Massage table - types of designs, making it yourself

Design Features

It is quite possible to make a massage table with your own hands; it is enough to have basic skills and abilities, and have a basic understanding of this device. The product is specialized furniture that resembles a couch. Used in massage or beauty salons.

A simple version of such a table is equipped with a hole for the face, which allows a person to breathe while lying on his stomach during massage or other manual procedures. In this case, the patient remains in the physiologically correct position.

The surface of the table is flat, a little hard, but with soft upholstery. This allows the client to relax, and the specialist has access to all parts of the patient’s body. At the same time, comfort is ensured.

A massage table with a movable headrest is used in beauty salons. It facilitates the work of a cosmetologist and improves the quality of SPA procedures. Additional adjustable surfaces allow you to massage in a semi-sitting position.

Varieties

The design of such furniture varies. Depending on the purpose of use, the following types of tables are distinguished:

The design often includes armrests, the height of which is adjusted after the patient is positioned on the table. To make it comfortable for a person to stand up, all moving parts are lowered. Said furniture often has several sections.

Stationary

Mobile

Folding

Couch

Video: DIY couch

For effective massage, knowledge and skillful hands alone are not enough. Much depends on the right massage table. An ordinary table or couch can of course be used for massage, but a specialized massage table is ideal for this. Many years of engineering work and serious clinical trials have made modern massage tables almost ideal:

• from an ergonomic point of view,
• achieving maximum relaxation in the person being massaged,
• the effect produced during the massage.

There are the following parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing a massage table.

Table elements

A standard massage table consists of a frame, tabletop, headrest, legs and additional elements.

The frame is made from:

• Become . Such models are very durable, durable and have a long service life.
• Trees. These models are environmentally friendly, reliable and stylish.
• Aluminum These are often portable models of massage tables due to the lightness of the frame. They are reliable, resistant to moisture and mechanical damage.

The standard tabletop has a rectangular shape with a possible narrowing in the middle. Massage tables can have up to three sections. The number of sections is selected based on the procedures and types of massage that will be performed on the table.

1. Single section massage table

A single-section massage table with a monolithic couch can be used for any type of massage. To increase operational capabilities, additional accessories are used. It has an increased load capacity of up to 2 tons. The section is height adjustable.

The two-section table has great functionality. You can massage it in any position - classic on the stomach, reclining, and even add a lymphatic drainage procedure. The first section is motionless. The second section is lifted manually, using a pneumatic spring or an electric motor. Useful for cosmetologists, osteopaths and spa specialists.

The most functional model of all. All three parts of the table can work independently of each other, rise or fall. On this massage table you can perform any procedures related to massage, cosmetology, reflexology, acupuncture and spinal stretching.

Headrests can be stationary or removable, which are attached on one side or at any end. They can have a standard or anatomical shape, which has small cutouts that allow you to rest your head so that your face does not touch the upholstery. When not needed, the cutouts are closed with special plugs. The cutouts are mainly used for collar massage, allowing the person being massaged to completely relax.

The number of legs varies from 4 to 8, where the first 4 are main, and the rest are auxiliary and are used for greater reliability.

Additional elements include:

• side armrests,
• hand shelves,
• U-shaped pillows for adjusting the position of the neck and shoulders,
• cushion for the back, neck, knees or feet,
• shelves for towels, sheets, oils and other massage accessories.

Dimensions

For a comfortable massage for people of different sizes, it is better to choose a wide table, but narrow enough for free access to any part of the body of the person being massaged. In order to choose a suitable massage table in size, you need to come very close to the table and turn around in the lumbar area. In this position, the massage therapist’s shoulders should be aligned parallel to the hips of the person being massaged, and the arms should be parallel to the spine.

Width

The most popular tables are 70 or 76 cm wide. Narrower models are suitable for short people who are uncomfortable working at a standard-sized massage table. An interesting version of the model, tapering in the middle in the shape of an hourglass. This design will allow you to approach the person being massaged from the side much closer and at the same time will not cause him discomfort due to the fairly wide ends of the table.

Length

The standard length of the massage table is 185 cm. Suitable for most people. Therefore, it is recommended for a beauty salon to use just such a table. Models with a special hole for the face extend the size of any table by 20 cm. Therefore, a standard massage table of this type will be 205 cm long.

What else is important to know about choosing the length of the massage table? A table that is too short will create discomfort for the person being massaged, but will allow you to save on the width of the table, which will be convenient for an energetic and active massage therapist. A table that is too long will only complicate the massage process.

Adjustable height

Most modern massage tables have height adjustment. For comfortable work, it is better to choose a table with adjustment within 60-80 cm. It is also important to pay attention to the time to adjust the desired height. This process should not exceed 3 minutes. There are 2 types of mechanisms for height adjustment:

• Telescopic leg adjustment system. It can be found in aluminum massage tables. Externally, this mechanism is similar to the devices used in medical crutches. Changing the height with this mechanism is very simple, just press a special button and fix the table at the desired height.
• Screw-down buttons on legs. With this mechanism, setting the desired height takes a little longer than the previous one, but no more than two minutes. Depending on the price, a massage table can have either one or 2 buttons, which must first be unscrewed to set the desired height, and then screwed in to secure the height.

Weight

It is best to choose the weight of the massage table based on its future use. It is better for a massage therapist to go for a massage session together with his table based on a weight of 10 to 20 kg. It is also desirable that the table design be foldable for more convenient transportation. Such models are more expensive than regular wooden tables because they are made of aluminum. If the table is too heavy for the user, you can use a special stroller for transportation. If the table is not planned to be carried and transported, then the weight of the table does not play a special role.

Payload

The weight that the massage table can support on the surface and on individual parts must be selected several times over. The maximum weight of the massaged person combined with the efforts of the massage therapist should not exceed 1/3 of the payload value. Otherwise, quick breakdown of the table is guaranteed.

Filler thickness

The thicker the filler, the longer the massage table will last and will not become thinner over time. This indicator also affects the level of comfort of the person being massaged during the massage. Polyurethane, foam rubber or a mixed type with a thickness of 5-7 cm is used as filler. Any option must be durable and have good shock-absorbing properties.

Upholstery of a massage table

Today, upholstery does not play a role when choosing a massage table. Many people prefer to use separate, replaceable covers that can be easily removed and washed. Typically, the upholstery for a massage table is made of artificial leather:

1. Vinyl upholstery.

A very popular and frequently used synthetic leatherette. In terms of its qualities, it is strong, durable, resistant to water and oils. Its main disadvantage is that it wears out quickly with frequent use.

2. Polyurethane upholstery.

In terms of characteristics and properties, it is more similar to real leather than other synthetic materials. It feels soft and pleasant to the touch. The quality is very durable. The downside is low resistance to water and oils, which, if they get on the upholstery, will quickly damage it.

3. Arpatek.

This is premium material. Used for upholstery of expensive models. Very hygienic. Just like natural leather, it cannot accumulate pathogenic surfaces on its surface, because... the structure of the material is not porous and has no microcracks.

The basic requirements for coating materials are that they must be:

• durable,
• resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage,
• pleasant to the touch,
• beautiful,
• not requiring special care.

Drive unit

The presence of a pneumatic spring or hydraulic drive will simplify setting up the table and help you change the height of the table directly during the massage, which will increase the wear life of the legs. When choosing a massage table, it is important to consider that an electric motor increases the cost of the table by 50%.

Cable system

It is recommended to choose portable massage tables with this system, which is also known as a tensor cable system. It is needed to give greater stability and reliability to folding massage tables, fixing the legs and preventing possible movement of the table forward or backward.

Guarantee

When purchasing a massage table, make sure you get a branded warranty

for a period
of at least 1 year
.
Some manufacturers provide a warranty of up to 36 months
.

It is important to know that massage tables, as a rule, are not subject to exchange or return. An exchange of a model or a refund of money paid is possible only within 14 days from the date of purchase of the product and only if the examination proves that the manufacturer or seller is to blame for the defects.

Features of choosing a folding portable table

The portable table is intended for visiting specialists (massage therapists, cosmetologists, chiropractors, osteopaths, hair removal specialists), because an unprofessional surface is contraindicated for massage. Not only will the massage be ineffective, but problems with the spine and lower back of the person being massaged may also arise. Portable tables fold into a suitcase, are conveniently carried and placed in the trunk of a car.

When choosing a folding table, you need to make sure:

• that it simply unfolds into a working position;
• stable, motionless and reliable in the open position;
• withstands the necessary load (weight of the person being massaged and the massage therapist);
• easily adjustable in height from 65 to 90 cm
  ;
• width is
  at least
  60 cm
  .
  and no more than 70 cm
  .
• height
  is
  180-190 cm
  .
• easy to transport.

Weight

Folding table weight

should not exceed
15 kg
. The weight of a folding massage table depends on the material from which it is made:

• The carbon fiber table weighs about 7 kg
  .
• The duralumin table weighs about 10 kg
  .
• The steel table weighs about 20 kg
  .

Additional accessories

Depending on the configuration, the folding table may have additional accessories:

• headrest (should be easily attached to the table and the angle of inclination can be adjusted);
• armrests;
• roller;
• face holes;
• protective caps on the legs (to prevent possible damage to the floor covering).

Sections in folding massage tables

For portable

massage tables can have no more than two sections:
main
and
lifting
. The table folding parts and accessories are not sections.

Which massage table is better? Only a massage specialist or researchers at the rehabilitation center for exercise therapy and massage can answer this question correctly.

Elena, massage therapist at the Valeria center. Work experience 15 years.

“A professional massage table should be convenient not only for the specialist, but also for the client, so you need to have a good understanding of what types of massage will be practiced and the needs of the client: type of massage (children, adults, etc.), diseases, duration of the procedure. The first thing you need to pay attention to is:

• Strength and stability of the structure (portable tables are convenient, but their weight should not be too light);
• Weight and dimensions (it is important to understand whether the table will move and move, the optimal weight is 13-15 kg);
• Comfortable rest for the arms (the armrests should be rotated and moved forward of the table - it is the armrests that create the image and feeling of comfort)
• Unimportant parameters: table bendability (it’s easier to use bolsters and pillows)”;
• Type of massage (for classic massage, 1-2 section massage couches with a medium-hard surface are suitable).

Manufacturing materials

The table frame is made of wood and also metal. In the second case, steel or aluminum is used. In some models these materials are combined. Aluminum reduces the weight of the table, making it durable and reliable. A wooden frame is used in the manufacture of stationary models. It fits well into a classic interior. Regardless of the frame material, its height is adjustable.

The tabletop can consist of several sections or be monolithic. The patient directly sits on this part, so it should be moderately rigid. Faux leather is used for upholstery. It cleans well and does not leave stains from oils and creams. Genuine leather is rarely used due to its high cost.

Vinyl is resistant to moisture and oils, but with high levels of use it wears out quickly. Arpatek is considered a premium material. It is hygienic and does not contain cracks or pores.

Polyurethane or foam rubber is used as filler. Its optimal thickness is 4 cm. Foam rubber is soft and more comfortable, but with intensive use it becomes deformed and loses its qualities. Polyurethane does not wrinkle and lasts a long time.

Wooden frame

Metal

Vinyl

Arpatek

Polyurethane

Foam rubber

How to organize work correctly?

So, have you decided to make your own massage table from wood? The drawings are already ready and you are full of strength and energy, which means it’s time to start organizing the process.

Important! It may seem to you at first that you have chosen an overly complex design model, but in reality they are all simple, and most importantly, reliable, fold up in no time and fit in any trunk.

Materials and tools

To begin, we will prepare the following tools and materials (their dimensions must correspond to the dimensions indicated in the drawing):

• Sanded plywood - 2 sheets.
• Beam for making legs.
• Foam rubber – 2 sheets.
• A piece of artificial leather in a beautiful color.
• Piano hinges – 14 pieces.
• Sandpaper.
• Screws 15 millimeters long.
• Clasps and handle.
• Self-tapping screws 20.35 and 45 millimeters long.
• PVA glue.
• Hacksaw.
• Circular saw equipped with an inclined blade.
• Screwdriver.
• Drill with a set of drills.
• Paper cutter.
• Chisel and hammer.
• Carpenter's fine-toothed hacksaw.
• Ruler, tape measure, pencil and square.
• Electric jigsaw.
• Staples and mechanical stapler.

Product requirements

Massage equipment must meet certain requirements. It is made from durable and environmentally friendly materials. In addition, the table must have the following characteristics:

1. Maximum comfort for both the patient and the massage therapist.
2. Load capacity. A good product should withstand at least 200 kg.
3. If the structure turns out to be heavy, then wheels can be screwed to it to make it easier to move.
4. Dimensions. The finished device must accommodate an adult patient of any size.
5. Strength. The table must withstand frequent, intense use.
6. Sustainability. Whatever the base, the furniture must stand level on it so that there is no risk of the structure overturning.
7. The ability of a specialist to gain access to the necessary areas of the body.

The product must be ergonomic. It’s good if the table has additional devices that increase comfort. Do not forget about the quality of the filler and the ability to adjust the height of the structure.

Maximum comfort

Load capacity

Strength

Dimensions

Dimensions and drawings

It’s not difficult to make a massage table with your own hands; you just need to decide on the size of the device and its design. Naturally, the parameters can be adjusted. Standard indicators:

1. Width. It can fluctuate between 50-80 cm. If the tabletop is too narrow, it will be uncomfortable for the patient, who may relax and fall. If the width is too large, the massage therapist will get tired faster. The optimal indicator is 70-76 cm. If the product is narrow, then it is additionally equipped with armrests.
2. Length. The size ranges from 184-200 cm. The optimal figure is 185 cm. A person should fit on the table at full height so that the legs or head do not hang over the edge.
3. Height. The optimal value in this case is 55-85 cm. Each massage therapist can adjust this parameter to suit their needs.

Making a table yourself will cost less than purchasing it from a specialized store. But before you start assembling, you need to draw a layout and drawing. It indicates all the details and their dimensions in millimeters. Fastening elements must be drawn. Ready-made drawings can be found in the public domain and, if necessary, adapted to your needs.

Making a massage table. Step-by-step instruction

1. Assembling the tabletop

We begin work on creating a massage table with the tabletops. From plywood we cut out two identical ones measuring 600x900 mm. In one of them, using a jigsaw, we cut out a piece of plywood so that we get an oval-shaped hole measuring 180x120 mm.

Drawings for making a massage table top

Next we move on to assembling the frame. The frames must exactly match the size of the plywood. You need to connect the beams together with self-tapping screws (45 mm), having previously drilled holes for them. This action will protect the timber from cracking. We screw the plywood to the frame with 20 mm long screws.

For convenience, we cover the resulting parts with foam rubber and the fabric chosen for this. You should start with foam rubber. Having cut out the necessary pieces to the size of the plywood, we fix it with glue on the tabletop. If part of the foam protrudes somewhere, it should be cut off using a stationery knife. We upholster the resulting workpiece with leather or its substitute using a stapler. You should start with the long sides, then move on to the short ones, keeping a distance of 10 cm between the staples. On each tabletop, on the short part, the fabric should be secured to the side, and not under the tabletop. This is where the hinges will be attached.

Master class on self-production

Before making a massage table, you should prepare everything you need. To draw a drawing and measure parts, you need a pencil, tape measure and square. Depending on the material of manufacture, the following tools are also needed:

• wood saw or hacksaw;
• drill, screwdriver;
• knife, chisel, hammer;
• screwdrivers;
• fastening elements: staples, screws, bolts;
• mallet.

You will also need artificial leather and stuffing material. If the product will be used at home and not very intensively, then you can use foam rubber. Some models also use PVA wood glue.

Made of wood

For work you need plywood with a thickness of 0.9 cm and dimensions 60 x 90 cm - 2 sheets, a wooden beam (2 x 5 cm) - 18 m, artificial leather - 110 x 210 cm. You also need to purchase 14 loops 1.8 x 5 cm The manufacturing process includes the following stages:

1. Creating a tabletop. At this stage, an oval hole measuring 18 x 12 cm is prepared for the face.
2. Frame assembly. The dimensions of the frame and tabletop must match exactly. To connect the timber, self-tapping screws 4.5 cm long are used. Holes are pre-drilled for them. The tabletop is also fixed to the frame with self-tapping screws.
3. Fastening the padding and covering the frame. The foam rubber is fixed using wood glue. The protruding parts are cut off with a stationery knife. The upholstery is attached using a construction stapler. The step between staples is 10 cm.
4. Making legs. To do this, you will need 2 x 5 cm bars with a length of 85.5 cm. They are screwed to the frame and additionally secured with spacers at the bottom. You will need 2 of these designs.

If necessary, additional spacers along the length of the table can be fixed on the legs, which will make it more stable. The last step is finishing the structure: every visible wooden element should be varnished or painted. They should not have burrs.

Creating a tabletop

Making legs

Frame assembly

Installing an additional spacer

Fastening the padding and covering the frame

Made of metal

Metal models are also not considered difficult to make yourself. You will need a steel or aluminum pipe of square or rectangular cross-section. Welding or screws (bolts and nuts) can be used for connection. You need to twist aluminum. The metal frame is cleaned, sanded and painted before the tabletop is attached. The work includes the following stages:

1. Making the frame. The size of the metal profile depends on the dimensions of the tabletop: it should extend 5-10 cm beyond the supporting structure. The cross-section of the pipe is 2 x 4 cm. The frame requires 4 pieces, 2 of which are short and 2 are long. You also need a long cross member, which serves as a stiffening rib for the structure.
2. Fixation of legs. They are installed strictly perpendicular to the frame in its corners. If it is necessary to adjust the height, holes are drilled on the legs, and then small pieces of metal profiles with the same holes are attached to them. The step between them is 1.5-2 cm.
3. Tabletop installation. It can be wooden or metal. At this stage, the filling is laid and the upholstery is fixed.

Angles and self-tapping screws are used to secure the tabletop. The metal upper part can be attached by welding, this product will be more durable. All connections are cleaned and painted.

Frame making

Fixation of legs

Installation of the cross member

Tabletop installation

Folding massage furniture

Making a folding massage table with your own hands is a little more difficult. The top part is made of plywood. You need 2 pieces of material, 60 x 90 cm each. An oval for the face is immediately cut out in one of the parts. A frame is made from bars for each piece of plywood. The parts are fastened with nails or self-tapping screws. Next, the plywood is covered with foam rubber, the excess parts of which are cut off. Now the tabletops need to be covered with upholstery material.

Use a wide ribbon to create a hole for the face. Both halves need to be connected to each other using piano hinges. The manufacture of supports involves the following actions:

1. Cutting beams with a cross-section of 2-5 cm - 12 pieces (2 identical sets).
2. Connecting workpieces. Self-tapping screws are used here. The edges of long elements are cut at an angle of 45 degrees. The parts need to be fixed “halfway” using self-tapping screws, cutting off the edges of the supports at an angle of 30 degrees. The resulting fragments are connected with loops and fasteners. It must be taken into account that when folding, the structural parts should not interfere with each other.
3. Table assembly. Places for hinges are marked on the back of the frames. To attach the tabletop and supporting elements, you will need piano hinges (4 pieces). They also secure the spacers on both crossbars.

Before completing work, folding elements must be checked for stability and ease of transformation. Additionally, the product is equipped with a handle and clasp for easy carrying. Even an inexperienced master can make such a massage table if he follows the technology for performing the work.

Cutting beams

Joining workpieces

Table assembly

Add a handle and clasp for easy portability

Check the ease of transformation and stability of the structure

Ready table

Choosing the design and construction of a collapsible table

DIY blue stationary massage table

Beautiful and calm room design for a relaxing and therapeutic massage

The massage table must be strong, comfortable and withstand a weight of at least 250 kilograms. The patient's weight can vary greatly, and massage therapists must exert great effort while working. A weak structure quickly crumbles. The convenience of the table greatly affects the work of the massage therapist and the effect of the service provided.

Sturdy and reliable stationary massage table

In an uncomfortable chair, the patient cannot relax, reducing the procedures performed to zero. Due to health problems, a person cannot always turn his head; a neckline for such a patient will be a salvation. As well as for women who want to maintain their makeup.

Comfortable couch with cutout for face for massage room

Massage tables are divided into stationary and folding. Stationary ones are more convenient to use, but take up more space. Their use is relevant in massage rooms and large salons. Therefore, if you plan to use it at home or for outdoor sessions, a folding table will be more convenient. The frame can be made of metal or wood.

Bright massage table on a metal frame

A wooden frame is stronger than a metal one, and can be made at home. You should not choose very bright and dark colors. It is better to choose a shade that helps the patient relax.

Stationary massage table with legs that allow you to adjust the height and with an inclined section for different types of massage

• carpentry hacksaw;
• drill;
• stationery knife;
• tape measure (2 m is enough);
• jigsaw with variable cutting angle;
• screwdriver;
• pencil;
• square;
• stapler

Tools for making a couch with your own hands

To work you will need:

• 2 sheets of plywood 9 mm thick, size 600x900 mm;
• 18 m of timber measuring 20x50 mm;
• tabletop upholstery material 1100x2100 mm (preferably leather or substitute);
• 14 loops 18x50 mm;
• handle, clasp (optional);
• staples for a stapler;
• glue;
• self-tapping screws