Massage equipment includes a table, chair or mat, cushions, oil or lotion, and a music player. A sturdy and comfortable table is essential and portable ones have foldable legs. Aromatherapy oils are often used, and music and a room heater can enhance the experience.
While you don’t need a huge amount of massage equipment to create an enjoyable experience, most practitioners have some basic tools and supplies. A massage table, massage chair, or massage mat allows the client to recline comfortably, and these typically have covers that can be removed and cleaned. Cushions or bolsters are usually needed to position the client. A massage oil, cream or lotion is another essential supply, chosen primarily for its lubricating and aromatic qualities. Two other pieces of massage equipment, perhaps not essential but found in most massage studios, are a CD or MP3 player and a room heater.
Whether or not a massage table is portable, it needs to be sturdy and comfortable. Typically made with a plywood base covered in heavy foam and padded, it has a C-shaped cradle at one end to support the client’s head while lying face down. This essential piece of massage equipment is often constructed with foldable legs so it can be folded and carried like a suitcase to on-site appointments. Massage chairs have padding and a face cradle that is strong enough to support the client’s weight as the massage therapist applies pressure to the neck, shoulders and back.
There are a myriad of massage oils, creams and lotions available, and while most are designed to lubricate and penetrate the skin, some need to be washed off after a session. Because the relaxation produced by massage produces an enhanced sense of smell, many massage lotions include an essential oil of lavender, rosemary, pine, or another aromatic herb. The aroma not only enhances relaxation by producing a pleasant aroma but also penetrates the skin to calm, excite or otherwise heal the client internally. Aromatherapy massage practitioners consider aroma oils an essential part of their massage equipment.
The relaxation created by a massage is most profound if the mind is peaceful, so many massage therapists have a portable music player so they can play soothing music during a session. While not technically a massage piece of equipment, the player is considered by some to be as important to a successful session as the massage oil. A wide variety of massage music CDs are available, but any soothing or healing music can enhance the experience. One last piece of massage equipment that can help ensure the comfort of the client, who is often naked, is a room heater. It’s hard to fully appreciate the healing benefits of a massage when the body is cold.
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