Starting a massage practice does not require much. In principle, with a portable massage table and a bottle of massage oil, you can work perfectly on location or at clients' homes. However, if you decide to open your own location and operate from a massage practice, you will need additional supplies. What exactly you need depends on the types of massages you offer. This guide discusses all the materials and items necessary or useful for your massage practice.
Table of Contents
- Massage Table
- Massage Table Accessories
- Knee Rolls for Massages
- Body Cushions for Massages
- Headrest or No Headrest for the Massage Table?
- Cart for the Massage Table
- Fitted Sheet for a Massage Table
- Face Covers and Other Disposables
- Oil, Lotion, Cream
- Hot Stone Sets, Cupping, Herbal Stamps
- Hot Stone Set for Hot Stone Massages
- Cups for Cupping Massage
- Herbal Stamps for Herbal Stamp Massages
- Massage Towels and Compress Towels
- Massage Towels
- Compress Towels
- Towel Warmer
- Work Cart
- Massage Stool
- Anatomical Models and Posters
1. Massage Table
Naturally, you cannot perform massages without a massage table. There are several factors to consider when purchasing one, such as: your own height. your budget, the types of treatments you will primarily perform and whether the table needs to be portable or will stay in a fixed location
It’s crucial to make a well-considered decision. Check out our step-by-step guide to selecting the perfect massage table.
2. Massage Table Accessories
If you want to approach massage professionally, you cannot avoid buying additional accessories for your massage table. By using the right accessories, you significantly increase the comfort of your client. Additionally, using the right disposables is also important for hygiene during your treatments.
Knee Rolls for Massages
A knee roll, foot roll, or bolster cushion helps to improve the way your client is lying. By using a bolster cushion, the client is more comfortable on the massage table, while you can better reach certain muscle groups for massaging. In short: a win-win situation. Read here everything you need to know about using a knee roll.
Body Cushions for Massages
If you often treat heavier clients or pregnant women, you are probably familiar with this: it is often more difficult for the client to find a comfortable position. With the body cushion treatment cushions, you place the client in a good, comfortable position and ensure that you, as a massage therapist, can massage the client more easily.
The cushions are lightweight and easy to carry with a carrying bag. This carrying bag is included as standard with the body cushions in our range. View all our body cushions here.
Headrest or No Headrest?
Almost everyone finds it more comfortable to lie on a massage table with a separate headrest rather than placing their face in a cutout. The price of a headrest has dropped significantly in the last 10 years. Previously, you had to pay at least €100 for a quality headrest, whereas today, they are available for €35.
Although almost all massage tables have a cutout, not all massage tables come with a separate headrest as standard. On the one hand, this is unfortunate, as a headrest has many advantages over a cutout.
Many headrests come with an arm shelf as standard, which has even more benefits. Below are all the advantages of a separate headrest with an arm shelf at a glance:
- It extends your massage table – With a headrest, your massage table is much longer. You extend it by about 20 to 30 cm.
- It is less claustrophobic – Some clients find a cutout a bit claustrophobic because their head is completely surrounded by the massage table. With a headrest, this is much less the case.
- A headrest is softer – A cutout in the massage table can feel hard, especially with firmer massage tables. A headrest is nice and soft and therefore comfortable for your client.
- Easier to keep clean – You can put a headrest cover around a headrest. This completely encloses the headrest. A cutout in the table can be covered with a fitted sheet with a cutout or face covers, but in many cases, the client’s face still touches the inside of the cutout in the massage table.
- You can better treat certain muscle groups – Using a headrest with an arm shelf changes the client’s position. There are often different ways to attach the arm shelf. The height and tilt of the headrest can usually be adjusted. This way, you can allow your client to assume the most ideal position where the muscles to be massaged are relaxed and easily accessible.
- The massage table becomes wider at the top – With the use of a headrest and arm shelf, the massage table becomes wider. This allows the client to place their arms in different positions.
Cart for the Massage Table
If you want a sturdy and stable massage table, this often comes with extra weight. If you work a lot on location, carrying a massage table can take a toll on your back. Using a massage table cart can certainly help with this. There are also carrying bags for a massage table with wheels, making it easy to transport your massage table.
Fitted Sheet for a Massage Table
If you want to run your massage practice professionally, good hygiene is essential. Of course, you can regularly disinfect and clean the massage table. However, using a fitted sheet for a massage table is even more important. Not only does it create a clean feeling for your clients and yourself, but it also helps extend the lifespan of your massage table! View all our fitted sheets here.
Face Covers and Other Disposables
In addition to using a fitted sheet, using the right disposables can also help improve your practice’s hygiene. For example, using a face cover for the cutout in a massage table is highly recommended. The great advantage of disposables is that you do not have to wash them but can simply throw them away after use. This way, you save a lot of your valuable time as a massage therapist! View all our massage table disposables here.
3. Oil, Lotion, and Cream for Massages
Using oil, lotion, and cream for certain massages ensures less friction on the skin. But there are more benefits. A pleasant scent can enhance the massage and strengthen its effects. It is helpful to have various types of oils, lotions, and creams available so the client can choose for themselves. Also, consider scents that have a proven calming effect, such as cinnamon, lavender, jasmine, chamomile, and ylang-ylang.
When buying massage oil, there are a few things to pay extra attention to:
- The oil should absorb well into the skin – You want to prevent the client from still having a greasy layer on their skin when they put their clothes back on. On the other hand, you also don’t want an oil that absorbs too quickly, requiring frequent reapplication during the massage. You need to find the right balance so that as a massage therapist, you can still feel some friction.
- Choose natural ingredients – Try to avoid massage oil that contains paraffin and petroleum jelly. These are oils that are not well absorbed by the skin. Also, check whether synthetic dyes, preservatives, or other chemicals are used. These ingredients increase the risk of allergic reactions and are not good for the environment.
- The oil should have a pleasant scent – This is tricky because it is largely a matter of personal preference. Make sure you have different options so the client can always choose what they like. Most people prefer a scent that is not too overpowering. This is also pleasant for you as a massage therapist, as you won’t be overwhelmed by different scents at the end of your workday.
View our natural massage oils here.
4. Hot Stone Sets, Cupping, Herbal Stamps
If you want to perform certain types of treatments, you will need to purchase additional materials. For example, a hot stone massage requires massage stones or hot stones. A hot stone heater is also recommended.
Hot Stone Set for Hot Stone Massages
For performing a hot stone massage, two things are essential:
- A hot stone heater to warm the massage stones.
- The massage stones themselves.
When purchasing a hot stone set, it is important to first determine how many and what type of massage stones or chakra stones you will need.
Once you know this, you can look for the right hot stone heater. Ideally, you should be able to heat all your massage stones at once with the hot stone heater. If you choose a set of 60 massage stones, a 6-liter heater will not be sufficient. On the other hand, for a set of 22 massage stones, you don’t need an 18-liter heater. In that case, a 6-liter heater will suffice.
View our hot stone sets here.
Cups for Cupping Massage
A cupping massage is a treatment where you use cups. These cups, which are made of glass, hard plastic, or silicone, are necessary if you want to perform a cupping massage.
In general, there are seven things to consider when buying cupping cups:
- The number of cups – Which body parts do you want to perform cupping massages on? If you want to massage the back with cupping, you will need more cups than if you only want to massage part of the legs.
- The size of the cups – It is helpful to choose a set with different sizes of cups. This way, you have more flexibility and can treat different parts of the body.
- Facial treatment or not – Do you also want to perform cupping massages on the face? In that case, there are special cupping sets designed for facial treatments.
- Carrying case – If you frequently work on location, it is important that you can transport the cups easily. If this applies to you, definitely choose a set that comes with a carrying case. Silicone cups are the best option in this case, as they are less likely to break.
- Price – There are significant price differences between various cupping cups. A simple silicone cupping set is available for €20 to €60.
View our cupping cups here.
Herbal Stamps for Herbal Stamp Massages
Although you can make your own herbal stamps, you can also buy them pre-made. In general, Thai herbal stamps are the standard. These contain herbs that are beneficial for the face, muscles, and other body parts.
When looking for herbal stamps, check whether they contain any of the following ingredients: plai, cassumunar, ginger, lemongrass, kaffir lime, calamus, turmeric, and tamarind leaves. If one of these ingredients is missing, it does not mean they are not good, but for a quality herbal stamp, you should have at least some of these ingredients (especially plai).
View our Thai herbal stamps here.
5. Massage Towels and Compress Towels
The use of towels during a massage is indispensable. A towel can be used to remove excess massage oil or lotion from the client after the massage. Towels can also be used to keep the client’s body parts warm that are not being massaged.
Massage Towels
When purchasing massage towels, you should consider the size of the towels. Choose a minimum size of 50 x 100 cm for the comfort of your clients. Choose a towel made of 100% cotton for optimal comfort. It is also important that the towels can withstand oil well.
There are also disposable towels available that are fully biodegradable. This saves you a lot of laundry and is highly hygienic without placing an additional burden on nature.
Compress Towels
A compress towel is indispensable for every massage practice or beauty salon. These towels are usually no larger than 30 x 50 cm, making them ideal for using warm compresses to conclude a facial or shoulder massage. You can also use compress towels for drying hands or as a headrest during a massage.
Towel Warmer
A towel warmer is a luxurious addition to any beauty salon or spa. It allows you to quickly warm towels and compress towels to a comfortable temperature in a professional manner. A towel warmer is not a necessity, but it is a great way to pamper your clients with a warm towel before or after a massage.
6. Work Cart
Maybe we don’t even need to mention it specifically, but if you are purchasing all the massage supplies listed above, it is also useful to have a place where you can store them easily. The items should be neatly arranged so that they look tidy for your clients while remaining within reach. A work cart or mobile storage unit is a good solution for this.
7. Massage Stool
If you perform a lot of facial treatments or foot reflexology, a good saddle stool is essential. This allows you to perform the treatment while sitting. Not only does this enable you to treat the client better, but it also helps prevent back problems for yourself.
To buy the right saddle stool, there are a few things to consider:
- Height – If you buy a saddle stool, it is important that you can use it at the correct height. Do you have, for example, a higher treatment table or treatment chair? Then choose a higher saddle stool so you can reach your client properly. Also, consider your own height. Our saddle stools are mostly adjustable between 40 and 60 cm (which matches the working height of our massage tables). However, you may need a higher saddle stool adjustable up to 80 cm.
- With or without a tilt mechanism – A tilt mechanism allows the seat to be tilted, making it easier to find a comfortable sitting posture. It also promotes movement while sitting.
- Foldable or not – Do you often work on location? Then a foldable massage stool might be more convenient. The downside, however, is that foldable stools often do not have wheels, making them less mobile.
- Base cross diameter – The diameter of the stool’s base is an important factor. A large base cross makes the stool more stable, but it may bump into the massage table more easily, which can be annoying. On the other hand, a smaller base cross makes the stool less stable. If you work on carpet, for instance, the wheels may get stuck more easily, causing the stool to tilt.
- With or without a backrest – A backrest for your massage stool is largely a matter of personal preference. Some backrests are integrated into the seat, while others are separate. The latter type is usually height-adjustable and tiltable.
- A narrow backrest provides more freedom of movement but only supports the middle of the lower back.
- A wide backrest gives slightly less room to move but provides full lower back support.
View our massage stools here.
8. Anatomical Models and Posters
Finally, you can also consider anatomical models and posters. With the help of these items, you can demonstrate more expertise in your field and explain things to clients more easily.
For example:
- Having an anatomical model of a foot can be useful if you provide foot massages.
- A spinal column model can be beneficial for physiotherapists or for explaining the cause of back pain.
Hopefully, this list of essentials has given you a better understanding of the items needed to start your massage practice. Not everyone needs all the items listed. Think about which supplies are necessary or useful for you and your clients. This way, you can get the most out of your massage practice!
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