Choosing Your Massage Therapy Supplies
Dunbar Medical can provide our massage therapist clients with superior quality massage therapy supplies. Our product range includes massage gets and lotions from Chattanooga and Eco Med. We can also supply massage tables from the reputable Chattanooga line.
Massage therapy is based on manipulation of bodily soft tissues to optimize patient health. These soft tissues consist of muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and joints.
Choosing A Massage Table
Probably the most important tool in the armoury of a massage therapist is the surface on which the massage is performed, i.e. the massage table. It should therefore be the first item you consider for your massage therapy supplies list.
There are 2 types of table – stationary and portable. If your practice is based in a specific location and clients will be coming to there, a stationary table is a better option. This type of table is heavier and therefore more difficult to move than a portable table.
When choosing a massage table for your practice, the most important thing to bear in mind is the table dimensions, i.e. length and width. Height is also important to the comfort and well being of the therapist. The table surface should be comfortable for the client to lay on. Choose a table with thick, dense and comfortable padding for optimal client comfort.
Generally, stationary massage tables are made from wood while portable ones are made from aluminium in order to be easier to transport.
For your taller clients, you may want to include table accessories such as headrests, leg rests, arm shelves and side extensions in your shopping list of massage therapy supplies. For even greater client comfort, you should also consider table warmers, pillows and sheets for inclusion on your list.
Don’t forget to include massage table chairs on your list of massage therapy supplies. They are another option for performing massages and are a great choice if space is limited at your practice’s premises. They are also useful if you specialize in performing massages of specific body areas such as the shoulder, back or neck.
Consider Including Massage Tools On Your Therapy Supplies List
Don’t forget to consider massage tools for inclusion on your massage therapy supplies shopping list. You can choose either electrical or manual tools. Electrical tools are available in both percussive and electrical form. You can use them to apply constant heat and vibration to your clients’ sore areas.
Manual tools include balls, rollers,hot stone massage tools and even massage sticks like the Original Tiger Tail Massage Stick. These tools will provide you with additional options to provide a more comprehensive massage to treat your clients’ aches, pains and stiffness. They will also be useful in breaking the monotony of a standard hands-only massage.
Choosing Massage Gels
Our massage gels will help you to target your patients’ tight muscles with deep contact and will also provide the appropriate amount of friction for an effective massage. Our massage creams will provide optimal skin softening and moisturizing to help you achieve your therapeutic goals.
In addition to massage creams and gels, your massage therapy practice will also need reliable supplies of high quality disinfectants and cleaners and well as pain relief accessories like TENS machines and topical analgesics. As you can see below, we provide a wide selection of these products from which you can choose.
Massage Therapy Supplies - Recommended Product Categories
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TENS, NMES & IFC5 Products
Our TENS, NMES & IFC units will provide a range of therapeutic or rehabilitation benefits based on the type of electrical signal the unit produces and how you use it:- The chief objective of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is temporary relief from the pain of sore or aching muscles or from chronic pain. It provides limited functionality compared to the other modalities described below, but at a more economical cost;
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has the objective of relaxing muscle spams, preventing muscle atrophy and increasing blood circulation and joint range of motion. It is similar to electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) but is more focused on rehabilitation instead of athletic training.
- Interferential Current (IFC) Stimulation focuses on symptomatic relief of pain, whether this is chronic, acute, post traumatic or post surgical. It is similar to TENS but more effective, powerful and costly.
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Massage Creams & Ointments4 Products
Creams & ointments meet many needs in a typical physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic or other clinical practice involving manual therapy. The ideal massage cream needs to provide the glide property of an oil in order to give the therapist the freedom to apply deeper modalities when this is the appropriate choice. This would be important, for example, for a massage therapist performing longitudinal gliding therapy on a patient. At other times, the cream or ointment needs to possess the frictional property of a lotion. An example of this would be the application of transverse friction to tendon or ligament injuries in order to break down thickened scar tissue that may be causing pain to the patient. The selection of creams & ointments in this section will provide various choices as to the mix between glide and friction. The optimal choice will depend on the mix of techniques you prefer to apply in your practice. -
Disinfectants & Cleaners13 Products
Disinfectants & Cleaners are an important line of defense against the spread of disease in your clinic. Together with table examination paper and medical examination gloves, they help to control the risk of spread between patients or from patients to your staff. The three main factors to bear in mind when choosing disinfectants & cleaners for your healthcare facility are:- What is the contact time of the disinfectant? Hopefully, the disinfectant will hopefully stay wet and in contact with any pathogens that may be present for a sufficiently long period to eliminate them. However, some disinfectants can dry before the pathogens are eliminated, leaving surfaces not fully disinfected. Hence, the shorter the contact time of the disinfectant, the better.
- Will it be damaging to the equipment present in your clinic? The aim here will be to avoid a disinfectant that may damage the surfaces of your equipment.
- How compatible will it be with the cleaning tools you use? Some cleaning tools can actually reduce the effectiveness of a disinfectant. For example, cottons and microfibers can bind with certain types of disinfectants and inhibit their release onto the surface that you are cleaning.
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Analgesics13 Products
Pain relief from analgesics will be valuable to patients after undergoing intense sessions of manual therapy. The key benefit will be the ability of the patient to undergo more frequent sessions and to gain additional therapeutic benefits. However, analgesics will also be of benefit to patients who are experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness after exercise or intense physical activity.Patients experiencing repetitive stress injuries such as tennis elbow or lower back pain will also appreciate the pain relief these products provide. There are also several medical conditions like arthritis that result in chronic pain. Patients suffering from these ailments will derive considerable quality of life improvements from the pain relief offered by the products in this section. Analgesics that are plant based and for topical use only also present less health risks than other over the counter medications. This applies to most of the products in this section.
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Pillows
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K Tape9 Products
Kinesiology tape (also called K Tape) is designed to promote healing from repetitive stress injuries. This includes injuries from sporting, work or recreational activities. It works by gently lifting the skin over the injured area as the patient performs his or her regular daily movements. By facilitating the flow of blood and/or lymphatic fluids through the area, k tape accelerates healing and reduces the pain of the injury. You can find more information on this type of taping therapy in our blog post on how k taping works. As you browse the selection of k tape products below, you will notice that it includes two types of tape. There are regular tape rolls as well as pre cut tape segments designed for specific areas of the body. In general, you can use the regular k tape rolls on any area of the body on which you have experienced an injury. However, they will require somewhat more skill and knowledge for successful application. On the other hand, you can use pre cuts only on specific body parts. However, you will find them easier to apply than the standard rolls. When applying k tape, be careful ensure that the area to which you intend to apply it is clean and dry. You should also avoid using any lotions, creams or oils on the area before application. Additionally, if body hair is present on the area, it is best to shave it before application. Please bear these comments in mind as you browse our selection of k tape products below. -
Hot & Cold Compresses5 Products
Hot & Cold Compresses are a convenient tool for treating both acute and chronic injuries. Sprains, strains, contusions and other injuries experienced at home or on the playing field can be effectively treated by cold packs activated in just a few minutes. They are simple to use and you can employ them just as effectively at home as can your therapist at the clinic or on the court. You can also easily treat chronic injuries at home using a hot pack that you have left in the microwave for a minute or two. You can take Hot & Cold Compresses along with you on business or vacation trips to help manage ongoing injuries. It's also useful to keep a few of them at home to deal with insect stings or bites, falls or the other accidents that will inevitably take place. Compresses that can serve a dual purpose (functioning as both hot and cold treatments) offer additional versatility in managing various types of conditions. -
Examination Table Paper1 Product
Examination table paper supplies are an important way for you to reduce the spread of communicable illnesses among patients visiting your medical facility. The paper should act as a barrier to prevent the spread of infection. Some of the features that you should probably look for in choosing your table paper are:- The paper should be made from a high quality pulp. This will ensure its strength and reduce the risk of tears appearing as the patient changes position on the table.
- The design of the paper should be such as to increase its strength, absorbency, softness (for patient comfort) and quietness.
- The design of the paper should be such as to resist water or fluids soaking through. This will ensure added protection for patients.
