table setup: padding?

[ElDub]

I'm working on making a good setup better and need some help/ insight. Right now we use an egg crate type pad as a 1st layer, then place a heating blanket over that, then use a top sheet to wrap that to the table. Over this we are using massage warehouse's flannel sheets. We don't have any complaints... but we also aren't getting many compliments. Once these sheets wear out I'll order some comfy's. Why I'm posting is to find out if anyone has a setup that they find works super well and is some what thrifty. I've been thinking about some memory foam as a base pad over the table... any insight?

 

[Becham]

I have no insight on the memory foam, but it seems like you were asking for other ideas, too.

I've been thinking about using one of those down mattress toppers. The thing is, an eggcrate is easy enough to trim to table size, but a twin size topper wouldn't be. OTOH, the topper by way of it's construction would conform better to the contour of the table, thus it might not need trimming like eggcrate padding. It seems like it would be luxuriously comfortable, too!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Ella Manneu will give her imput on the memory foam. I trade with her and she has a great set up VERY COMFORTABLE!

My personal experience~ Right now I have an oakworks table with more plush padding, then a fleece table pad (ebodylogic. com) then a fitted sheet as a barrier, and I varry between cotton and flannel sheets. I prefer the cotton durring the summer months (SC is very hot!) and flannel during the other months.

Still debating on wether or not I want to go with a memory foam topper, or a heating pad... I wouldn't recomend doing both. I used to sell tempurpedic and it was not recomended to use heat, or cover the material with a matteress pad as it counteracts the ability of the foam to work properly with the bodys natural heat.

Looking into different sheet options too. The cotton ones from MW thin too quickly, and the flannel pill....
my :2cents:

ETA: I have an optional extendable arm rest on 2 of the 3 tables I use, and clients really enjoy that. Espically larger clients and men. If I am using the table that doesn't have it, I slide my stool under the face cradle for them to use.
Naples~ That was an excellent warning! thanks!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I have a plush table, but it's 9 yrs old, so it's starting to wear a little. So I have a thin eggcrate with a fitted over it, then my heat pad and another fitted over it. I don't spend the money and buy sheets from MW or any other massage site. I purchase higher quality sheets when they are on sale and they seem to last longer. I purchased flannels from MW and they started to break down after washing several times.

 

[Peter File]

I very often get complimented on the comfort of my table, and it's different from any other set-up I've seen.

The first layer on my table is the warmer - a thin fleece table warmer by earthlite. I think I paid $50 or $60 for it. Then I put a fleece table topper on top of that - the $25 one from Massage Warehouse that comes with a face cradle fleece cover too. On top of that, a fitted sheet as a barrier and then the nicer quality sheets from Wal-Mart that go on sale from time to time. On top of that, either a cotton thermal blanket or a quilt, depending on how cold the room is that day (I don't have control over the A/C in my building).

I have found that putting the table warmer under the fleece pad disperses the heat to a radiant warmth instead of all-out heat. People seem to love it. ;D

Hope that's helpful.

Emily

 

[geekan]

the number one thing i think therapist's should consider is putting arm extenders on their table. i get comments from almost all new clients who are familiar with receiving massage. they get on the table on the first thing they say when i walk in is how wonderful my table is. many say they love that it's wider than any other table they've been on. they're easy to add to any table and really make a huge difference in the width and comfort level of the table itself. i should note that i am tall so reaching across the table with extra width is not a problem for me. i imagine it might be for someone who is on the shorter side. don't know for sure.

so my set up is...table with arm extention, memory foam covered with thick pad, mattress warmer and then a fitted sheet to wrap everything onto table. then the fitted sheet and flat sheet with a blanket on top. i'll also note that i use a double size flat sheet so i've got extra "coverage".

 

[ebears]

I agree with terab. The arm extenders really make a huge difference. For my table it is: Arm extenders, Egg crate pad, then table warmer, but instead of just a fitted bottom sheet I use a comfy, soft, and slightly padded twin mattress pad that wraps it all together, then my sheets. I also put a fleece cover on the face cradle.

 

[acidcrap]

the number one thing i think therapist's should consider is putting arm extenders on their table. i get comments from almost all new clients who are familiar with receiving massage. they get on the table on the first thing they say when i walk in is how wonderful my table is. many say they love that it's wider than any other table they've been on. they're easy to add to any table and really make a huge difference in the width and comfort level of the table itself. i should note that i am tall so reaching across the table with extra width is not a problem for me. i imagine it might be for someone who is on the shorter side. don't know for sure.

so my set up is...table with arm extention, memory foam covered with thick pad, mattress warmer and then a fitted sheet to wrap everything onto table. then the fitted sheet and flat sheet with a blanket on top. i'll also note that i use a double size flat sheet so i've got extra "coverage".

i completely agree on the arm extensions! they make a tremendous difference in the width and in the client's comfort level, no matter the client's size. in fact, the next table i purchase will be x wide with the extensions.

amanda

 

[InSHANity <3]

My table is 31 inches wide. The table in my other room is 28 inches. Sometimes I have to work on a regular client in the other room on the smaller table. Clients notice that 3 inches. At 31 inches, I feel my table is wide enough. I am short, about 5 feet tall, so if I had arm extenders I would have trouble reaching over to work on a clients back. I do have a set of arm extenders so I have tried them.

The only time I have a clients arms flopping off the table is when the client is very large. In these cases, I tuck the sheet under their hand to keep the clients arms on the table comfortably. Some of my larger clients figure out that they can keep their own hands on the table if they tuck them under their hips.

 

[nitin t]

I like having a comfortable table for clients as well. I have gotten compliments with heater then fake lambs wool on top. I have found the flannel sheets don't slide well when the clients flip over. I also like a light weight blanket, I add a second one if someone is cold blooded. WARNING: In Florida, if and when the massage licensing dept. comes to inspect your facility, be sure to remove all those goodies. A sanitizeable surface must be next to the bottom sheet. You can't sanitize naked foam, lambs wool or polyester heaters. I don't mean to be a party pooper, just thought you should be aware. One spa I worked at ended up purchasing memory foam encased in a flexible vinyl cover. Very expensive. Also, no one anticipated that the 2" thick table cushion would make the face cradle too low. They ended up spending even more money on matching cushions for the cradle. LOL.