Selecting the ideal table width

Question 8 "How do I know what width table is right for me?"
Answer. In selecting the correct table width there are three main issues you need to consider: patient comfort, practitioner working comfort, and ease of transportation. Table width in portable tables is a compromise between these sometimes conflicting requirements.
From the patient viewpoint the wider the table, generally the more comfortable it is. Most people who have had a massage have had the experience of lying on a narrow table and having to tuck their hands under their buttocks to avoid them slipping off the sides of the table.
From the practitioner viewpoint, the narrower the table, the easier it is to work on, (less bending is required to reach the centre of the table). A table that is too wide for you will give you a sore back from having to lean too far across a patient. A taller practitioner can manage a wider table without having to bend as much as a shorter practitioner on the same width table.
Table width and table size when folded are directly related. When folded, the table’s width is its height. The narrower the table therefore the easier (and lighter), it is to carry.

A B C
A. Carrying a 61cm wide table
B. Carrying a 71cm wide table
C. Different width tables folded (61, 66, and 71cm)

Obviously a compromise must be reached. Consider how often the table will be moved around. If the table is being used for home visits on a regular basis then it is important for the practitioner to be able to carry the table comfortably. It is much harder to carry a table with a bent elbow, than with a straight arm.
The following table can be used as a guide so you can comfortably carry your table by the handle, with a straight arm, and without it dragging on the ground. Remember that the handle on the table extends its width (that is height off the ground when folded) by an extra 5-10cm when its been carried. The practitioner physical height guide to table height and width given left, is sometimes useful if you are purchasing the table as a surprise gift for someone else and you don’t want to signal your intentions by actually measuring the recipient as described on page 21.
If the table is not being moved around very much then many practitioners like to move up one width on what would be comfortable for them to carry. This approach moves the compromise equation in the patient’s favour. It means a little more leaning for the practitioner while working, but this is offset by a more comfortable table for the patient. A wider width is also indicated if the practitioner’s technique includes straddling, kneeling, or sitting alongside the patient.
In recent years there is a trend towards wider tables in Australia and 68 cm width seems to be overtaking 66 cm as the most popular width. In some overseas countries even wider tables are the most common e.g. USA.
[Q8.2] Upholstery edge finish
One of the most important factors influencing table width, which is often overlooked, is the finish on the edge of the table. The edge finish alters the effective width of the table and brings into consideration the difference between nominal and effective width. There are two basic types:
[Q8.3] Rounded edge or tapered edge: The foam is compressed by the vinyl covering. It stands to reason that a table with a rounded edge finish will lose some of its effective width because it slopes away at the edges. This is most noticeable when a patient is lying in the supine position with arms by the side. If the table is narrow, and has rounded edges, the arms will tend to slide off the table. In this way some tables with very rounded edges can lose 10-15 cm of their effective width.
[Q8.4] Sewn edge or flat top: This is where a gusset is sewn in to the sides of the vinyl making a square edge like a mattress so the table can have a flat top. This type of edge finish has an effective width that is the same as its nominal width. Consider the mattress you sleep on - most people would steer clear of a mattress with a rounded edge that effectively reduced the space available to sleep on.
The practical result of choosing a sewn edge finish is that a person of shorter stature, who would find it difficult to carry a wider table, can get the benefit of a wider table by choosing the sewn edge finish. Of course the benefit is not limited to the narrower tables, so anyone looking to get maximum effective width from a given nominal width should consider this type of edge finish.
The only reason for the dominance of the tapered edge finish in Australia is that it is a cheaper method of upholstery for the manufacturer, and does not require work from professional upholsterers, unlike the more complicated sewn edge finish. Having said all this, a minority of practitioners still prefer the appearance of the tapered edge finish despite its comfort limitations.
In recent years some high quality tables have achieved a compromise of less taper at the edge of the table (and therefore a flatter, more usable top), without having to incorporate the sewn edge gusset. This is done by carefully layering the foam at the edge of the table to reduce the rounding effect.

Remember that for any table, the wider it is, the heavier it is, so the person of smaller stature should always consider the weight they can comfortably carry, as well as the width. This is where a table with a flatter top finish comes into its own.

[Q8.5] Table shape
Another factor to consider when determining table width is the shape of the table. Comfortable carrying capacity does not alter with different shapes, however a shaped top access table which enables the practitioner to stand closer to the patient (less bending), generally enables the practitioner to move up one size in width without unduly affecting working comfort. There is actually less bending by the practitioner required on a 66 cm- wide shaped top table than on a 61cm-wide rectangular table.

Show a Genesis table here  Rectangular table

Because you stand much closer to the centre of the table on a shaped top table than on a rectangular table there is less bending required to reach the centre of the table and therefore the centre of your patient's back.
This achieves a more comfortable working position without a compromise in patient comfort.
[Q8.6] Most popular widths for massage
Having said all that, currently the most popular width for professional massage tables is 66-68 cm (26-27 in), and most standard massage tables are 1.84 m (6 ft) long. Tables can of course be manufactured to any width and any length, and sometimes these two factors are interdependent, e.g. an extra high table may need to be extra wide in order to provide stability.