I recently asked Stronglite’s Facebook friends and fans to provide me with topics they might like to read about in upcoming blogs. True to my word, here is one of several blogs I’ll be writing to cover their suggestions. Today, friends, we are going to chat about maintenance!

I see a massage table as being much like the human body. If it is good quality (the human equivalent to being healthy and fit) it is unlikely to break down or require a lot of serious, intermittent maintenance. Nonetheless, there are a few things you can do to keep your table in solid working condition. Here’s a quick recap of those things:

Regular Check-Ups

Just like you do for yourself, tables require regular check-ups. Luckily, you don’t have to crate them to the table doctor to do so. I recommend that you take a good look at them every now and again. Double check to make sure any/all screws, nuts, and bolts are tight (but not too tight) and that nothing looks “out of place” anywhere. You might be surprised how important this type of preventative, diagnostic maintenance is.

Healthy Joints

I know my joints are stiffer than they used to be. As tables age, the very same thing can (and does) occur. Don’t be afraid to lubricate the joints of your table. If they still feel stiff or sound squeaky, contact your table manufacturer for further help diagnosing the problem.

Outer Beauty

We all love the feel of a really good quality upholstery. Keeping your upholstery in good condition requires more than simply cleaning it regularly. It also requires keeping it in a carry case any time it is stored or in transit and keeping it out of extreme heat or cold. Considering putting your portable in the trunk of your car on a hot day? Don’t. It can irreparably damage your upholstery.

Follow Your Gut

Last, but certainly not least … use your instincts. If something seems wrong, it may well be. If it isn’t a clear, quick, and easy fix or even if you are simply unsure how to proceed, always call your manufacturer. They are likely more than willing to help you solve the problem and can suggest ways to prevent it in the future.

The health and wellness of your table boils down to two main things: the quality of the table when you bought it and the regular and preventative maintenance you do to keep it healthy. So, keep buying quality and keep checking your table for oddities. Your partnership with your table will last all the longer for it.

Bodywork Buddy posted a short, sweet, and succinct little blog recently. I encourage you to take a look at it. Partly as homage to them and partly just-because-it-is-the-truth, I’ve decided to build on that blog and remind readers how beneficial credit card business can be to the massage industry as a whole and – more specifically – to your individual business.

The crux of it is this: Credit cards not only act as an extraordinarily convenient form of payment, but they – stop the presses – are often a catalyst for increased spending. The truth (ugly as it may be) is that people spend more when they use cards. To be clear, this is true of literal credit cards and of debit cards as well. Incidentally, debit cards account for a large percentage of all charge transactions.

There are plenty of us who don’t carry cash around regularly nowadays. The world has changed and as massage therapists, we need to change with it. There are a slew of easy-to-use, convenient options out there to help you get started accepting credit cards. You can even download an app to process transactions on your iPhone.

Whatever route you choose, make it happen. If you don’t jump on board, you’ll be left in the dust. No matter how skilled you are while your client is on the massage table, the proverbial ‘dust’ isn’t a great place to be.

Happy Massaging, Friends!

So, I’m a Facebooker. That’s right. I check my page daily, use it for both professional and personal reasons, and – more and more – even catch up on the news via Facebook. Yup – I am a Facebooker for sure. And, honestly, I don’t see anything wrong with admitting this (although I certainly know people who would disagree with me). Facebook allows me a once-a-day connection with friends and colleagues that I otherwise wouldn’t have. What’s more, increasingly, I find myself inspired by the posts of others. This morning was no exception. In fact, I was so inspired by a post that I feel compelled to share it with you in today’s blog. The post went as follows:

A Few Facts About Smiling:
It’s universal
Happy people generally don’t get sick as often as unhappy people
It takes only 17 muscles to smile vs. 43 muscles to frown

Over the course of the day, I’ve given this post a significant amount of thought. In so many ways, it applies to all of us. In fact, it is as pertinent to our professional lives as it is to our personal lives. For the massage therapist, for example, smiling is a wonderful way to connect with clients. Let’s say you’re running in the door late and your client has been waiting. You can apologize profusely, but do so without a genuine smile and your apology isn’t likely to carry much weight. Smiling warmly to a new client can put them at ease. Smiling to a colleague can reassure them that you’re on the same team, working toward a collective goal.

True to its point, carrying anger and showing it via a frown is draining. I knowthat you know what I mean. The truth is that it takes more energy than it is worth to be angry. It takes comparatively little energy to smile. And the benefits? Well, they are significantly better. As a massage therapist, you need to save your energy for clients on your massage table. So, consider the post above. While I believe massage therapists are some of the happiest people I know, we all have bad days. I know I do. The next time you’re having one, make a little extra effort to smile. I feel certain it will be worth the effort those 17 little muscles put forth.

Massage has been in the news a lot recently. Massage therapists are currently believed to hold one of the top ten jobs in the country. Evidence is surfacing all over the place about the medical benefits of massage. Yes, we always knew it was true, but did the rest of the world? I’ve given this a lot of thought lately. I’ve wondered:Do people really know how beneficial massage is?

More and more, I think that they do. Ten years ago, I didn’t know very many people who were receiving massages regularly. Today, I know quite a few. And even those who aren’t receiving regular massages seem to know what they are missing. Could a shift in sentiment have occurred? To me, it seems that ‘pampering’ has become less of the dirty word it once was and that massage has, subsequently, risen from a simple hour of relaxation to a truly beneficial wellness treatment.

I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see this. I know you are, too. So, rather than go on about the details of this or that massage chair in today’s blog, I simply want to encourage you to keep spreading the word about the benefits of massage and the healing power of touch. If you haven’t yet, look up the many recent studies and reports that have come out in support of massage. Post them on your Facebook wall or put them in a binder for your clients to see. Whatever you do, keep educating others. You are the key to the continued success of the massage industry. I, for one, have the utmost faith in you.

Happy Massaging!

Spring made her way back into our lives this past Tuesday. For me, her warm embrace couldn’t have come soon enough. I love the renewal she brings to the Earth. To my mind, spring really is the perfect time to “freshen” things up – in both business and in life. And to help you get started on that task, I’ve put together a short list of ideas for “freshening” up your massage room.

Get Cleaning!They don’t call it “Spring Cleaning” for nothing. Pull out those gloves and scrub anything in your path.

Revisit Existing Décor! I don’t know about you, but I’m always amazed at what a tiny bit of paint and a couple of throw pillows can do to a space.

Consider Something New! Have you been considering a new piece of massage equipment, but have put it off? This might be the time to start considering it again!

Revamp! If you’re not ready to make a purchase, but you know you have a massage table that is looking shabby, consider revamping it with new upholstery. Contact your manufacturer. You’d be amazed what they can do.

These are a mere few of the things you can do to “freshen up” and rejuvenate your massage room. Luckily, none of them are particularly complex and several are pretty darn inexpensive. So, look around you and pick something to spruce up. Your business will be the better for it.

Yes … you’re reading correctly: I’m going there. I’m using the word cheap. You see, I went online yesterday and was shocked to see the variety of massage tables out there. Okay, I wasn’t shocked by the number; I was shocked by the low prices. Naturally, I couldn’t help myself and decided to dig a little deeper.

In a challenging economy, we are increasingly conscious of where and how we spend our money. And we should be. But, I wondered, is purchasing a cheap table (and I’m talking about the really cheap ones, not just the good deals) really worth it? In almost every case, my answer is an emphatic “no.”Should you be cost-conscious? Yes.Are there great deals out there? Yes. But, if a table costs less than the combination of your next oil change and car wash – chances are it isn’t good quality. Here are a few reasons why you might want to steer clear of too-good-to-be-true deals:

1. Some assembly is often required. My time is valuable, and when I buy something, I like to be able to use it right away. What’s more – I don’t like to risk putting something together incorrectly and, thus, compromising the quality or safety of the product.
2. Lesser quality craftsmanship can result in braces coming loose during sessions or adjustments. I don’t know about you, but I don’t even want to think about the possibility of that occurring.
3. They generally require more frequent maintenance. And, friends, yes – maintenance costs money, too.
4. The upholstery and cushioning are often stiff, resulting in less comfort for the client and squeaky noises during the session. To my mind, anything that has the potential to turn off a client is a monetary risk.
5. They are rarely full-sized and often lack a high working weight. As you know, a high maximum working weight can affect the number of clients you are able to work with.
6. Lower quality wood tends to be noisier. It squeaks, creaks, and crackles during sessions. Again, if it might affect the client’s experience, it loses points in my book.
7. They often come with a less-than-stellar warranty. I’ve spoken about this before, but I can’t seem to stress it enough … a good warranty is crucial to the longevity and safety of a product. Its importance simply cannot be ignored.

The crux of it is this: Buying cheap might save you a few extra bucks in the short run, but it can hurt you in the long run. So, look for a great deal on a great table. There are great deals to be had out there and there are incredible tables to accompany them. These tables come fully assembled, with the “comfiest” of cushioning, and the highest quality materials. They will not only make your clients happier, but you’ll save money when you don’t have to replace them every couple of years. So, look for quality andthen find the best deal you can. You’ll be happy you did.

Nope, you didn’t misread it. But, then, I doubt you’re entirely surprised. According to U.S. News and World Report, massage therapists have one of the top ten jobs in the country. Yup, the top ten! Are we amazed? No – we secretly knew it. Are we thrilled? You bet. So, instead of blogging about the intricacies or benefits of a certain massage table or the necessary qualities of a comfortable bolster, today I just want to send my highest high-fives and deepest admiration to the professionals of this extraordinary craft.

Massage therapists – you have chosen a career that is not only in high demand in a challenging economy, but you’ve chosen one that impacts the health of others in an unarguably positive way. You have chosen well. Very, very well.

So, friends, you have my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for many years to come within this fabulous profession! *hats off*

I am, admittedly, a big fan of bolsters. In every shape and size, I feel like they truly add to the massage experience. They do this by improving the comfort of the client. But, bolsters don’t only serve clients; in fact, they help support practitioners in their goals for each massage session as well. That is, to my mind, a real win-win.

Unquestionably, there is more than one way to effectively use a bolster. Clients are unique in their needs and, as such, their experiences with bolsters will vary. Thus, what is considered “ideal” may – and likely will – vary from client to client.In my experience, practice is truly crucial to learning what works best for varying body shapes, sizes, and treatment modalities.

The crux of it is this: bolsters serve to improve client comfort. This makes the bolster an indispensable tool for the massage therapist. After all, the more comfortable your clients are, the better their overall massage experiences will be while on your massage table. Improved client experience is a sure way to improve your business in the long-run. So, bolsters = better business. It’s really that simple.

For those of you who are in the market for a new massage table, you are probably being inundated with table descriptions that include static and working weight. While most massage therapists are familiar with these, if you’re new to the business or if you’re a consumer purchasing for home use, you might be fuzzy on the difference. So, what is the difference between static and working weight? Let’s explore it:

What is Static Weight?

Static weight is precisely what it claims to be: static (a.k.a. unchanging). Basically, it’s the amount of weight you should be able to put on a table without damaging it. Almost all quality massage tables can hold a minimum of 2000 lbs. A table with a static weight limit of 2000 lbs. can safely hold 2000 lbs. of “still” individual. Yes, “still” as in perfectly still and unmoving. The moment that movement or pressure is applied to the table, you have working weight.

What is Working Weight?

Working weight should have a much lower weight threshold than static weight. As a general rule, you can assume that working weight will be approximately one-fourth of static weight. Working weight is dynamic. This means that it flexes along with the pressure applied to it. Thus, working weight applies to the constantly changing pressure that is placed on a table while it is in use.

Why They Are Important!

The amount of working weight that you will require will depend primarily on the modalities that you offer and on the clients that you serve. Those working regularly with obese patients are, for example, likely to need a table with a high working weight. Some modalities, like deep tissue, require more intense, rigorous pressure than others. A high working weight is clearly indicated in those instances as well.

The crux of it is this: working weight and static weight aren’t going to dramatically affect your daily business, but they are critical in your ability to work safely with a range of clients and modalities. Not paying attention to them can cause injury to your clients (and also to you). To my mind, the risk doesn’t outweigh the benefits. In fact, outside of a possibly lower price point, there really aren’t any benefits of low static and working weights. So, pay attention to these numbers when you decide to purchase a table. In the long-term, it will serve you (and your business) well.

With all of that said, let’s remember that the massage therapist will probably have linens on his or her table during most (if not all) of the time that it’s in use. This means that the only person who will ever truly see the table’s color is the actual therapist. Thus, I would argue that the color of a table is less important than one might think. To me, the quality and thickness of the underlying cushioning system is far more important than the color of the upholstery. These things make a real difference in the client’s overall experience.

The reality is this: most clients don’t care about the color of your table’s upholstery. They do care about a moment of escape amidst the unending chaos of life. So, choose a color that you actually like and that at least somewhat complements its future surroundings. After that, don’t give it much thought. It’s going to be covered up anyway.