Use bolsters or pillows for extra support.

Do-it-yourself massage is a relaxing pastime that draws families and couples together. A portable massage table enhances this pastime and allows you to give and receive massages with proper ergonomics and comfortable positioning.

Setting up for massage at home is simple and easy with a portable massage table. Just follow these steps to prepare for a simple and relaxing home massage:

1. Choose a room for the massage that is quiet, free from distractions, and large enough for the massage giver to move easily around the massage table.
2. Set up the portable massage table following the instructions in your manual.
3. Cover the massage table with sheets or large bath towels to protect the upholstery from massage oil, perspiration, and body oils.
4. Get your massage supplies together: massage oil or lotion, pillows or bolsters for support, a washcloth to wipe off excess oil, a sheet and blanket for covering the massage recipient, and any other supplies you need.
5. If you have a light dimmer, turn the lights down low. Otherwise, use candles or a floor lamp to create softer light.
6. Light scented candles or use a few drops of aromatherapy to create a soothing aroma.
7. Turn on soft, relaxing music. Choose any music that helps you relax, no matter what genre.
8. Turn the phones off, take care of your pets’ needs, and let others in the house know not to disturb you unless it’s urgent.
9. Take care of any other potential distractions before you begin the massage. Setting aside a time without distractions or interruptions will lead to a more relaxing massage experience!

Improve your quality of life with couples massage and electronic massage!

Handheld electronic massager for home use

Scientific research continues to support the benefits of massage therapy, not only for the body, but also for the mind, emotions, and spirit. Mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health are all interrelated. Discord in any one of these components of life can affect all other areas of your well-being. Intense stress, especially over a long period of time, compromises your immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight off colds and the flu and can make you vulnerable to much more serious diseases and complications.

One of the greatest benefits of massage therapy is stress relief. If you lack a sufficient outlet for the pressures you face each day, the tension you feel will continue to build over time, making stressful events that much harder to deal with. Situations that are easy to handle when you are relaxed can get blown out of proportion when you are under intense pressure.

Instructional Massage DVD

Practice your techniques with your spouse or partner. Couples massage at home strengthens your relationship on many different levels. For increased comfort and flexibility, consider a professional massage table. Using a table increases comfort and allows easy access to all areas of the body.

A quality massage table increases the effectiveness of home massage overall. The best massage table for home use is portable and lightweight. A portable massage table easily folds for storage and is convenient for homes with limited floor space.

Electronic massagers are also a convenient option for massage at home. These electronic products help you relax on your own or with a partner. A quality vibrating massager offers just the right amount of pressure to release muscle tension and stubborn knots. You can also look for handheld massage aids that provide extra power to use with your partner.

Some electronic massagers allow you to experiment with different types of massage, such as chi swing machine. A chi machine rocks the feet gently from side to side, which creates a swinging movement throughout the body that relaxes and energizes.

Massage therapy is not just a luxury for the wealthy. Simple and convenient home massage products can bring the power of therapeutic touch into your life without straining your budget.

Taking advantage of the benefits of massage therapy is one of the best ways to fully relax—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Touch is a powerful force—one that is often lacking in America’s “hands-off” culture.

The problem is that in today’s economy, there’s not much extra cash lying around to splurge on a one-hour massage therapy session. However, there are ways to make massage more affordable. Here’s a few ideas to get you started. Each idea is rated by its cheapness. One dollar sign ($) is the cheapest. Four dollar signs ($$$$) is the least cheap. Prices stated are average estimates.

The Cheapness Factor:

$$$$ = Cheap Massage

$$$ = Cheaper Massage

$$ = Cheapest Massage

$ = Free Massage

$$$$ Discounts

Many massage therapists offer first-time discounts, referral discounts, and package deals. Take advantage of those when you can. Some therapists also offer a sliding fee scale upon request. Granted, even with a discount, these options can still be fairly expensive. Let’s look at some cheaper options!

Price: First-time discount: $10-$15 off for one hour massage. Other discounts vary.

$$ Chair Massage

The very nature of chair massage makes it more affordable. The session length can be as short as 5 minutes, and the therapist focuses on problem areas or the back, neck, and head areas. This way you can get focused relief on the tightest muscles without paying for a full body massage. Most therapists charge a dollar a minute for chair massage, which means that a 15-minute massage will cost you only $15.00.

Price: $1 per minute

$ Skills Trade

Bartering is alive and well in the massage therapy field. Think of what skills you can offer your massage therapist in return for a massage. Can you design websites, teach piano lessons to her kids, give her a haircut or perm, or give her office a new coat of paint? Put your expertise to work in exchange for the bodywork that you’re craving. Your massage therapist may be more open to the idea than you think…as long as you can offer her something she needs in exchange.

Price: Free + your expertise

$$$ Student Clinics

Are there any massage schools in your area? Chances are that you can get a discounted rate at the student clinic. The massage students are supervised by licensed instructors who ensure the quality of care that you will receive. By the time students work in the clinic, they have already had many hours of practice.

Price: $20-$40 per hour

$$ Electronic Massage Products

There are plenty of electronic massage products out on the market: shiatsu, handheld, back, and foot massagers, to name a few. For the best price, shop the overstock sales, wholesale e-commerce stores, and the after-Christmas clearance racks.

Price: $20 and up

$$$ Home Massage Table

If you’re really ambitious, you can even buy a massage table and learn massage in the comfort of your own home. The recent expansion of the massage table industry means that you can easily find a massage table for under $200. As long as you have a willing partner, you can give and receive massage for free in your own home. The more you take advantage of massage at home, the sooner your table will pay for itself.

Price: Massage Table: $150-$200; Massage Sessions: Free

Do you have more ideas for getting a cheap massage? Let us know in the comments!

With a massage table at home, you can easily indulge in the luxury and healing power of therapeutic touch on a regular basis. Check out the benefits of owning your own portable massage table below.

Enjoy giving and receiving massage in the comfort of your own home.

With a massage table at home, you can enjoy the luxury of therapeutic touch on a regular basis with your spouse or partner. You can learn simple massage techniques and more advanced methods from instructional DVDs or local classes in your community. The more you practice, the better you will get at using different techniques. Take turns with your partner so that both of you get to enjoy giving and receiving massage.

Grow closer to your spouse or loved one.

Touch is a powerful factor in the strength of intimate relationships. If you’re looking to grow closer to your spouse or significant other, giving each other massages at home is a great way to bond on an emotional and physical level. In the broader American culture, touch is a neglected part of relationships with the ones we love. Massage at home is one way to improve intimate relationships through touch.

Live a healthier life.

Numerous studies have shown the wide-ranging benefits of massage. Studies by the Touch Research Institute have shown that both the massage giver and the one receiving massage experience benefits on multiple levels: emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental. Even those who are already healthy can benefit from improved circulation, deeper sleep, even emotional and spiritual well-being.

Learn to relax.

After a long day at work, what could sound better than a relaxing massage at home! Stress can build up over time and cause us to blow a situation out of proportion. You may not even realize how stressed out you are until something minor causes you to overreact. Don’t let stress overwhelm your life and complicate your relationships and day-to-day life. Learn how to let go and relax with regular massage at home.

Save your therapist’s back.

Carrying around a massage table—even a lightweight one—is hard on your body. It’s a risk some professional therapists don’t want to take, since their livelihood depends on the health of their body. Pulling a muscle or straining their back means that a therapist must either work through the pain or turn down clients until the injury heals. If a client owns a massage table, however, a professional therapist is much more likely to agree to travel to your home for an appointment. In fact, they may even offer you a discount.

With the option of professional and do-it-yourself massage, owning a home massage table provides benefits and flexibility on more than one level. See what the benefits are for yourself when you purchase your portable massage table!

Related Posts

• How to Use Bolster Pillows for Massage at Home – Learn how to use massage bolsters in the supine, prone, and side-lying positions.
• Creating a Home Massage Room – Learn how to create a relaxing atmosphere for home massage.

Prepare Yourself for Massage

Even more important than taking care of details and setting up the massage space is to take the time to prepare yourself for the massage. Take a few minutes to relax before the therapist arrives. Meditate, stretch, listen to music, or do whatever helps you let go of any stress you may be feeling.

For the most comfort during the massage, avoid eating any heavy foods for two hours before the session so that you can lie on your stomach without any discomfort. Get plenty of sleep the night before so that you are well rested. Shower or rinse off before the massage if you are sweaty or dirty. Your therapist will appreciate working on clean, dry skin.

Practice massage at home between therapist visits.

Consider purchasing your own massage table so that you and a partner can practice simple massage techniques on one another. There are a wide variety of low-cost, professional-quality massage tables available for home use.

You can also use electronic massagers or self-massage techniques to reduce stress in between therapist sessions. The more you strive for health and balance as a regular part of your life, the more beneficial your in home massages will be and the more relaxed you will feel on a daily basis.

For more tips on how to prepare for massage at home, see Eliminate Distractions and Create a Relaxing Atmosphere.

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

Clear a 7 x 10 foot area for the massage table.

Move furniture out of the room or off to the side as needed to create a large, open space. The larger the space, the less cramped you will feel and the more comfortable your therapist will be during the session. If you have a private backyard or patio, this can be a relaxing place for a massage; however, if weather conditions are fickle or you live in a noisy neighborhood, an indoor setting may be a better choice.

Ask your massage therapist about details such as music and aromatherapy. Some therapists take care of these details themselves. If not, you may wish to light scented candles and turn on your favorite music for relaxing. Turn down the lights, close the blinds for privacy, and adjust the temperature to your comfort level.

For more tips on how to prepare for massage, see Eliminate Distractions and Prepare Yourself for Massage.

Eliminate Distractions

In home massage therapy is convenient. You feel safe and comfortable in your own space, and it saves you the time it takes to travel to the therapist’s office and back. The downside is that there can be a lot of distractions at home that fight for your attention and keep you from fully relaxing. In order to get the most benefit from a massage in your home, you need to take care of details beforehand and eliminate as many distractions as possible.

Since the massage will be taking place in your own home, your job as the client is to create a relaxing atmosphere and take care of important details before the therapist arrives. Phones ringing, kids yelling, and dogs barking can introduce stress into the session. As much as possible, eliminate these potential distractions before your massage. Turn off the phones. Take care of your pets’ needs and make sure they will not be under foot. Ask other people in the house not to disturb you for the duration of the massage session and take care of any pressing details so that they are not weighing on your mind.

For more tips on preparing for massage, see Create a Relaxing Atmosphere and Prepare Yourself for Massage.

Jojoba Massage Oil

One way is through self-massage. Use a professional quality, unscented massage oil, such as jojoba oil, to gently massage your belly for at least 5 minutes. Do this once or twice a day throughout the pregnancy to relieve stress, nourish the skin, and help prevent stretch marks, among other benefits.

Another way to benefit from massage at home is to ask your spouse or partner for a foot or neck massage. Let him know what feels good and what doesn’t. Communication is the key to a comfortable, safe, and beneficial massage at home.

Learn how to bolster your partner for a relaxing massage at home.

Using bolsters for massage at home can enhance the effectiveness of massage. Bolster pillows not only provide extra comfort for the partner on the table, but they also position the body in a natural alignment, which allows the muscles to fully relax.

Since the body doesn’t naturally lie flat, a massage table alone doesn’t provide proper support. Bolster cushions support the natural curvature of the body and encourage deeper relaxation. The muscles can tighten up without proper support. Invite the muscles to “let go” by aligning and supporting the body in a neutral position. The more relaxed your partner is, the more beneficial the massage will be. Using bolster pillows gives the home therapist easier access to deeper, thicker muscle tissue.

Here are some tips for using bolster pillows in the face up (supine), face down (prone), and side-lying positions.

Face Up:
Place a full round massage bolster under the knees. Then slide a half round bolster underneath the curve of the neck when your partner is lying face up. Instead of a half bolster, you can also remove the Velcro face cradle pad to use as a neck bolster. Elevating the head and neck is helpful for clients with asthma, allergies, or congestion in the chest or sinuses. Use a thicker bolster to lift the head higher if needed. Ask your partner if he or she is more comfortable with the massage bolsters or without. Adjust the bolsters as needed.

Face Down:
In the prone (face down) position, slide a full bolster pillow under the ankles. You can also slide a bolster under the hips or just above the chest area with the arms resting on the forward arm shelf. Each person may differ slightly in how they like to be positioned. Find a position that works for both partners.

Side:
With your partner lying on one side, slightly bend the top leg at the knee and rest it on top of a full massage bolster. Keep the bottom leg fairly straight in a relaxed position and aligned with the rest of the body. Give your partner a pillow to hug for arm support, and slide a pillow or bolster under the neck.

How you use your massage bolster pillows ultimately depends on the comfort of the partner on the table. Ask for feedback when positioning your partner, and use your own judgment to maximize the comfort of the massage.

Reduce overhead costs for your business with a home massage room.

If your massage business is struggling, it may be time to reassess your business plan. One way to reduce expenses is to offer massage out of your own home. Working from home can drastically cut costs and keep your business thriving in a tight economy. With a little effort and planning, you can create a home massage room with a calming tone and functional layout.

One of the first questions to consider when you work out of your home is space. You will need a room that allows privacy and is large enough to leave plenty of space around the massage table. It should also be large enough for you to include other furniture without making the room feel crowded. Keep the furnishings and decorations as simple as possible. A cluttered room is distracting and can hinder relaxation.

Lighting can have a major impact on the ambiance of a room. A dimmer switch is ideal because it allows you to easily control the lighting as needed. A couple of small table lamps or a floor lamp with a dimmer switch also work well to create a soft and peaceful atmosphere.

Choose soothing and inviting colors and decorations that complement your personal style. As you brainstorm for decorating ideas, try to look at the room from the client’s perspective. Lie on the massage table to see exactly what your clients will see during a massage session.

Consider the practical as well as the aesthetic. Provide space for your clients to set their clothes and shoes, hang coats, and keep jewelry. Hang a mirror in your massage room for clients to fix their hair after a massage.

As you design your massage room, strive for a balance between the functional and the aesthetic. Both are vital to the success of your home massage business.