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!

Helping your clients get comfortable is the first step in a successful chair massage session. Each client is shaped differently. Some clients will only require minor adjustments, while others may require a number of adjustments to make them comfortable. Some portable massage chairs are more adjustable than others, so do the best you can for each client.

Here are some basic tips on how to adjust your portable massage chair. Keep in mind that your specific massage chair may require special adjustments.

Face Rest:
Loosen the cam lock / adjustment lever on the face cradle. Ask the client to hold on to the sides of the face cradle with both hands while they adjust the face cradle to the angle and height that is comfortable for them. Then lock the face cradle in place.

Seat Height:
Adjust the seat up or down according to the client’s height. Adjust the seat higher for short clients who are having trouble reaching the face cradle. For tall clients, you may want to raise both the seat height and face cradle height.

Chest Pad Height:
You may need to slide the chest pad up or down for clients with large tummies or for pregnant women.

Armrest Height:
Adjust the armrest up or down according to seat height and the client’s arm length. Raise or lower the armrest until the client’s shoulders are comfortably rounded.

Positioning the Client Backwards:
In some cases, you may need to position the client backwards on the massage chair. To do this, lower the seat height (so the seat is more parallel to the floor) and turn the face pad 180 degrees so that the “U” section is supporting the client’s neck.

A portable massage chair is a great investment in your business, whether you use it occasionally for events and marketing opportunities or you practice chair massage full-time. Choosing the best massage chair for your needs is important. A quality chair requires solid construction and lightweight materials for easy portability. Consider the following features when shopping for your new chair:

Journey Portable Massage Chair

1. Frame

Most portable massage chairs are constructed from steel, aluminum, or aircraft-grade aluminum. Steel is heavier than aluminum. For the lightest possible massage chair, choose an aluminum frame. For an even more durable frame, look for aircraft-grade aluminum.

2. Foam

A quality massage chair will combine several layers of foam and density levels. The high density foam at the base ensures durability, and the plush layer of foam on top ensures client comfort. High quality foam should be durable enough to withstand regular, long-term use.

3. Face Cradle

A fully adjustable face cradle gives you the most options. The face cradle is attached either by a single post or by two posts. The single post is a less complicated design, which makes it the slightly cheaper option. The double post headrest is similar to the headrest on a massage table. The design is more complex, but it’s also quick and easy to adjust.

4. Chair Weight

If you use your chair primarily in the office, weight might not be a big issue, but if you carry your chair often, you’ll want to find a lightweight massage chair. The frame construction has the biggest effect on chair weight. Aluminum chairs are the lightest option.

5. Weight Capacity

Consider the weight of your clients before purchasing a massage chair. Can the chair safely hold the weight of your heaviest clients? Note that the higher the weight capacity of the chair, generally the higher the chair weight will be.

6. Adjustability

Fewer adjustment options means fewer knobs and levers to fiddle with and quicker, easier setup. More adjustment options leads to greater versatility and a custom fit for clients. The face cradle, chest pad, seat, and arm rest should all be adjustable. Make sure your portable massage chair has enough adjustment options to provide for the varied height, body shape, and comfort of your clients.

7. Added Features

If you transport your massage chair, you’ll want a carry case to protect the chair and make it easier to carry. A sternum pad can provide extra comfort for some of your clients. Other optional features include wheels or a jewelry pouch.

8. Warranty

One of the benefits of buying a new portable massage chair is the warranty. If by chance something goes wrong with your chair, you know that you’re covered. However, few manufacturers transfer the warranty beyond the original purchaser, so if you buy a used massage chair, make sure it is in excellent condition. If something breaks after you buy it, you will be responsible for the cost of repairs.

The brand new Avant Portable Massage Chair is now available from OneTouch Massage! This ergonomically designed massage chair is designed to provide solid, comfortable support for the client’s head, neck, chest, arms, and lower body.

With four adjustable positions for the seat and arm rest and multiple adjustments for the face cradle, you can easily position your clients in a way that’s comfortable for them and provides better access for you.

At only 17 pounds, this portable massage chair is lightweight and easy to carry for mobile appointments. It comes with a durable carry case and strap to protect the chair and make it easier to carry.

The Avant Massage Chair is similar to the Journey but comes with a single post face cradle design and a contoured chest pad for client comfort.

Now available for a special price of $149.99, including free shipping (lower 48 states). Buy now to take advantage of this low price!

Looking for the best deal on a portable massage chair? We did the research on portable massage chairs available in the market today and compared them side by side. Compare the features and prices for yourself in the table below. This portable massage chair comparison includes the OneTouch Journey Portable Massage Chair, Oakworks Portal Pro, Earthlite Vortex, Stronglite Ergo-Pro, and Master Massage’s The Bedford™.

Specifications	OneTouch Massage	Oakworks	Earthlite	Stronglite	Master Massage
Model	Journey Massage Chair	Portal Pro	Vortex	Ergo-Pro	The Bedford™
Chair Weight	18 lbs	19 lbs	15 lbs	19 lbs	15 lbs
Frame Construction	Lightweight Aluminum	Lightweight Aluminum	Lightweight Aluminum	Lightweight Aluminum	Lightweight Aluminum
Upholstery	Ultra Plush Upholstery	TerraTouch™ Upholstery	Natursoft™ Upholstery	SatinTouch Upholstery	Not Specified
Folds for Storage?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Working Weight Capacity	300 pounds	350 pounds	300 pounds	600 pounds	450 pounds
Price	$169.99	$389.00 and up	$299.00	$349.00	$199.95
Shipping	Free	Varies	Additional Cost	Free	Free
Included Accessories
Headrest	Fully Adjustable	QuickLock™ Face Rest	Fully Adjustable	Fully Adjustable	Fully Adjustable
Sternum Pad	Yes	Additional Cost	Yes	Yes	Not Included
Carry Bag	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Note: All specifications are based on the manufacturer’s stated price and massage chair description at time of posting.

Related Posts

• Portable Massage Table Comparison – Chart comparing OneTouch Massage Tables with other manufacturers
• OneTouch Massage Table Comparison – Chart comparing the OneTouch Aspire, Professional, Deluxe, Elite, and Renew Series massage tables
• Lightweight Aluminum Massage Table Comparison – Chart comparing the OneTouch Ultra-Light and Euro-Light with other aluminum massage tables

After the hefty price tag of tuition and school loans, the cost of purchasing massage equipment may seem overwhelming, but if you start with the essentials and purchase optional equipment as your cash flow increases, the initial expense of starting out as a massage therapist will be easier to cover.

What equipment is considered essential for a massage therapist? Basically, there are four pieces of equipment needed to start out your career:

1. Portable Massage Table
2. Massage Oil
3. Massage Linens
4. Bolster Pillows

1. Portable Massage Table

A portable massage table is the biggest investment you will need to make as a new massage therapist. Even if you plan to work in a spa or office with massage tables already supplied, having your own massage table will give you the flexibility to practice on friends and family and to earn extra money on the side by offering on-site massage. For the best deal, look for a massage table package that includes a face cradle, arm rest, and massage table bag.

Most students start out with a massage table, then purchase a portable massage chair later on. If you’re strapped for money (along with the majority of recent massage graduates), you might want to follow suit. You can often find a cheap massage table (cheap in price, not in quality) that includes the same features and quality as the more expensive brands.

This still leaves you with the option to upgrade to a more expensive table later in your career, although you just might discover that the “cheap” massage table you purchased to start out your career is just as high quality as the more expensive massage tables on the market.

2. Massage Oil

If you’re starting up your own business, buy massage oil in bulk. If your employer provides massage oil, you can purchase it in smaller amounts to use on the side for word-of-mouth clients and friends and family.

3. Massage Linens

As you have the money, invest in quality massage sheets. You’ll need enough sheet sets for two full days of massage. That way, even if you don’t get the laundry done every day, you’ll still have enough sheets to get by. Twin bed sheets work in a pinch or if you can’t afford to invest in massage sheets just yet.

If you plan on using the face cradle, remember to keep face cradle covers on hand. You can find reusable covers or disposable covers or, in a pinch, you can make your own headrest covers.

If the temperature in the room is on the cool side, you’ll also need a light blanket or two to keep the client warm.

4. Bolster Pillows

Massage bolsters are important for positioning and client comfort. If you need to pick and choose your essential equipment, use regular bed pillows until you can afford bolster pillows.

To save on laundry and the cost of bolster covers, use a pillowcase or slip the bolster underneath the bottom sheet. It takes a little fussing to arrange the sheet over the bolster, but this trick saves you money and laundry. You can also try arranging the bolsters underneath the sheet before the client gets on the table and then moving the bolsters slightly as needed after the client gets situated.

Final Thoughts

That’s about it for essential massage equipment! Depending on your needs, you might want to add a few more items to the list. Some therapists consider a massage stool to be an essential piece of equipment. If you don’t purchase a stool right away, put it at the top of your list of future massage purchases. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes after a full day of massages!