Massage Glossary: Helpful Massage Terminology and Definitions

Auto Lock Leg & Frame System
The Auto Lock & Frame System, built into our portable massage tables’ legs, frame and cables, allows you to set up your portable table automatically and quickly. Simply unclasp the locks, open the table, extend the legs, set upright, and you’re done. No other assembly required!

Basalt
Basalt is a volcanic rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava.  Basalt is often used for hot stone massage therapy because of its ability to retain heat well (Basalt contains magnetic iron) and its ability to deliver healing minerals to the body through the skin. Our basalt stones are obtained from Peru, considered by therapists as the best source for stones for hot massage.

Carrier Oils
Carrier Oils are oils derived from the fatty portion of vegetable plants. They are oily to the touch and do not evaporate quickly. Often Essential Oils are too potent to apply directly to the skin so they are diluted in Carrier Oils to create Massage Blends. Carrier Oils gets their name because they “carry” Essential Oils to the skin during a massage. Examples of some Carrier Oils are: grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, apricot oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil. The different types of Carrier Oils can range in consistency, shelf life, price and therapeutic benefits. We offer a wide variety of Certified Organic and All Natural Carrier Oils. See Essential Oils in this glossary for more information.

Carrying Cases
We offer the following free Carrying Cases with our portable massage tables and massage chairs:
•    The Deluxe Carrying Case which comes with a large side pocket and a padded shoulder strap.
•    The Standard Carrying Case which comes with either a small side pocket or no side pocket and a non-padded shoulder strap.
•    The Wheeled Carrying Case which comes with a large side pocket, a padded shoulder strap and wheels.
•    The Oval Deluxe Carrying Case which is oval-shaped and comes with a large side pocket and a padded shoulder strap.
•    The Oval Standard Carrying Case which is oval-shaped and comes with a small side pocket and a non-padded shoulder strap.

Headrests
We offer the following Headrests free with our massage tables, massage chairs, and desktop and bed supports.

• The Ergo Headrest which is adjustable, has a curved rather than flat faceplate, and is accompanied by an ergonomic face pillow that contains Memory Foam.  The ergonomically designed faceplate and Memory Foam pillow are designed to fit the face's contours and avoid pressure from building up on any one point for the ultimate in client relaxation.  This headrest is included free with some of our portable and electric massage tables as well as our Ergo Deluxe BodyChoice Chair and Deluxe Desktop and Bed Support. See Memory Foam in this glossary for more information.  
• The Standard Headrest which is adjustable, has a flat faceplate, and is accompanied by a standard face pillow which is made up of high-density, small-cell foam.  This headrest is included free with some of our portable and electric massage tables.
• The Built-in Manually Adjustable Headrest and Arm Shelf Combination is available on some of our electric massage tables.  With the help of a lever, this combination unit manually adjusts up and down and is covered by a standard face pillow which is made up of high-density, small-cell foam.
• Standard Fixed Headrest which is not adjustable has a flat faceplate.  This headrest is sold separately from our portable massage tables.

Organic/Certified Organic
According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), Organic refers to the way agricultural products—food and fiber—are grown and processed. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.  Certified Organic means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations.  Many of our massage oils and Essential Oils are Certified Organic.

Double Lock Leg Adjusters
Double Lock Leg Adjusters are the two nuts and bolts that are on the legs of some of our massage tables that are responsible for adjusting the tables’ height.  Some of our other massage table competitors have only one leg adjuster on their massage tables, but we have two!  The Double Lock Leg Adjusters ensure that your table is doubly secure and stable.

Essential Oils
Essential Oils are the liquid extracts of the aromatic portion of plants like the seeds, bark, stems, roots, and flowers.  They are called Essential Oils because they contain the essence or scent of the plants from which they are derived.  Essential Oils are highly concentrated and are often diluted in Carrier Oil in order to safely apply them to the skin.   Essential Oils have many therapeutic effects and have been used as healing agents for centuries.  Some popular Essential Oils include lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree.  We carry a wide variety of Certified Organic or All Natural Essential Oils.

Face Port and Plug
A Face Port is a built-in recess or hole usually on one side of a massage table that is meant to cradle the client’s face when he or she is in the prone position. The Plug is a piece that fits into the Face Port to cover it when the Face Port is not being used.  Because a Headrest makes a massage table longer, therapists typically use a Face Port instead of Headrest in order to conserve space.   Our massage tables which are available with a Face Port and Plug also come with a Headrest so clients and therapists can choose the method of positioning they prefer.

Massage Creams
Massage Creams provide a balance between more absorbable Massage Lotions and more workable massage oils. Their glide is less than that of oil but more than that of lotion. Massage Creams are often ideal for working on sore, injured, or spasmodic muscles. They are also a good option for working on patients that do not like the feel of massage oils when you still need a good amount of glide. It is important to match the type of massage oil, cream, or lotion with the goals of the massage. The descriptions of each of our Massage Creams explain the benefits they offer.

Massage Lotion
Of oils, creams, and lotions, Massage Lotions provide the shortest glide and most absorption. These qualities make it ideal for deep tissue work. Without putting excessive drag on the skin, they provide the therapist the greatest working grip and allow him or her to penetrate deep into their client’s muscles. It is important to match the type of massage oil, cream, or lotion with the goals of the massage. The descriptions of each of our Massage Lotions explain the benefits they offer.

PVC/Medical-Grade PVC
PVC is short for Polyvinyl Chloride and it is a plastic or synthetic resin.  It is the third most widely used plastic in the world.  PVC can be softened or elasticized making it an ideal alternative to leather for upholstery.  The benefits of PVC include its durability, resistance to stains, and its being fire-retardant. Medical-Grade PVC is a higher-quality PVC that is not toxic and is less resistant to break-down from exposure to body oils and other elements.  All of our massage tables and chairs are upholstered in either PU Leather or Medical-Grade PVC.   In our testing we’ve found trace amounts of toxins in competitors’ standard PVC-covered massage tables, but our Medical-Grade PVC and PU Leather were toxin-free.  See PU Leather in this glossary for more information.  
 
Memory Foam
Memory Foam is created from a substance called viscoelastic.  Memory Foam is soft, energy-absorbent, and reacts to heat and pressure by changing its shape to accommodate a warm object or an object that is pressing against it.  Once these objects are removed, Memory Foam returns to its original state.  Massage tables with Memory Foam are usually more comfortable for clients, especially ones that lie in one position for a long amount of time.  Memory Foam evenly distributes clients’ body weight keeping pressure from building up in certain spots.  Some of our massage tables and Headrests come with a layer of Memory Foam making them the ultimate in comfort.

Oil Extraction
The following are the ways our some of our oils are extracted:

• Expeller-Pressing is a method used to extract oil from nuts and seeds using an expeller machine.  To extract the oil, the expeller machine squeezes the nut or seed between two metal plates.  Expeller-Pressing does not involve additional heat or chemicals, but unlike Cold-Pressing, Expeller-Pressing is not confined to production temperatures under 120 degrees F.  Introduction of high heat and chemical speeds up the extracting process and may produce more oil, but the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of the oil may be compromised during the process.  
• Cold-Pressing is a method of extracting oil from nuts and seeds using an expeller machine.  Cold-Pressing is different than Expeller-Pressing because Cold-Pressing is more closely temperature-controlled, ensuring production temperatures do not go over 120 degrees F. Cold-Pressing does not use any chemicals in the production process nor does it rely on any additional heat.
• Hand-Pressed oils and butters are derived from hand-operated expeller machines.  This method uses no chemicals or additional heat so the oils and butters nutritional and therapeutic benefits are kept intact.

Pneumatic
Pneumatic refers to the use of pressurized gas to produce mechanical motion.  Some of our massage tables have Pneumatic pumps that are responsible for moving parts of the table up and down, like the backrest or leg rest.  This type of pump uses compressed gas that is contained in a cylinder and is squeezed by a piston to create force.  Pneumatic pumps are quiet, smooth, and are ideal for massage tables, office chairs and other types of furniture with movable parts.  

PU Leather
PU stands for Polyurethane.  It is a plastic that can take on many forms and can be used in many different ways.  We use PU Leather, a synthetic polyurethane upholstery, to cover many of our massage tables.  PU Leather is considered more environmentally friendly than standard PVC and it is durable, waterproof and easy-to-clean.  In our testing facility we found no toxins present in either our PU Leather or Medical Grade PVC upholstery.

Reiki Panels
Reiki Panels are the stabilization plates located on both ends of many of our portable massage tables.  Reiki Panels, in contrast with standard end panels, are positioned higher which allows therapists to work in a seated position with their knees under the massage table.   Reiki Panels derive their name from the practice of Reiki which traditionally requires a healer to remain seated while performing bodywork.  Our Reiki Panels are often thicker than standard end panels making our tables extra stable.

Rounded Corners
Rounded Corners are one of the features available on some of our massage tables.  In general, navigating around a table with Rounded Corners is easier than one with standard corners because therapists are less likely to bump into protruding edges.  Tables with Rounded Corners are considered more elegant and visually appealing.  Also, tables with Rounded Corners also save a little more space because they are able to fit more easily into tight places.

Shiatsu Cable Release Function
The Shiatsu Cable Release Function, which is available on some of our portable massage tables, allows you to tuck the massage table’s legs underneath and work with clients directly on the floor.  The Shiatsu Cable Release Function derives its name from Shiatsu, a practice that requires the therapists to perform bodywork on the floor with a mat.  To operate the Shiatsu Cable Release Function, simply remove the cables from the bolts that connect the cables to your massage table’s legs.  You can do this by hand—no wrench required!  Removal of the cables will allow the legs to fold under the table as opposed to having them in the Auto-Lock position which keeps them in an upright, standing position.  To put the table back into the Auto-Lock position, simply reconnect the cables to the bolts on the table’s legs.  See Auto-Lock Leg & Frame System in this glossary for more information.

Static Weight
Static Weight refers to the amount of non-moving weight a massage table can withstand before it breaks.  Static Weight is measured by putting weight on the entire table (as opposed to only portions of the table) slowly and systematically.   Static Weight, unlike Working Weight, does not factor in pressure or movement.  Our portable massage tables, on average, withstand about 2400 pounds of Static Weight.  See Working Weight in this glossary for more information.  

Sternum Bolster
A Sternum Bolster is a removable padded attachment that comes with our Ergo Deluxe BodyChoice Chair as well as our Desktop and Bed Massage Support.  It is specifically designed to provide extra support for a woman when her chest is pressed against chest plates of these two products.  The Sternum Bolster positions a client so that pressure is absorbed by her sternum rather than her breasts.

Working Weight
Working Weight refers to the amount of moving weight a massage table can withstand before it breaks.  Working Weight factors in pressure exerted from the therapist as well as the weight of the client while he or she shifts positions.  Any weight or pressure that is not evenly distributed or that changes is considered Working Weight.  Working Weight is inevitably lower than Static Weight.  On average our portable massage tables withstand about 600 pounds of Working Weight.  See Static Weight in this glossary for more information.