Massage Your Mind Blog

If you are thinking about buying an electric massage table, do remember that some tables are flat, just like a traditional massage table, where the whole table lifts up in one piece.

But others have the additional flexibility of moving in sections, so that you can position the client even more precisely.

Our last electric table had three sections that moved independently, which was really nice.

But the massage table that we really liked this time around (as it matched all of our other criteria) only came with two options. We could get it flat, or with a tilt option.

We didn't know if we would use the tilt feature that much, but as the difference in price was minimal (all things considered) we chose the tilt option as it allowed us to position the client anywhere from slightly elevated to a full seated position.

As it turns out, I'm so glad we made that choice because we use the tilt feature quite a lot. It's especially great for when a client is congested, or is uncomfortable for any reason lying flat.

I'd highly recommend that you consider a similar option if you are going to invest in an electric table too.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 11:06 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

As with any massage table purchase, you'll want to consider the amount of leg room you prefer. For example, my husband does a lot of Cranial Sacral Therapy and energy work from a seated position. So leg room is an important consideration for him.

However, unlike portable massage tables, hydraulic or electric lift tables sometimes have the motor boxed in under the table in a way that reduces leg room considerably. We knew this would not work for us.

Other electric tables have legs that cross in a way that could also restrict your choice of positions when working on a client. For example, sitting at the side of the table could be a challenge.

So if leg room is a factor for you too, do choose your new electric table carefully.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 10:45 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Some electric lift massage tables come with hand controls, some with foot controls and some with the option of both.

When I was researching tables I didn't think I would use hand controls, so in the end I chose a table that shipped with one set of foot pedals. My last electric table had two sets of foot pedals, one for each end of the table (or each side if you prefer).

I decided to try it with just the one set, but I made sure before I bought my table that I could add an extra set later if I wanted to.

What I found was that I really missed the second set. The pedals somehow always ended on the other side of the table when I needed them.

So I ordered an extra set of foot controls (if you do this, don't forget the "splitter" that lets you plug both sets into the motor unit) and I am so glad I did.

I do recommend you get two sets of controls. When you are spending this much money anyway, it's well worth a bit extra to make your life so much easier.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 10:23 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Two other things to think about if you are shopping around for an electric lift massage table are the noise of the motor and the smoothness of the movement.

I have found that "silent" is a subjective term when it comes to a company describing its table. Of course, if you can try out a table before you buy it that is ideal.

If not, you can always go online and read some reviews of the table you are thinking about. I'm happy to say that our new table is virtually silent, which is really nice. Our old one sounded a bit like a locomotive was in the room.

Also check out how smoothly the table glides up and down, and how quickly or slowly it moves. Again, this may be something you have to do via online reviews.

With a good table you can hardly even tell (if at all) when the table is moving. My husband (also a massage therapist) and I had fun with this. We took turns lying on the table with our eyes closed while the other person adjusted the height. We found that neither of us could accurately determine when the table started moving, but there was a slight "settling" sensation when it came to rest. Not bad!

We also liked that our table moves very slowly and the control pedals are very precise.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 10:04 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

When thinking about buying any new massage table there are always many decisions to make. You'll want to consider things such as the table width and length, the thickness of the foam, the color and texture of the fabric, the weight capacity of the table, whether you want round or square corners, what brand you may have a preference for, and which optional accessories you may need.

However, there are additional considerations that are unique to buying an electric lift table. One of the first things you'll have to decide upon is how low to the ground and how high up you would like the table to go.

For my husband and I, it was more important for the type of work that we do that the table went as low to the floor as possible. It mattered less how high, as long as it had about a 12 inch height range (which is the difference between the lowest and the highest setting).

I found that some tables had more range of movement and some less, but 12 inches seems to be about average.

So think about your clients (do they need a lot of help getting on and off the table, in which case one that goes lower to the floor may be better) and the type of massage that you do (for example, if you do a lot of work standing, make sure you choose a table that lifts up high enough).

So be sure to look for a hydraulic table that meets your height requirements.

But that's just the first thing... more to come.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 9:34 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

It's been a long time since I had my massage practice in Kona, Hawaii and bought my first electric massage table (almost 20 years in fact!).

It was not the most comfortable table in the world, that's for sure. And it was clunky and noisy.

But my oh my... the convenience of being able to adjust the height and position with a touch of a button were well worth it.

One of its biggest drawbacks was its weight - it was HEAVY. So when I left the islands I sadly left it behind (much to the delight of the therapist who inherited it).

My somewhat mobile lifestyle made it impractical to replace it right away, but I missed it so much. Once you have experienced the delights of using an electric table, it's hard to go back.

When I finally went to replace my hydraulic table a couple of months ago, I was blown away with the selection now available. They've come a long way baby! They now come in a huge range of both price and features.

More about that later....

Meanwhile, if you have any comments about the pros and cons (yes there are a few) of using an electric table versus a portable one, do let me know. You can reach me at elizabeth @ massagebusinesscenter.com.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 6:09 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I'm shopping around for a new hydralic massage table. My husband and I had one in our practice in Hawaii and it made a HUGE difference in the wear and tear on our bodies. But that was some time ago and there are many more options now available.

We are looking for one that is quiet, and that has plenty of leg room at the head of the table.

If you have one that you just love (or don't like) please hit the comments link and tell me what you do or don't like about it.

Here are the ones we are looking at:

This one is an Oakworks ProLuxe Seville.

This is an Earthlite Everest Hydralic Electric Lift. We are leaning towards this one.

This is a Custom Craftworks Pedestal Lift.

Also, has anyone ever ordered anything from ComfortChannel.com
They seem to have good prices on massage tables and supplies.

Thanks for your feedback...

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:36 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Sometimes simply talking things out with a person who will listen without judging you or colluding with you is very helpful. This is particularly true when you are feeling stressed. It can help put things in perspective. However, do make sure the person you choose is compassionate, a good listener, as well as positive in their outlook towards life.

You may not want to discuss your stressful situation with someone who is really attached to their way of seeing things as they will probably give you a lecture. And we’ve all had plenty of those! Nor do you want to choose someone who is feeling overwhelmed and stressed themselves. Then you have a case of the blind leading the blind. Instead, choose someone who really cares for you and whose company you enjoy

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:13 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So this is a hard one for me as I am Ms Radical Self Reliance, the original Lone Ranger. But there are times when we just have to admit that we can't do it all by ourselves any longer. And the crazy thing is, we often have friends that are just itching to help if we would just give them half a chance.

A great way to start if you are also afflicted by the Lone Ranger Syndrome is to make a list of the people that could provide support for you in different ways. For example, I have friends and colleagues I can call when I am feeling low and need an energy boost. I have other family and friends I can count on when I just need nurturing and comforting. Then there are the BS detectors who I can rely on for clarification and even confrontation. When my ego feels I little bruised I know who to turn to for acknowledgment. And then there are the friends, colleagues and communities that provide me with spiritual inspiration.

All of those people form part of my support network, and I contribute to theirs. We have a willingness to help each other meet our needs. I feel comfortable sharing with them specific ways they can help me, and they do the same with me. So, who's in your support network?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 3:01 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Sometimes simply talking things out with a person who will listen without judging you or colluding with you is very helpful. This is particularly true when you are feeling stressed. It can help put things in perspective. However, do make sure the person you choose is compassionate, a good listener, as well as positive in their outlook towards life.

You may not want to discuss your stressful situation with someone who is really attached to their way of seeing things as they will probably give you a lecture. And we've all had plenty of those! Nor do you want to choose someone who is feeling overwhelmed and stressed themselves. Then you have a case of the blind leading the blind. Instead, choose someone who really cares for you and whose company you enjoy.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 5:59 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So your alarm didn’t go off, the kids fought all the way through breakfast, there was a traffic accident that caused you to get to work late, your clients were cranky, your answering service double booked you in the morning and you had a no-show in the afternoon, and then you got another decline from a client’s insurance company.

All in all it was one of THOSE days. Then, after work you had a family holiday gathering where one of your relatives really pushed your buttons. So what do you do? If possible, leave the situation, even if momentarily. Go outside and get some air. Take a walk and give your body a chance to burn off some of the adrenaline.

Breathe deeply. And find something to be grateful for.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:12 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So this is a hard one for me as I am Ms Radical Self Reliance, the original Lone Ranger. But there are times when we just have to admit that we can’t do it all by ourselves any longer. And the crazy thing is, we often have friends that are just itching to help if we would just give them half a chance.

A great way to start if you are also afflicted by the Lone Ranger Syndrome is to make a list of the people that could provide support for you in different ways. For example, I have friends and colleagues I can call when I am feeling low and need an energy boost. I have other family and friends I can count on when I just need nurturing and comforting. Then there are the BS detectors who I can rely on for clarification and even confrontation. When my ego feels I little bruised I know who to turn to for acknowledgment. And then there are the friends, colleagues and communities that provide me with spiritual inspiration.

All of those people form part of my support network, and I contribute to theirs. We have a willingness to help each other meet our needs. I feel comfortable sharing with them specific ways they can help me, and they do the same with me.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:11 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

All right, so it may seem like the end of the world when your computer crashes and you have not backed up any of your massage client files. Or you get 3 no-shows in a row and rent is due tomorrow. And that IS a drag. However, in all probability this is not a life or death situation. When something really, really gets to you, stop for a moment and think about how important the situation will seem in a week, a month, or even a year from now.

More often than not we automatically go into “panic mode” before we have stepped back and assessed the reality of the situation. In retrospect, it is usually not as bad as we thought. And if it is, by giving ourselves some perspective we are better equipped to deal with it. And remember, this too will pass. Most of the things we get worked up about in life are just not worth the price that we pay.

My “thing” was that every time I was about to leave on a trip (and I travel quite a lot) I would get all stressed out about things that HAD to be done before I left. It got ridiculous. Things that had been on my “to do” list for months and months suddenly seemed absolutely critical. And I would get all worked up trying to get everything finished.

Then one day a supportive friend began at the top of my list and asked me very bluntly what would happen if each item did not get done. I squirmed a bit and got rather defensive, and tried to explain the dire consequences of each unfinished task. But the more she turned up the heat, the more I realized how ridiculous it was, and we both ended up in floods of laughter.

And my new mantra became, “If it doesn’t get done…… so what!”. (Actually these are not the exact words that I used, but you get the idea.) It was very liberating.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:09 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

OK, OK, I can hear you. "Elizabeth, I'm already stressed out so why in the world would I want to add EXERCISE? All that huffing and puffing sounds stressful in and of itself." The reason is this: exercise is the number-one tension tamer. It releases endorphins, which shut down your body's stress response. These brain chemicals can also help you deal with depression if the short, dark days of winter happen to get to you.

So now I hear you complain about how exercise can make you feel tired… and it might for the first few days, but just imagine how CALM you will feel. And once you get into it you will be amazed at how much extra energy you actually have.

If you have gotten a bit of out the habit, here's a neat trick. Tell yourself that all you are going to put on your walking clothes and shoes, and just stand outside. THAT'S ALL! If you feel like walking you can, but it is not mandatory. The next day tell yourself that all that is required is to walk to the end of the driveway and back. Each day increase the amount that you commit to just a tad. And before you know it you will be back in the swing of things.

And while you are exercising be aware of what you are focusing on. Try not to ruminate or think about your problems but instead notice things around you (if you are outdoors in nature) or listen to uplifting music.

And remember, you cannot control the moods of your massage clients, co-workers, family or friends, but you can control your response to them. With exercise, you are more relaxed and are able to anticipate rather than merely react to issues.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:58 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Have you noticed that it is kind of hard to feel stressed or unhappy while you are laughing? So it may be a short-term fix, but sometimes a good belly laugh is enough to completely lift my spirits and make me feel better. At the very least it takes my mind off the stressful situation for a while. It also allows my body to create mood elevating chemicals which can do wonders on a dark, dreary winter night. I have also noticed that after a good laugh, I am actually able to think clearer too.

Last night I turned on the television and When Harry Met Sally was on. Now that movie has some funny scenes in it. (OK, so you know the one I mean. If you don’t you need to go and rent it.) Other funny favorites of mine are The Full Monty, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and My Cousin Vinny. What are some of yours?

Laughter IS great medicine. So rent a movie, invite some friends over…. and have fun!

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:08 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

OK, so it is the time of the year to eat, drink and be merry. And I am all for having a good time. But remember, what we eat and drink fuels our body - garbage in equals garbage out. True vitality has a direct correlation to the quality of foods and products that we choose to eat. And when we are under stress, our body is especially susceptible to bad food choices.

So during this holiday season take the time to listen to your body, be aware of what your body is telling you, and savor your food like you savor your life.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:06 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So, how are you going to find the time for all of those “selfish” acts? Lets start by getting rid of all those commitments you don't want. You know the ones I mean – when you heard the words “yes” coming out of your mouth, and inside were going YIKES! Those commitments.

Yup, we all have them. But some of us have more of them than others. And that can cause a LOT of stress. So let’s clean house this holiday season and start practicing saying “no”.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:04 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Last month (November) has been particularly stressful for me. I attended 3 conferences, the Women’s Power Summit and the Big Seminar (for internet marketing), both in LA, and Consulting Resource Group’s Train-The-Trainer in Vancouver BC. I’ll be sharing gems from those conferences with you later.

I am an avid learner, but even for me that was a lot. There were many long days and late nights. I was the networking queen and took full advantage of the chance to meet the many incredible people those conferences brought together.

In addition, being gone so much meant that I was always playing “catch-up” in the days that I was home.

By the end of it all my stress level was high and I felt pretty drained emotionally and physically. My friends are often pretty amazed at my seemingly boundless energy, but the Energizer Bunny I am not!

When it was all said and done, sleep became my best friend. I’ve never really been one for naps, but all of a sudden, to lie down in a quiet, darkened room and do NOTHING was the ultimate regenerator. Sometimes I dozed and sometimes I did not, but I always felt better afterwards and ready to face the world and my clients again with a stronger mind and body.

So if the stress of the season gets to you, learn from our children and take a nap. And yes, you can have cookies and milk too.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:03 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Life can be stressful at the best of times.

I don't know about you, but I am finding that personal and professional expectations and demands seem to be steadily increasing at an alarmingly rapid rate. Including (OK, ESPECIALLY) those I put on myself. Yikes!

And particularly as we approach the holiday season…

Holidays!! I do love the festivities, and getting together with family and friends. I enjoy the jovial atmosphere. The fun and sharing. The camaraderie.

But it seems like the pace of life this time of year gets a bit more frantic than I would like. In fact, I'll go and admit it…. Sometimes I just wish I could fast-forward straight to January and be done with it all. Bah humbug!

And it is especially challenging when we are looked to by our clients as a source of relaxation and calmness.

So in the midst all of the holiday "to dos" I think that it is important to take the time to create some balance and inner calmness. In the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing with you some time-tested ways of "chillin out" as well as a few of my own personal favorites. And I'd love to hear how other practitioners stay peaceful and nurture themselves during times of holiday stress.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 10:56 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday I had “one of those days”. The details are insignificant, but let’s just say I was a bit on the hyper side. So my sweet husband (who is also a LMT) announced that I needed to de-stress and he was going to give me a massage. While he was heating our home studio (it was a rather damp and chilly Pacific Northwest night) he ran a bath for me with wonderful relaxing essential oils. A soothing cocktail!

At first I protested as I had not finished an article I was working on for my newsletter, which was past due. But when he presented me with a glass of red wine and a novel (“The Red Tent by Anita Diamant) that I’d been wanting to read for some time, how could I resist?

I LOVE baths! The warm water is so very soothing and relaxing, not only to tight and tense muscles, but also to a stressed-out mind. Not to mention that it also helps circulation, which speeds up the process of getting rid of lactic acid, adrenaline and other stress chemicals in our bodies. But you already know that!

Anyway, after my long, luxurious bath I really did feel totally relaxed and de-stressed. Which is just as well, because when I got dried and went to find my husband he was sound asleep on the living room sofa. So much for my massage.

So next time you feel the need for a “time out” take a long warm bath. It can do wonders to melt away stress.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

This month has been particularly stressful for me. I attended 3 conferences, the Women's Power Summit and the Big Seminar (for internet marketing), both in LA, and Consulting Resource Group's Train-The-Trainer in Vancouver BC. I'll be sharing gems from those conferences with you later.

I am an avid learner, but even for me that was a lot. There were many long days and late nights. I was the networking queen and took full advantage of the chance to meet the many incredible people those conferences brought together.In addition, being gone so much meant that I was always playing "catch-up" in the days that I was home.

By the end of it all my stress level was high and I felt pretty drained emotionally and physically. My friends are often pretty amazed at my seemingly boundless energy, but the Energizer Bunny I am not!

When it was all said and done, sleep became my best friend. I've never really been one for naps, but all of a sudden, to lie down in a quiet, darkened room and do NOTHING was the ultimate regenerator. Sometimes I dozed and sometimes I did not, but I always felt better afterwards and ready to face the world and my clients again with a stronger mind and body.

So if the stress of the season gets to you, learn from our children and take a nap. And yes, you can have cookies and milk too.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:41 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)