are the therapist’s combination of “office” and “desk,” it is the accessories and little extras that turn a treatment from ordinary into a real spa experience, whether you are working in a client’s home, at a chiropractor’s office, or in a salon. MassageTableOutlet.com has a huge selection of quality accessories to choose from at prices that any new therapist can afford. Check out our:

• Linens, fleece, and table warmers
• Face, arm, and footrests
• Bolsters and massage tools
• Oils, creams, and aromatherapy products
• Music CDs that will help your clients relax and enjoy a peaceful, serene experience under your care

Rock Bottom Prices

Because we are an outlet, you get the same products here as you would elsewhere but at greatly reduced prices. In fact, you can equip yourself with sturdy, durable portable massage tables for as little as $150: and who can’t use a few extra dollars in their pocket when starting a new career? We pride ourselves on our ability to bring you high quality products at rock bottom prices, and we even offer a low price guarantee.

Good luck with your new career: we are here to help make it a successful and rewarding one.

1. Portable Massage Table

Even if you have already gotten a permanent position in a spa that is overflowing with good stationary massage tables, you should get your own portable massage table. There will definitely be times when you will need to take your work with you to another location: you may find that you can pick up a lot of business on the side by going to private homes and doing massages there, for example. A portable massage table is relatively inexpensive, usually costing under $500, but it will be a vital piece of equipment for you to own. Make sure to purchase a quality one that is solid yet light and easy to transport.

2. Linens

As a good and caring massage therapist you know that your clients’ comfort is your first concern. Everything that comes into contact with their skin should be soft and inviting. Although you may be tempted to bypass quality in favor of lower price, do not scrimp on your choice of linens. Good quality cotton linens will withstand repeated washings while cradling your clients in luxury. Choose long-fibered cotton for extra softness and invest in a fleece pad for underneath when the weather is chilly. Make sure you have lots of clean sets on hand at all times.

3. Bolsters

You will soon find out that most of your clients are not young and spry and need extra help to feel comfortable on your massage table. Bolsters almost act as an extra arm for you as they assist in keeping clients in the right positions to release their muscle and joint pain. There are a variety of different shapes and sizes to choose from: the decision is yours on which might be best.

4. Lotions and Oils

Getting gently slathered in lotion or oil during a massage is one of the favorite parts of the experience for many clients. Of course, such products also help you to do a better job by allowing your hands to glide effortless across backs and shoulders. Here are some characteristics to look for when choosing your lotions and oils.

• The best products are water soluble so that they are easily washed off afterwards
• They should be easily absorbed into a client’s skin, avoiding that sticky feeling
• You should keep an assortment of both scented and fragrance-free products to accommodate any clients who may have sensitivities or allergies
• Oils and lotions should come available in economical sizes to save you money. You will be going through a lot of product all the time!

5. Music and Aromatherapy Products

Setting the right mood is essential to the relaxation process that is part of any good massage. Playing soft music is soothing and is a proven method for calming clients and helping them to let their stress go and relax their muscles. Many clients may have a hard time knowing if they should talk or not during a massage: playing soft music takes the pressure off of clients and they will not feel as if they have to hold a conversation if they don’t want to. Using aromatherapy products can be another lovely way to put clients in a calm place: have them on hand but always ask clients first before using them.

Hopefully, you will find great fulfillment and career satisfaction as a licensed massage therapist. Equipping yourself with the essentials right from the start will definitely help make your transition into the massage therapy world easier.

Sport massages can either be performed on-site or at a spa by a trained sports massage therapist. Spas offer comfortable massage tables (usually stationary) to lie on and massage chairs to sit in that can be adjusted to fit any athlete. Some sports massage therapists also prefer to have portable massage tables so that they can easily carry the table with them to the sporting facility or directly to an athlete’s home. Sports massage therapists must be familiar with all muscles and muscle groups and how they are affected or stressed in each sport.

There are 5 distinct sports massage techniques:

1- Deep Swedish Massage: This massage uses five styles of elongated, flowing strokes (Effleurage- light touch, Petrissage- kneading, Tapotement- rhythmic taping, Friction- compression, Vibration). This massage is extremely beneficial in reducing pain and joint stiffness.

2- Compression Massage: This involves rhythmic compression into the muscles to create a softening effect in the tissues. It is generally used to warm up the muscles before deeper massage work is performed.

3- Cross-Fiber Massage: This massage applies a friction technique to stretch out large muscle groups to reduce adhesions. This helps to create flexible repair during the healing period.

4- Trigger Point or Tender Point Massage: This massage is great for reducing muscle spasms and hypersensitivity. Specific thumb or finger pressure is used to trigger tender points and increase body movement.

5- Lymphatic Massage: This type of massage is used to stimulate lymphatic-drainage pathways, which helps the body to detoxify and break down serious fluid between tissue cells.

Athletes greatly benefit from receiving a sports massage. Here are a few benefits:

• Reduces the chance of injury: before, during and after the game.
• Improves range of motion, allowing for more muscle flexibility.
• Relieves swelling.
• Reduces the heart rate.
• Helps to shorten the recovery time between games.
• Increases blood flow and lymph circulation.
• Improves muscle relaxation.
• Helps to detoxify the body.

Excellent sports massage therapists will have the proper massage equipment to help foster the recovery and prevention of sporting injuries or strain. The equipment should be well-padded, have adjustable face cradles and adjustable heights to compliment an athlete’s body and face. Remember, you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to experience the benefits of receiving a sports massage. Anyone who is physically active and is experiencing acute pain in a specific area can get a sports massage. Choose a reputable spa or find an experienced sports massage therapist to help relieve your pain and prevent injury.

Seniors need a little more tender loving care for their aging bodies and need to be positioned very carefully on a portable or stationary massage table. Extreme care must be taken when helping an elderly client onto the table, opposed to helping a 25 year old. Elderly patients are more easily injured and have more sensitive skin. Usually, after an elderly client is placed comfortably on the massage table, they are not asked to move again. Too much moving can cause undue stress on their fragile limbs and could potentially end up creating more pain. The amount of pressure that the massage therapist enforces is usually lessened for seniors. Again, their fragile frames and sensitive skin is too delicate to handle firm pressure.

Even a 30 minute to an hour long massage can help the elderly. Some health benefits include:
• Improves flexibility in the joints and muscles
• Helps treat chronic pain
• Reduces muscle spasms and stiffness
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Increases blood flow
• Encourages better sleep
• Stimulates the nervous system
• Stimulates circulation
• Reduces swelling
• Releases endorphins

Massage tables for elderly patients should be very sturdy and have plush multi-layer foam padding. Massage table outlet offers some of the sturdiest and comfortable massage tables at affordable prices. There are many tables stationary and portable massage tables to choose from, as well as great massage accessories and table attachments to make their experience all the more comfortable and soothing.

Many women want to get a massage during their pregnancy. We have previously explored the many benefits for mothers and their children. Once you understand how good a massage can truly be for you, then its time to hop on that massage table and relax. But where can a woman find a massage therapist or clinic that has the expertise required for pregnancy massage?

Choosing a Specialty Massage Therapist

-Search the internet or yellow pages to find qualified massage therapists

-Call the local massage clinics in your area and ask if they have a massage therapist on staff that is trained to perform pregnancy or specialty massage.

-Find out if they have a certification in Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy

-Your massage should be in either a massage chair or while lying sideways on a massage table. NEVER lay face down or up while getting a massage. Massage tables that have a hole for your belly may seem like a good idea but in fact this is very detrimental

At Home Pregnant Massage

-Take a workshop or a course on performing massage while pregnant, many massage schools or clinics offer them in your area.

-Buy a book that has instructions and illustrations some good ones are:

Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy

Pre and Perinatal Massage Therapy: A Comprehensive Practioners’ Guide to Pregnancy, Labor, Postpartum

Massage Practice for Pregnancy

Massage for a Peaceful Pregnancy: A Daily Book for New Mothers and Fathers

-Buy a video that demonstrates the proper techniques a good one is:

Mastering Pregnancy Massage

Tips

-Keep an open line of communication throughout

-Trim nails and remove jewelry before beginning

-Avoid massage during the first trimester, the second and third will make the mother most comfortable

-If pain is ever felt immediately stop, there shouldn’t be pain during this process

-Use massage lotions and oils to lubricate the skin and reduce friction

-Play soothing music, fountains and running water are also very relaxing

- Massage should be performed on a weekly basis, sometimes even more

- The back is not the only place to massage, try including the neck, arms and legs as well

-Avoid massaging any open wounds, sores or cuts

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can be a great help to the body and facilitates massage for a more effective experience. Some of the best oils for pregnant women are:

1. Tea Tree
2. Neroli
3. Tangerine
4. Sandalwood
5. Lemon
6. Geranium

Some oils to avoid are

1. Jasmine
2. Basil
3. Aniseed
4. Juniper
5. Majoram
6. Sage

Many women wonder if it’s ok to get a massage while pregnant. Well, not only is it ok but it is actually very beneficial. Pregnant massage a.k.a. prenatal massage is a hugely popular method for relieving ailments caused by pregnancy. There are benefits not only for the women receiving the massage but for the baby as well. And if you are massaged by your spouse they greatly benefit as well knowing they’re helping their partner and increasing the bond between them. Make sure to use the right equipment if you do this, a good massage table should used for pregnant women.

Benefits for mothers

-Helps eliminate waste in the circulatory and lymphatic systems, helping fight fatigue

-Better circulation means less stress and a healthier heart

-Relieves muscle tightness, tension and cramping

-Relieves muscle and joint pain

-Helps with back pain, sore feet and headaches

-Increases nutrients and oxygen which means the mom has more energy and the baby has more essential nutrients

-Less hormonal imbalances

-Increased flexibility

-Better sleep for the mom and baby

-Helps loosen the pelvis before birth, makes birth a lot easier

-Increased milk production and easier feeding

-Helps recovery after child birth

-Helps re align the pelvis after birth

-Speedier, happier recoveries after birth

Benefits for babies

-Stress relief

-Improved circulation

-Better muscle tone

-Consistent sleeping patterns

-Relief constipation and gas

-Overall strengthening of Circulatory, Digestive and intestinal tracks

-Improved body awareness

-Improved brain function and coordination

-Increases bonding with parent

-Increases communication between baby and parent

-Helps parents recognize cries

Most Importantly - Babies Die Without Touch!

Touch is by far the most important aspect of creating a healthy child. Touch is our oldest and most honed sense, without we suffer emotionally and physically.

It has also been shown that touch is as important as eating and sleeping. Massage and touch helps a baby sleep better, makes them more alert/aware, fuss less, have stronger immune systems and even increase IQ.

But wait there’s more, not everyone is correctly trained to perform a pregnancy massage. Many massage therapists and women think that a normal massage preformed on a pregnant woman will be effective however this is not so. Pregnant women have many unique areas that require sensitivity and knowledge. Make sure to find a massage therapist with experience in massaging pregnant women, or if you’re doing it yourself read a few books and watch some videos on it.

The use of hot stones on the body is common throughout history and has been used for healing for centuries. In ancient times Egyptians used heated stones for ceremonial purposes. Native Americans also used heated stones and the Hawaiian natives performed Lomi Lomi massage which involved the use of hot stones. It wasn’t until 1994 that modern civilization picked up body massage and stone massage. A massage therapist from Tucson, Arizona researched the LaStone method for 3 years. She then began training massage therapists with her technique and through word of mouth LaStone massage spread.

In a hot stone massage the special smooth stones are heated up in water and then used two different ways. Some of the stones will be placed under a towel along both sides of the spine. Supposedly this heats the “chakra” the sacred human energies. This is meant to regenerate the body and soul and deeply cleanse it. Then the other stones are coated in oil and used in the hands of the therapist to perform massage techniques. The heat allows the stone to penetrate deeper parts of the tissue allowing for a more effective massage with greater health benefits.

The River stone massage was named that because the stones used were smoothed from years of constant water. River stones are particularly smooth and were often the stone of choice for this technique. Today there are few massage therapists that practice hot stone massage except for the exotic. The Hyatt Regency on the Choptank River offers this massage and is highly credited for it. If you ever get the opportunity try a hot stone massage and enjoy the benefits.