Many people resort to massage on a daily basis to take care of their beauty and, at the same time, relax their body and mind from the tiring days of work and stress. This type of esthetic treatment is already among the favorites, who are increasingly adhering to the most diverse types of massages to get around physical and mental fatigue, as well as to alleviate other various ailments that affect the body. For this reason, the profession of massage therapist has grown a lot in recent times, giving the opportunity for many professionals to specialize and conquer the best job openings in the health, aesthetics, and beauty fields in general. However, what many of these professionals in the beginning of their careers don't know is that, for a massage to be done in an efficient and correct way, more than having a great technique, it is necessary to invest in a stretcher that allows the best application of the procedure. In other words, there is no point in the massage therapist having great sliding, kneading, and friction techniques if the stretcher is not the most adequate for the type of massage that is being done. With that in mind, we have separated in this article some tips for you, a professional who is just starting out, to buy the ideal massage stretcher that meets your needs and your clients', and enhances, even more, the effects of the treatment. Fidler stretchers are a good choice. ![image.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXPuxpuqPjnTwLmazVCvbmQF4cWDTHDY1ya2nJVvU45W3/image.png) Types of Massage Stretcher The first thing you need to know as a massage therapist is that there are two types of massage stretchers on the market that you can buy in order to start serving your clientele efficiently and build their loyalty for good. In this case, you should choose between the two models that we will present you below according to the type of massage you usually do and, of course, the type of service you provide, whether it is at home or in your own aesthetic clinic. Take a look: Fixed stretcher As the name implies, the fixed massage stretcher is the one we most commonly see in beauty clinics and beauty establishments, which is permanently fixed in a certain space. In this case, it is not very recommended for massage therapists who work at home, since they are not very easy to transport. However, what many of these professionals at the beginning of their careers do not know is that, for a massage to be done efficiently and correctly, rather than having a great technique, it is necessary to invest in a table that allows the best application of the procedure and here you can get all the information necessary for you to become an expert in the area https://solidmassage.com/ Portable Stretcher Different from the fixed stretcher, the portable stretcher, as you might imagine, is the one that can be transported to any place, being, therefore, ideal for professionals who work with home services. The models found can be disassembled and taken to each home with ease, since the parts do not weigh much. Like the fixed one, the portable stretcher can also be purchased according to the type of massage you perform and in different models, matching all kinds of room styles. Materials used in manufacturing Another important characteristic when choosing the ideal massage stretcher for you to work with is the material used to manufacture them. In general, fixed and portable stretchers are found in aluminum or wood, and the most suitable material for your stretcher, again, will depend on the type of service you provide (home or in a fixed location) and what kind of massage you provide. See below the main advantages and disadvantages of wooden and aluminum stretchers: Wooden stretcher: The models made with this material can support up to 300 kg, which can be an advantage over the aluminum one, since they can support not only clients with more weight but also a greater force that the professional can put on the client's body to make the massage. Professionals and massage therapists who work in beauty salons or provide the service at home may have more advantages by using this type of stretcher since they have greater durability and can be transported with less chance of damage. Generally speaking, for all professionals, it is worth saying that the wooden massage stretcher, besides holding more weight than the aluminum one, also offers more comfort to its clients, since they usually come with a padded headboard that is more comfortable and doesn't get "bumpy" with time. In addition, only this type of material comes with the options of height adjustment, ideal to make certain types of massage that require a greater or lesser height, which makes it more sought after than the aluminum stretcher. Aluminum Stretcher: This type of stretcher is more fragile and can support, at most, people with up to 130 kg, which can be a disadvantage for massage therapists who have obese clients, for example. In addition, the material limits the force that the professional can superimpose on the client's body when performing the massage, at the risk of the stretcher becoming "Bamba" or even ruined for good. Many massage professionals opt for aluminum stretchers because they are lighter than wooden ones. However, it has been proven that the difference in weight between the two models is, at most, one kilo, which means that the aluminum stretcher is not as light as the wooden one, in reality. Therefore, aluminum stretchers are more suitable for tattoo artists and depilators than for massage therapists, since these procedures do not require strength during application. In addition, they do not have regulation options, which could hinder the performance of massages, especially for professionals who have a very large clientele. Essential tips when choosing the ideal massage stretcher Now that you already know the types of massage tables that exist in the market and the materials used in their manufacture, it is time to know what are the main tips that you need to take into account when buying yours. If you are a massage therapist and are just starting to work in the field, keep an eye on the following situations: Type of service As we pointed out in the previous paragraphs, the choice of your ideal massage table should always be made according to the type of massage you usually give to your clients and, also, according to the type of service you provide (home or in a fixed location). Only after evaluating this item, you can be free to make the other choices we will list below. Don't forget that the stretcher will be the key to enhance your work and provide a better experience to your customers. Time of use Before choosing the type and material of the massage stretcher you want to buy, you need to keep in mind that this will be your work instrument from now on, for many years. Therefore, any wrong choice can affect your whole career. So decide carefully! Weight The weight of the stretcher you intend to buy is also very important in your work. So, when you arrive at the store, lift the stretcher and walk around the space for a while with it to see if you can carry it easily, especially if you are a massage therapist who attends at home. Price Another information you need to know is that the fixed massage stretcher is cheaper than the portable one. However, it is only best suited for professionals who work at a fixed location. Those who work at home may not benefit from this advantage, since this model is much more difficult to transport. Height Adjustment Nowadays, it is possible to find stretchers with or without the option of height adjustment. As you have already read in this article, the wooden stretchers are more easily found with this option, unlike the aluminum ones. In general, this adjustment varies between 50 cm to 85 cm. Although this is an advantage for professionals who have a very large clientele, it can be a disadvantage in relation to weight, since stretchers with height adjustment are usually heavier than those with fixed adjustment. However, this article is merely informative, which means that the final choice depends only on you, always following your needs and the types of messages you usually apply to your clients. Remember that the chosen stretcher should always be comfortable, clean, and safe to make your mark and build customer loyalty!