Clean your massage chair between clients with a solution of mild soap and water with a few drops of essential oils.

You only have a few minutes or less to transition between massage chair clients. Most importantly, this includes cleaning the massage chair and replacing the headrest cover.

Since the vinyl material on your massage chair is exposed to the natural oils on your clients’ hands and faces, it’s important to clean the chair between clients, both for sanitary reasons and to protect the vinyl from drying out and cracking. Disposable face cradle covers protect the headrest, but the arm rest is exposed to oils and clients may also touch the seat and chest pad when getting on or off the chair.

Cleaning Solutions

Although we’ve heard of some massage therapists using bleach in their cleaning solution, we do not recommend using bleach or any other harsh chemicals to clean the chair. Not only can it damage or fade the vinyl, but it can damage your clients’ clothing if not fully dried before they sit down.

We recommend using a solution of mild soap and water. Keep it in a spray bottle for convenience. Then wipe down the vinyl with a soft, clean towel to make sure it dries completely before the next client sits down.

Antibacterial Aromatherapy

Add a few drops of lemon oil or tea tree oil to the cleaning solution for a pleasing scent. These essential oils have antibacterial properties that will naturally disinfect the chair covering. The scent will be subtle but pleasing to your clients…and much more relaxing than the lingering smell of soap, bleach, or alcohol!

Forgetting accessories like an oil holster can make mobile massage stressful.

Here’s another stressful scenario. You arrive at the client’s home for a massage appointment and make several trips up and down a flight of steps to carry in all of your equipment. By the time you’re ready to start the massage, your muscles are aching and your energy is fading. You pour yourself into the session and leave exhausted after lugging all of your equipment back to the car.

Outcall appointments can be stressful and exhausting. Without the convenience of a permanent location, certain factors affecting the massage may be out of your control. But with a little organization and the convenience of accessories designed for the mobile therapist, you can do all that is in your power to make each appointment as successful as possible.

The Convenience of Mobile Massage Equipment

Take the strain off your back with a massage table cart.

One of the most practical and back-saving accessories for outcalls is a rolling table cart. A portable massage table, no matter how lightweight, is a heavy item to transport, and the longer you carry it, the heavier it feels. Save your energy for the massage by rolling your table with a cart. You still have to do a certain amount of lifting, but the cart will ease the overall strain on your body.

A high quality massage table bag can also reduce the strain on your body. A deluxe carry case includes a thickly padded shoulder strap for superior comfort, durable fabric and stitching, and extra padding on the bottom to protect your table from bumps and minor impacts. One of the biggest benefits of a deluxe case is that you can keep all of your main supplies in one bag, with large pockets for a massage bolster, linens, oils, and other accessories on the outside of the case.

If you’re still struggling under the weight of your table, consider purchasing a lightweight aluminum massage table. Aluminum is a lighter material than wood, which makes it perfect for an outcall table. Depending on your size and strength, you may be able to handle a heavier table, but for therapists who prefer the lightest weight possible, aluminum is the way to go.

Organizing Your Mobile Massage Equipment

Even though you can’t always control your environment, there are steps you can take to ensure a relaxing experience for both you and your client. One idea is to make a list of supplies you need for outcalls. Check off your list before each visit. You’ll be less likely to forget something important.

Another idea is to keep all of your outcall supplies together in one place. If you do both office sessions and on-site massage, consider keeping one bottle of massage oil in the office and one in your outcall bag. Store your outcall supplies in your vehicle if possible, except for lubricants, which should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment. Keep samples of lube in your vehicle, just in case you forget to pack some.

Use the following checklist as a starting point for your own list of items to remember. Add or subtract items as needed.

List of Items for Outcalls:

• Massage table
• Bolster pillows
• Linens (sheets, face cradle covers, light blanket)
• Oils, lotions, or creams
• Product holster
• Towels
• Folding massage stool
• CD or MP3 player and speakers
• Small watch or clock
• Hand sanitizer
• Bottle of water
• Intake forms
• Business cards, brochures, and gift certificates
• Appointment book
• Pen and paper
• Nail clippers and file

If you want to make your outcalls extra special, consider including a few of the items in the list below. Your clients will appreciate these luxury add-ons.

Optional Items:

• Massage table warmer pad
• Oil warmer
• Essential oils
• Hot stones
• Small crock pot for hot towels
• Scented candles and warmer

As a mobile therapist, you deal with a constantly changing work environment every day. Use these tips to reduce the stress of outcalls and ensure a relaxing home massage session for both you and your client.

A 60-minute CD for a perfectly timed massage.

Even if you don’t have an internal clock to help you intuitively know when a session is over, there are ways to keep a session within the time limits without glancing at the clock every few minutes.

Most therapists time a session in one of two ways:

1. A timer (or clock)
2. Massage music

1. Timing a Session with a Clock or Timer

There are several different options available for timing a massage session with a timepiece. You could simply use a watch or nurses fob to keep an eye on the time, or you could set up a small clock (not one that ticks) within your line of vision. In order to make timing easier, you could reset the clock to the beginning of the hour—any hour (e.g. 12:00)—so that you can easily see how many minutes have passed.

Another option is to use a timer. A word of caution here. Don’t use a timer that buzzes, beeps, or dings, like a kitchen timer. This is a jarring way to end a massage, and it can snap the client out of the perfectly relaxed state that you’ve worked so hard to create. It also can give the impression that you are focused on the time spent on a massage more so than on providing exceptional service and meeting clients’ needs.

Instead, look for a timer with a vibrating alert or, even better, a flashing light instead of an audible alarm. If you do choose to use an alarm with sound, make sure it is a pleasant sound, such as a soft chime. Your ending sequence should signal to the client that you’ve reached the end of the massage—not the sound of an alarm.

2. Timing a Session with Music for Massage

An easy way to time full body massage is with music. Some massage music is specifically timed to 60 minutes with this in mind. You can also use timed music for chair massage sessions; however, you may want to find several songs that work for you so that you don’t have to listen to the same music for every session.

As you get used to hearing a CD and the progression of songs, you’ll know when certain songs signal you to move on to the next sequence and when to start wrapping up the massage. When a certain track starts to play, you’ll know that it’s time to wrap up the neck and shoulders and move to the back, then from the back to the legs, and so on. And when the final track begins to play, you’ll have time to bring your routine to a satisfying close.

For successful chair massage,
focus on the client's needs.

First off, ask the client if he or she has any specific requests. Are there any tight spots that need extra attention? Any sore or tender spots that should be avoided? If the client asks you to focus on the neck area, take extra time for the neck. If it’s a quick 10-minute session, you might end up working almost solely on the neck area.

Listen to the client’s needs and take them into account during the massage. Knowing that you listen and care about your clients can be as stress-relieving for the client as the massage itself.

If the client doesn’t ask for any specific requests, just follow your normal chair massage routine, paying special attention to any tight areas.

If time permits, you may want to use a brief intake form to gather information. It’s also a great way to follow up with clients through mailings or e-mail. The intake form should include the client’s name, address, phone, and e-mail address for follow-up contact and mailings; a brief overview of current injuries, illness, or other physical conditions; pain medications; assessment of stress and pain levels; and allergies. Include any other specific information you may need.

At the bottom of the form, ask the client to sign a waiver stating that they have provided all related medical information, that they understand the massage is for relaxation purposes only, and that the therapist will not provide any medical diagnosis. This waiver will help protect you in case of legal action taken against you.

If you’re doing corporate chair massage, request that employees fill out the intake form before you arrive. With the form already filled out, they can hop right on the massage chair, which will save more time for the actual massage.

A different way to get client information is to use a sign-up sheet asking for the client’s name, address, phone, e-mail, and informed consent. Place a cover sheet on top of the sign-up sheet with the informed consent disclaimer in large print.

Most importantly, don’t forget to prepare yourself mentally for each client. Take the effort to focus on each client’s individual needs. The attention you give each client makes a huge difference.

Do I Need a Lightweight Massage Table?

Euro-Light Portable Massage Table - 27 pounds

The question is—how lightweight does your portable massage table need to be?

As a general ballpark figure, a portable massage table that weighs less than 30 pounds is considered lightweight. An ultra lightweight table is generally defined as 27 pounds or lighter.

What Is the Massage Table Weight Based On?

The portable massage table weight listed by a manufacturer is based on the weight of the massage table alone. This means that the weight of the headrest, side extenders, arm shelf, or other accessories that store inside your table are in addition to the rated massage table weight.

What Is the Ideal Massage Table Weight?

Save your back with a massage table cart.

What Makes a Massage Table Lightweight?

Many different factors affect the weight of a massage table, including the weight of the materials used, the table width and length, and the foam thickness. Although some truly lightweight wood massage tables do exist, most ultra lightweight massage tables are constructed with aluminum rather than wood. Aluminum is a lighter weight material and just as strong—in fact, stronger—than wood.

Another factor that reduces the weight of a portable massage table is the length and width. If your clients are short to average height and you always use the face cradle, you may be able to squeak by with a shorter massage table. Massage table width is not as negotiable, however, since the width of the massage table impacts your body mechanics. Performing massage on a table that is too wide or too narrow for your body type can result in injury.

Foam thickness is another possible compromise. The thicker the padding, the heavier the table will be. An uncomfortable massage table, however, is not worth the weight it will shave off if it makes your clients unhappy.

Final Words of Wisdom

When shopping for a lightweight massage table, don’t forget to look at the dimensions! It’s better to purchase a heavier massage table (and use a table cart, if needed) than to purchase a massage table that forces you to compromise on your body mechanics or your clients’ comfort.

Portable Massage Chair

Seated massage is an excellent introduction to massage therapy for potential clients. A chair massage allows clients to sample the power of healing touch before experimenting with the deeper benefits of full-body massage.

Chair massage is typically administered with the client fully clothed, eliminating the need for absolute privacy and opening up your massage practice to public locations and group events. Chair massage usually involves shorter sessions, which is appealing to busy clients who may struggle to block out an hour or more of their time.

A controlled research study published by the International Journal of Neuroscience provides scientific evidence that office chair massage reduces job-related stress and increases the productivity of workers. Seated massage is particularly beneficial for relieving neck and shoulder tension built up from long periods of sitting or repetitive motion work.

Massage chairs are easily portable and take up less space than a massage table. The structure of the massage chair is designed to mimic the fetal position and invoke a sense of nurture and security.

Massage in the workplace allows you to reach individuals who may never have considered booking a massage therapy session before. Their reasons for neglecting the power of massage may differ, but they generally boil down to two excuses: time and money.

Excuse #1: Time

Many of your corporate clients will fall into the overworked or overstressed category. They simply can’t find the time or energy to book a table massage and travel to your office. With the on-site convenience of corporate massage, however, your clients have no excuse. Chair or desk massages take as little as ten minutes and include no prep or travel time, so your clients don’t have to block out an hour or two in their day. They also don’t need to plan ahead by booking an appointment a week in advance.

Excuse #2: Money

The other limiting factor for table massage is cost. With corporate massage, almost anyone can afford to invest in regular massage. Some employers cover the full cost of a workplace massage contract. Other employers subsidize your services and employees pay a reduced cost. Lastly, some corporate locations hire your services for the convenience of their employees, who pay you directly for your services. Even in situations where the employee covers the full cost, the shortened sessions offered with seated massage cuts the cost down to a reasonable rate for any employee to cover.

Some potential massage clients may be hesitant to try new things. Chair massage is a great way to introduce the power of massage therapy to new clients. It also allows the client to remain fully clothed, which may be another barrier to table massage. With these hesitations aside, more individuals will benefit from your healing touch through corporate massage.

As a mobile therapist, you face unforeseen challenges and inconveniences with every new appointment. Take some of the uncertainty and hassle out of outcalls with these three massage accessories for the mobile therapist.

One of the biggest hassles for professional outcall massage is carting your massage table and supplies around to various locations. While you may be able to convince a few of your regular clients to purchase their own massage tables, there are several practical accessories available to make your job easier.

1. Massage Table Cart

Lugging around a portable massage table all day, no matter how lightweight it may be, can be a chore. It can also be hard on your back, and you don’t want to risk injury in a job that depends on your own strength and well-being.

With a rolling massage table cart, you can take it easy on your back and transport your table over long distances without tiring out, so you can save your energy for the massage. Most table carts also fold for easy storage in your vehicle or office.

2. Deluxe Table Case

When you travel for outcalls, do you find yourself making multiple trips to the car and back just to haul in all of your equipment? Do you forget to pack important items? Keep all your essential equipment and accessories in one place with a deluxe massage table carry case.

The extra storage space is perfect for therapists on the go, allowing you to store bolsters, linens, lubricant, and other supplies all in one place—which means you’ll be less likely to forget something and you’ll have fewer items to carry in separately.

3. Massage Product Holster

As a mobile therapist, your environment changes everywhere you go, which means you may or may not have a convenient place to set your massage oil or lubricant. With a massage product holster, you don’t have to worry about where to set your lubricant. You can keep it at your side, ready for use at all times. The product holster is compact and folds for easy storage in your deluxe table case.

• A portable massage table should be crafted from lightweight but sturdy materials. The Canadian maple wood used in constructing the OneTouch massage tables offers the premium strength and quality that a client expects without sacrificing the lightweight feature essential for a portable table. For the ultimate in lightweight tables, the aluminum OneTouch Ultra-Light is one of the lightest portable massage tables on the market.

• A carrying case is essential for transporting a light portable massage table. OneTouch lightweight massage tables come with a free zippered carrying case with an adjustable over-the-shoulder strap and side handle. Also available are the OneTouch massage table case with wheels and the rolling table cart, perfect for preventing back strain or for therapists who require greater ease in transporting their table. Both OneTouch cases include an extra pocket on the outside of the case, perfect for storing massage oils or lotions, hand sanitizer, face cradle covers, or massage table sheets. Massage table cases offer protection and prolong the life of your massage table.

• All accessories should be removable for easy storage. The massage table accessories for OneTouch are secured with elastic straps underneath the table and fold into the table’s built-in storage space when the table is ready to be put back in the carrying case.

Ultra-Light Series Portable Massage Table

Convenient storage.
Easily portable.