Massage oil is a very personal and direct connection between the massage therapist and client. The right massage oil can make all the difference. Choosing massage oil can be as slippery as the oil itself. Sometimes it comes down to the personal preference or even a particular scent. The client is also an important factor. Their age and skin sensitivity may be factors. In a market full of products, which one is the best? The answer: there isn’t a best product or fool-proof solution, although there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the best massage oil.

Lotus Touch Massage Oil

1. Beware of Nut Allergies

Although nut-based massage oil continues to be a favorite of massage therapists, studies show that 1 percent of the American population has a nut-related allergy. Keep it on hand as an option, but always ask first!

2. Take Scent Seriously

Scent is a powerful tool. Scented oils are great because their smell is consistent from batch to batch. What is great about unscented oils is that there is freedom to add essential oils based on your clients’ preferences. Keep in mind that some aromatherapy oils may be contraindicated for your clients–know your essential oils before using them with clients.

3. Know Your Consistency

Glide is a popular term used to describe the consistency of massage oil. The amount of glide you want in a massage oil depends largely on the type of massage give. For deep, long strokes, more glide is best. For shorter, more intense work (like trigger point or deep tissue), less glide is better.

4. Choose Natural

With the popularity of natural products growing, more massage oil and lotion products are available without any parabens or chemical preservatives. Whenever possible, choose massage oils, lotions, and creams that are made with natural and organic ingredients. Your own skin and your clients’ skin will thank you.

5. Consider Shelf-Life

Buying in bulk saves money in the long run, as long as you use up the oil before it expires. Check the shelf-life of a massage oil before you purchase to make sure you can use all of it before it goes rancid. Also, consider using jojoba oil, which is actually a liquid wax esther and does not go rancid like other oils.

6. Try Before You Buy

Not sure if you’ll like using a certain massage oil? Ask for a sample or buy the smallest size before committing to a gallon jug of a massage oil that you’ve never used before. Let your clients know you’re trying out a new massage oil and ask for their opinion as well.

7. Choose Professional Grade

Professional grade products are the best choice when it comes to choosing a massage oil for your business. Your clients deserve high quality, professional massage oil–not a pseudo massage oil from Bath & Body Works or Walgreens.

8. Experiment

Have fun with massage oils! Don’t be afraid to experiment with scents, essential oils, and blends. Involve your clients in the process as well by using their favorite scents and asking for feedback.

Massage Oil

Looking for a massage oil that will enhance your clients’ experience and nourish their skin? OneTouch Massage offers a variety of Bon Vital and Lotus Touch massage oil products for personal use or bulk orders. Free shipping to any of the lower 48 states!

Research continues to provide evidence for how massage therapy reduces stress and keeps your body healthy. With the busy lifestyle most Americans adopt, setting aside time to get a massage is difficult, but with chair massage, the barrier is lower. Chair massage takes less time, doesn’t necessarily require an appointment, and is available in convenient locations, such as at the office or in the mall.

Chair massage can also be a great way to attract new clients to your business by giving them a taste of your healing touch. All it takes are your hands and a portable massage chair, with sessions lasting anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes. If you’re thinking about providing chair massage in a corporate setting or public location, here are a few tips to help you get started.

Networking

Tapping into your local network will be of great help if you decide to get started in mobile massage. Think of mobile massage as a form of advertising for a massage therapy session. Connect with your current clients and see if they can help with acquiring leads for companies or businesses that might be interested in mobile massage.

Supplies

At the most basic level, all you really need for mobile massage are your hands and a portable massage chair. But, there are a few other supplies we recommend keeping handy as well. Headrest covers, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, business cards, a tip jar, a music player, and a watch or timepiece are just a few extras that can make the experience more comfortable for your clients and and keep you organized when you’re massaging multiple clients in a row.

Cleanliness

In an environment where you’re constantly moving from client to client, keeping your portable massage chair clean and sanitized is important–both for your clients’ health and for their comfort level with getting on the chair and putting their face into the headrest where other faces have just been. Replace the headrest cover with a new one between clients, and clean the portable massage chair with a sanitizing spray between clients. Wipe the upholstery dry before the next client gets on the chair. If you’re providing chair massage in a location without soap and water nearby, bring hand sanitizer to use between clients.

Location and Environment

Finding the best place to set up your portable massage chair and provide chair massage is the key to a successful mobile massage business. One of the best places to provide chair massage is in a corporate setting, where you will be working with the same clients each week or month–and where those clients can refer you to their coworkers. Malls are also a popular place for chair massage, although you may need to pay for space to set up your massage chair. On-site events are another opportunity to find more clients for your massage therapy business. Trade shows, staff appreciation events, health fairs, and company picnics are great locations to  target for providing chair massage–with permission ahead of time, of course.

If possible, create an environment similar to your practice. Foster a calm, soothing, and peaceful environment with some relaxing music, soft lighting (if possible), and aromatherapy.

Portable Massage Chair Sale

Are you ready to take your massage services to your clients?  Choose a portable massage chair from OneTouch Massage, Earthlite, Stronglite, or NRG. We offer free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 states!

Massage therapy is a rewarding and fulfilling industry that provides relaxation amenities for our busy culture. Relaxation and peace surround every part of the process of massage therapy, and the first tangible interaction occurs between a client and the massage table sheets. Comfort is of utmost importance to the client, but you also need to consider price and length of use. There are thousands of different massage table sheets and we’ve broken it down to make your decision an easy one.

100% Cotton

Cotton remains the most popular material and can be low cost. The downside to cotton is that it can wear out quickly and can be difficult to clean. Strong detergents and bleach allows cotton to maintain its look, but it tends to wrinkle more than alternatives.

Cotton/Synthetic Blend

A mixture of cotton and polyester is not quite as pure as cotton, but will last longer than most cotton massage table sheets. Cotton/Synthetic is easier to clean and flattens out quite nicely.

Flannel

Flannel is said to be the most comfortable sheet there is. The weight of flannel determines how plush it feels. Flannel can be helpful for wicking away sweat and is very durable.

Bamboo/Soy/Hemp

Bamboo gives a silky, soft feel and is environmentally friendly. Soy massage table sheets provide a soft but strechy feel and are a sustainable crop form. Hemp is a bit more pricey because of its import, but can last longer than cotton while retaining its softness.

Bottom Line

You get what you pay for. Plain and simple. If you are able to afford high-quality cotton, you will have a product that performs time and time again and provides the pinnacle of pleasure. If you choose low quality polyester, you might be disappointed. You also need to consider your client base and what they expect from the massage therapy experience.

Massage Table Sheets

If you want the best for your clients and brands you can trust, look no further. OneTouch Massage can provide you with high quality massage table sheets at affordable pricing. OneTouch works to enable our clients to grow their practices by providing professional quality massage therapy equipment and accessories. OneTouch provides free shipping to the lower 48 states and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Yoga is continuing the transform the way we exercise. Yoga provides low impact exercise for your joints and muscles while increasing muscle tone and endurance. Even though yoga is often a group activity, you don’t need a fancy membership or the latest and greatest studio to exercise with yoga. You can learn it at home for half the cost and just as much fun.

The Basics

Although yoga began without any type of equipment, we recommend starting out with some beginners equipment in order to maximize your workout and keep from putting unnecessary stress on your muscles and joints.

Yoga Gentle Practice DVD

This beginners DVD demonstrates the proper techniques and positions for enhancing your yoga workout. Learning the poses on this DVD will help you become more flexible and limber.

Yoga Starter Kit with Mat & 65cm Ball

A starter kit is just what you need to start yoga at home. The yoga mat gives you a stable, sticky surface for proper technique and stability. The yoga ball will increase your core strength and help with muscle extension.

Things to Remember

• You are a student of yoga: Don’t be afraid to learn something new. Yoga at home starts with trying out different positions, modifying poses to suit your level of flexibility, and learning from your mistakes. Don’t be afraid to try new DVDs or learning programs. The important thing is to have fun with it!

• Practice makes perfect: With each session, you will become more balanced, toned, and focused. Don’t expect to get everything right when you start. Yoga takes dedication and patience. Doing yoga at home will allow you to accelerate your progress and work on each pose as long as you need, without trying to keep up with the “limber Lisa” next to you.

Yoga at Home

Ready to explore the world of Yoga? Get started with yoga at home with beginner accessories like a yoga mat, yoga ball, or other fitness accessories from OneTouch Massage. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.

Setting up your portable massage table is easy once you know how to do it. If you move your massage table often, such as for on-site appointments, you’ll quickly become familiar with how to set up and take down your table.

Learn how to set up a portable massage table.

Massage Table Setup Instructions

The first step in setting up your portable massage table is to unlock the latches at the end of the table. Place the table on its side; then reach down and undo the latches.

Open up the massage table so that the legs extend fully.

If your portable massage table has accessories stored underneath, you can remove the accessories at this point.

Next, grab the handles on the side of your massage table—or, if there are no handles, get a good grip on the side of the table—and lift the table until it’s upright on all four legs. Press down on the center of the table to make sure the legs and cables are firmly locked in place.

Massage Table Height Adjustment

Unless the massage table is already set at the correct height, you’ll need to adjust the table legs to the right height. This is an important step because it allows you to maintain proper body mechanics while giving massage.

To adjust the table height, unscrew the knob that holds one of the legs in place and adjust the leg to the correct hole for the height you need. Replace the knob so that the leg is securely held in place.

Repeat the process for the other legs. Adjust all four table legs to the same height. Count the number of holes to make sure each leg is properly adjusted.

Massage Table Accessories

Now it’s time to attach the massage table accessories. Insert the headrest attachment into the holes at the end of the table. Depending on the design of your headrest, you will need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to adjust the height and angle of the face cradle.

If your massage table comes with a forward arm rest or side arm extenders, you can attach these accessories as well. Accessories like these can help your clients feel more comfortable on the table.

Instructional Video

Portable Massage Tables

Take your massage skills anywhere with a portable massage table from OneTouch, Earthlite, Stronglite, or NRG. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.

If your clients come to you for pain relief—as many clients do—one way you can speed their healing and provide more relief is to apply moist heat therapy to the area that hurts. Not only is this a great way to provide pain relief while your clients are on the massage table, but it also gives the client a way to find relief between appointments by applying moist heat at home.

Moist heat therapy eases your clients' aches and pains.

Two of the most popular ways to apply moist heat during a massage session are to use a paraffin bath or a hot towel warmer with moist heated towels.

Paraffin Wax Treatment

By dipping your client’s hands or feet in a paraffin bath, you surround and insulate the muscles and tissues with moist heat. Unlike dry heat, which can dehydrate the skin, moist heat penetrates deeper into the body and is more effective at easing aches and pains.

To use a paraffin bath for multiple clients, apply the paraffin wax to the client’s body using a wax brush. This keeps the paraffin bath sanitary and prevents dead skin from getting into the wax bath. After applying the wax, use disposable liners and insulated mitts or booties to cover up the hands or feet and retain the heat for as long as possible.

Paraffin wax treatment is recommended for arthritis, sore joints, dry skin, and other aches and pains. This treatment is perfect for an add-on service without a lot of expense or extra work on your part.

Moist Heated Towels

Wrapping your client’s hands, feet, or neck in hot towels is another way to apply moist heat therapy. Besides reducing pain levels, a hot towel treatment helps your clients relax more deeply during the massage therapy session.

Use the hot towels to wrap your clients’ feet, hands, neck, back, or other body parts. Make sure you don’t leave the towels on long enough for them to get cold. Replace the towels with fresh hot towels as needed, and check the temperature of the towels before placing them on your clients’ skin, especially in areas sensitive to heat.

Use a towel warmer cabinet to keep your towels ready to use throughout the day. Just moisten the towels at the beginning of the day, roll them up and place them on the tray inside the warmer unit, and turn on the hot towel warmer. Use tongs to remove hot towels during the day as you need them. Then remove the unused towels at the end of the day, wipe out the interior of the warmer unit, and leave the door open to let it air out.

Towel Warmers & Paraffin Baths

Need a professional towel warmer or paraffin bath for your massage therapy business or spa? Check out our selection of quality, affordable hot towel cabis and paraffin wax supplies. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.

One of the biggest struggles in managing a business for most massage therapists is getting more clients. Once you’ve exhausted your circle of friends, family, and acquaintances, it’s time to branch out into reaching new clients who’ve never heard of you. Here are a few massage marketing ideas to get you started.

Give clients your full attention every time you see them.

1. Give your full attention to each client.

Effective massage marketing begins with each client’s individual experience. Are you fully present for each client? Do you listen to their needs and respond in a way that makes your clients feel heard and supported?

Look for ways that you can make clients feel special. Remember their birthdays with a card or small gift, offer them a snack and a glass of water after the massage, or add a free hot towel foot massage at the very end of the session. Clients who feel like they’ve received more than they paid for will be more likely to come back. Keeping current clients is much easier than attracting new clients.

2. Partner for referrals.

No doubt you will work with clients who have needs beyond your area of expertise. When it comes to protecting a client’s best interests, you may need to refer them to a physical therapist, acupuncturist, skin care professional, medical professional, or another CAM practitioner. These practitioners can also refer clients to you.

Get to know other business owners in noncompeting healthcare fields who you can feel confident referring your clients to and who can refer patients to you in return.

3. Get free publicity.

Getting featured in the local newspaper or TV station is a great way to get the word out about your business in a way that boosts your credibility by allowing someone else to tell your story for you.

Media coverage doesn’t happen without your efforts, but the results are often more than worth it. Start by brainstorming any newsworthy areas of your practice. Have you recently expanded or remodeled? Did you receive a special award or participate in a charity event by providing massage? Is there anything unique about your business or background that reporters can grab on to as a “hook” for an interesting story?

Submit your ideas to local newspapers, neighborhood media outlets, radio stations, and local television stations. Having inside contacts helps, but sharing a good story idea—where you’ve already done most of the grunt work for the reporter—is even more important.

4. Get online.

If your massage business doesn’t exist online and you need more clients, it’s time to join the digital age. Start with a basic website. If you’re a member of a professional massage organization, you may even be able to build a free website as part of your membership.

Another opportunity to promote your business online is to submit your information to local online search directories such as Yelp and Citysearch. When clients leave reviews on these sites, it will boost your credibility and attract new clients searching for a massage therapist online.

Help your clients relax with massage music.

Setting the mood for a relaxing massage means thinking about what your clients will hear as well as what they’ll feel. The right music for massage can be healing, help your clients (and you) enter a meditative state, and relax deeper on the table.

1. Choose a music genre.

The music you choose helps set the tone for a massage session. Choose a genre that matches your personal preferences, the type of massage you’re giving, and your clients’ preference. Keep several music styles on hand in case your clients have strong preferences about what they like to listen to while getting a massage.

Some of the most popular choices for massage music are nature sounds, New Age, classical, Native American music, meditation music, or acoustic tracks.

2. Give yourself variety.

Listening to the same massage music over and over again can get old—for you as well as for your clients. Keep things fresh by burning a new CD, compiling a new playlist, or switching up genres.

Ask your clients what they like to listen to during a massage, and then play it for them. You’ll get more variety, and your clients will love the personalized attention.

3. Think about timing.

The length of your music CDs or the order of songs on your iPod speaker can signal how much time you have left in the massage, when to move on to a different part of the body, and when you should start bringing the massage to a close.

If you burn your own massage music CDs, make sure the entire length of the CD fits the length of your sessions. Make several CDs for 30 minute, 60 minute, and 90 minute massages. You can also purchase massage music CDs with a predetermined length. If you use an MP3 player, you can set up playlists with different time lengths as well.

4. Get permission.

If you subscribe to a music streaming service, make sure you have the legal right to use the music for your business. Streaming music services such as Pandora usually state that you cannot play their music in a commercial setting. Pandora for Business, however, is a good alternative.

Music for Massage

Need a new massage music CD to spice up your routine? Check out our selection of massage music by Steven Halpern, including ocean sounds, nature sounds, and New Age tracks. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.