Height adjustabe vs fixed height?

Question 6 "Are there benefits in purchasing an adjustable height table over a fixed height table?"
Answer. A height adjustable portable table’s benefit over a fixed height portable table is in the value of the height adjustments to the practitioner using the table. There are many important considerations discussed below to assess the benefits and practicality of portable height adjustment for individual practitioners.
[Q6.2] Can the height, of an adjustable height table be adjusted to suit every practitioner?
 It is important that the benefits of an adjustable height portable table are not confused with the benefits of an electric power driven stationary table. An electrically operated table is infinitely adjustable and will therefore be precisely adjustable for each practitioner in a matter of seconds, even while the patient is still on the table. Most electric tables also have a broader adjustable height range, than portable tables - between 50cm and 95cm.
Some portable adjustable height tables have a very limited number of adjustment positions (usually four or five adjustments), none of which may be the ideal for a particular practitioner. Table height requirements can vary from 60 cm to 80 cm (some practitioners require tables outside this range). Just because it is an adjustable height table does not automatically mean it will suit you. If you are short in stature be sure the table will suit you at its lowest adjustment as you will not be able to adjust the table downwards to suit a thicker torso patient. Many cheap imported tables will not adjust below 70cm! Similarly a very tall practitioner may find the highest setting is not high enough, particularly for slim patients. Better designed tables generally have a wide range of adjustments to suit the majority of practitioners.
Take care when looking at the way different manufacturers specify the adjustment range of their portable tables. Some of them give a misleading picture by including as the lowest adjustment, the height with the adjustable section of the legs completely removed from the table. In practice it is unlikely any practitioner would ever use a table with the adjustable section of the legs removed. For one thing, the hollow upper section of the legs would dig into whatever surface the table is on with the weight of a patient on the table.
[Q6.3] How practical is changing the height of a portable adjustable height table?
The vast majority of practitioners who purchase a portable adjustable height table, rarely ever adjust the height after the table is initially set up (if they are the only person using the table). It is also completely impractical (and unsafe) to attempt to adjust a portable table after the patient has got on to the table (you can hardly ask them to get off during the treatment)!
The majority of problems associated with unusually sized patients are normally to do with very stout patients, (where the table height needs to be lowered, or the practitioner raised). This makes it difficult for the practitioner to get their body weight over the patient without straining their back. Often, such stout people, while very thick in the torso do not have extraordinarily thick arms or legs (consider the "beer gut" person). In this case if the table is lowered to accommodate the big torso, then it is far too low to work on the arms and legs without back discomfort.
Rather than adjust the height of the table for an unusually large patient a more practical approach may be to simply remove or put on shoes, depending on your normal working mode, or to use a "step up stool". This is a simple little wooden stool about 10 cm high that can be easily moved around a table with your foot. It provides the extra height and reach to comfortably treat a larger than average patient.

Other factors to consider:
[Q6.4] Weight. An adjustable height portable table will always be heavier than the equivalent fixed height portable table. An adjustable height table made from steel will weigh between three and six kilograms more than an aluminium-framed adjustable height table, or a timber-framed fixed height table. For portability a person of average stature should not consider a table that weighs more than 13 kg!
[Q6.5] Price. Adjustable height tables are always more expensive than their fixed height equivalents. This is because of the additional leg assembly with telescopic sections and specialised hardware items such as locking pins and cable construction. The more engineering that has gone in to the table design, the higher the price may be, but this is likely to be offset by a much easier table to use and one which is considerably lighter and stronger than other “cheap” adjustable height tables.
[Q6.6] Reliability, noise and stiffness. Again the higher the quality and the better the engineering, the less noise the table is likely to make. Inferior adjustable height tables may be reasonably quite in the beginning but after even moderate use they quickly deteriorate and metal-to-metal contacts e.g. strut locking pins, become a source of unbearable noise that will detract from your treatments. Conversely better quality adjustable tables will offer a lifetime of noiseless operation. Only very high quality, very stiff, portable adjustable height tables can stand up to the rigors of heavy duty modalities such as chiropractic, manipulative physiotherapy and deep tissue remedial massage. A “cheap” portable table should never even be considered for these modalities.
[Q6.7] When an adjustable height portable table is the right choice:
A. Where people of many different heights are going to use the same table.
Where a number of people of quite different heights/arm lengths are working on the one table, e.g. in a classroom situation or where two massage partners vary greatly in height.
If only two people are using the table and the difference in correct table height (see question 7) for the people using the table is less than 7 cm, then a single fixed height table (where the shorter/longer armed person wears shoes, and the other person is barefoot) may suffice. If this difference (in measured height requirement) is greater than 7 cm, then it is recommended that an adjustable height table be purchased (providing it can be adjusted to suit all practitioners).
B. Modalities that require different working heights. Where the one practitioner works in more than one modality, each of which requires quite different working heights, e.g. chiropractic and massage.
C. If you want to use the table flat on the floor say for Shiatsu. An adjustable 4-leg cable stayed table can easily be folded flat on the floor. In practice very few Shiatsu practitioners actually use a table in this way. Most Shiatsu practitioners work on a proper Shiatsu mat, which has a much bigger surface area than a portable table.
D. You are one of those practitioners who would always go to the trouble of adjusting the height of your table for different torso thickness patients.
E. You are considering the possibility of resale. A fixed height table is always harder to sell than an adjustable height table.
[Q6.8] FIXED HEIGHT PORTABLE TABLES
Can a fixed height table be suitable for my modality?
For the majority of modalities and you are the only person using the table the short answer is yes, keeping in mind the contra arguments outlined above. Refer to Question 7 for calculating the correct working height, or check the chart in Question 8 for an average measurement.
Importance of correct height.
Most people don’t realize just how important it is to get a table that suits their height and arm reach. This also applies to correctly setting an adjustable height table for your use. It can save back problems and strain to the arms, and help keep fatigue to a minimum. There is an optimum height, just as there is an optimum width, for your modality, and your physical characteristics.
There is nothing worse than having to use a table that is the wrong height. In the same spirit, avoid any table manufacturer who tries to tell you that "one size fits all," or anything along these lines. Also avoid any manufacturer who only offers a very limited height range in their fixed or adjustable height tables. Such manufacturers are not concerned with your comfort as a practitioner, but only with keeping their own costs to a minimum by offering a limited range.
If you cannot have a table that is exactly right for you, it is better for massage therapists to have a table that is slightly low, rather than slightly high. The reason for this is that you need to use your upper body weight in massage and you will strain your lower back if the table is too high. You can always place your feet further apart, or bend your knees more, and still get your body weight over the patient on a slightly low table. (For other modalities such as reiki, beauty therapy and energy work, that do not require downward pressure, the reverse may apply and it may be better to have a slightly tall table to reduce stooping).
There is a tendency for people newly involved with the massage profession to want to order set up a table that is too high for them. Do not fall into this trap or you will regret it very much even though you may get used to and feel comfortable with the “incorrect” height. If you are at all unsure, seek professional advice.
 [Q6.9] Summary
Carefully consider all the points in this discussion. If on balance an adjustable table is better for you, , then go with your instincts. As we have discussed there are certainly a multitude of circumstances when an adjustable height portable table makes sense but as we have explained in some circumstances a fixed height table may suit your needs.
Whichever table you decide on ensure that the manufacturer you purchase from offers the service of checking that the table being supplied will suit your height and modality. Reputable manufacturers will always offer this service.