arm rests/face cradles/cables

[smexysexkay]

hi,this is my first post (my first post anywhere for that matter). this is a great forum, i am learning so much here!...i am a new massage therapist graduate.as i am shopping for my first table, i was very interested in reading the "massage tables are devils thread".i have several questions:1. does anyone have experience with a portable arm rest shelf? is this an "extra" that would be worthwhile to order? 2. are face cradles for massage tables interchangeable between manufacturer's...i'm wondering if i could order just the face cradle from one company and put it on another company's table?3. shiatsu cables? is this an important feature? i have taken thai and some shiatsu classes, and have begun incorporating some of the techniques into my regular table massage...i havent had the opportunity to do a whole thai floor massage on a paying client, and i am not sure if this table feature is important enough?thanks so much to all of you....all these threads and information are wonderful!

 

[prairiewife]

Hi and welcome!Question #1: Many of my clients enjoy using an arm rest even though I personally never use one. As a therapist I definitely have a preference for the type of arm rest when I am working. I don't like the "shelf" type because they are always getting in my way.  (Other therapists I know don't seem to be bothered by them). Personally, I like the flexible hanging kind that are kind of the like a hand "muffler".  The only place I've seen them for sale are with the tables you can buy at Sam's Club (unfortunately you have to buy the table too) and by the company Master Tables (I believe that's what it's called).Question 2: No, not all face cradles are interchangeable. Most often the cushion part is (just velcroes on) but the base can vary widely. Question 3: Sorry, I have no experience with this one!

 

[servmal]

I'll put in my 2 cents about question number 3:I bought my table while in school (how do you practice at home while in school without a table?).  Anyway, at the time, I didn't know if I was going to go on and take Shiatsu (was separate choice in our school).  I decided to go with the Shiatsu cables, so that I would have the option.  I figured that if I really needed to, I could always use the table as an extra bed on the floor for my niece.  So, I've had my table 4 years now and I've never used them.  I'm not even sure I know how to operate it.  I think it was a free upgrade or came with the table I chose, so it's not like it was an added expense for me.  If I had to do it all over again and it was offered on the table I was choosing (I wouldn't choose the table based on whether the feature was offered), then I'd go for it again.  You just never know what is up the line for you in your practice.  If the table you really like does not have this option, I wouldn't base the decision on that if you don't feel a NEED for the cables.  

 

[BleacHie]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

thank you for the replies...KneadedMassage- i've had the great fortune to use a family member's(does energy work) massage table for practice.my practice table as well as the school tables have only face holes..i have no experience w/ face cradles..do you remove the face cradle and have the client scoot down onto the table top (supine) to work on the neck? all the techniques i learned at school involved the clients neck being on the tabletop or lying in the therapists hands..or do those tilting face cradles i see replace the therapists hands?? hope this makes sense, thanks.

 

[M D]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

I am definitely a fan of face cradles versus face holes. I feel much more comfortable when in the prone position if I have the face cradle. It also does give your clients the option of having their hands hang down onto the arm rest shelf. As for your questions about postitioning, yes, the client does "scoot down" on the table when in supine so their head rests on the main part of the table and the face cradle just folds down out of the way.

 

[AHM]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

I will advise you to stay clear of the side arm rests that claim to add 8 in width to your table....theyre a pain in the arse, and they scooch around (clients think theyre a part of the table, so they tend to lean on them) the arm rests located under the face cradles are nice, however!

 

[xoCircles]

Arm rests at the head of the table that are under the face cradle are an option on many portables.  I don't recommend the use of them as they promote poor posture.  I have the clients arms beside them on the table, and often put a small bolster (rolled up hand towel) under each shoulder.Face cradles are the best way to go, but it needs to be of good quality with good adjustments.  Both the angle and height are important.  Not many face cradles are interchangeable.  I find that Oakworks makes the best one that I've ever seen.

 

[Cinner]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

i appreciate the advice..i am confused about the face cradles...if i am supposed to remove the face cradle and do neck work with my client's neck directly on the table top (supine), then what is the purpose of the tilting face cradles and all the various positions they tilt into?thanks,

 

[c_marie]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

I don't have an arm rest on my table. Most of my clients are fine with their arms lying beside them on the table itself. If someone would like to hang their arms or rest them on something I have a stool that I'll put under the face cradle for them.

 

[FeveDrercor]

1) arm rest shelves - the ones under the face cradle - I find they get in the way of me walking around the table. I always move the amrs along side the body after a little while, but I find men seem to like the shelf, even if I don't have the self on, new male clients almost always dangle their arms over the end of the table, I think they want to grab onto the legs of the table or something.arm rests on the side of the table - handy in Australia where tables are narrower than the US, but I can't see the point for the US.2) face cradle - they move around for when the client is face down, gives more access to area, good for larger cleints.  I can hardly work without one, I usually have it angled down just a little bit, don't think I've ever had it angled upwards...3) shiatsu cables - it's handy as a spare emergency bed, but really for any floor massage technique, you're usually moving the arms beyond the side of a massage table, and so I can't see how you could actually do a shiatsu floor session with a table. Anyone?

 

[Naomi C]

to palms downFace cradles are for prone work.  The adjustment in height and angle is to accomodate the varying curvatures of client's necks.  It also allows you to position their head/neck for easier access to the back of their neck.  Some clients prefer the face cradle to be a little higher to reduce the sinus congestion, and puffiness under the eyes.

 

[Law Man]

some of the face cradles i've seen online tilt in "hundreds of positions" and the pics show them angled UP at 45 degrees to the table..the client would have to be supine, correct?  i'm just wondering if anyone uses this type of tilting face cradle (better termed head supports?) for supine neck work, or if you move them down onto the table top and use your hands to support the head?.. just want to spend my money wisely...thanks again

 

[auriflamme]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

I do use the face cradle for tall people supine.  I have a solid cushion that replaces the horseshoe face cushion.  I have never angled it up.You've got fixed face cradles - not very flexibleYou've got face cradles that tilt up and down - they tilt up because they tilt down, not for any major theraputic benefits that I can think of, except for the sinus mentioned above.  You will be able to see when someone has the type of build where they need the cradle tilted down, they're the ones that looked all jammed up using the face hole in the table.You've got face cradles that go up and down and sideways - adds to access, but probably not worth worrying about at this point of your career.A face cradle that tilts down and fits the table will be a good place to start.  It's more "choose your table and get the matching face cradle" than "choose your face cradle and get the matching table". Every decent table will have an adjustable face cradle included or as an option.  Some will have the adjustable sideways face cradles, and shiatsu cables as big selling points, neither are THAT big a deal. Tilting in "hundreds of positions" is more a reflection of the engineering behind the hinge than what you actually need.Your cushioning, width, breast comfort, height adjustable (you may think you know what height you want, but with different styles you need different heights) should be the concern when picking the table.

 

[PACmon]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

thanks for all the face cradle info...i did talk to an instructor at school ... his opinion is that the face cradles just gets in his way and he takes them off for supine work. he uses rolled up towels for large chested men or women....he echoed what you said, melb, the only thing that might be useful was tilting a bit down while prone.i had decided on a width of 30", but the table i like the best so far, an oakworks, only comes 29 or 31"...so i am thinking i should get the 29" one. i am 5'6", but a gremlin resides in my lower back and it hurts to reach sometimes. my practice table is 32" and that is definitely too wide..i didnt look at the heights...as they were a range, but i will have to do make sure i look at that too..thanks again...you've all been so helpful, this is great!

 

[Flick]

Hi Palms Down, I'm new to this message board myself and find it the best yet.  If I may, I would like to suggest the Golden Ratio Master Body Worker Power Strut table for shiatsu work.  It is worth spending an extra $30 for the 33" wide version and it lays flat on the floor with a fine range of height adjustments for othe modalities of application.  You can see it at http://www.goldenratiowoodworks.com   My primary table is a 33" PowerStrut equipped with the Acoustical Touch System ($399 option) and ultraleather ($125, my package also included a 6" x 27" matching round bolster and the QuickTouch headrest system.  With the exception of the ultraleather, the whole thing cost $999.00 + shipping and that was a bargain for me, since some other manufacturers make acoustical tables beginning at $2995.00 and they aren't even portable nor do they have the ease of use.Good Luck!

 

[M.O.A.B]

arm rests/face cradles/cables

Arm rests at the head of the table that are under the face cradle are an option on many portables.  I don't recommend the use of them as they promote poor posture.  I have the clients arms beside them on the table, and often put a small bolster (rolled up hand towel) under each shoulder.

Face cradles are the best way to go, but it needs to be of good quality with good adjustments.  Both the angle and height are important.  Not many face cradles are interchangeable.  I find that Oakworks makes the best one that I've ever seen.

I agree with Jon, except I would replace the word Oakworks for Earthlite. I also want to point out; again, that 'comfortable' often promotes poor posture. IMO, arms on the table is ideal. I also often use rolled up towels under the front of the shoulders while the client is prone to encourage lateral rotation of the glenohumeral joint.