As it happens, I’ve never had both my massage tables side by side before today. So I thought I’d take a picture. These are the tools of my trade, more important to my work than anything, other than my own body. They must feel safe and comfortable for the client, and be the right height for my body mechanics. And these are both portables, which means I need them to pack up to a size I can manage to get in and out of a vehicle.
Back when I was a student in the 90s and it was time to buy a table, they had some at my school. But when I tried to lift a standard-size table (probably 32″), I couldn’t get it off the ground. So I bought a little second-hand one they had, which was a 26″ Oakworks Nova Light, in fuchsia. Most clients don’t notice the size difference, but I found it easier to work with, and easier to maneuver around in a small space as well.
When we moved to Texas, at first I wasn’t going to be mobile, so I left it at the in-laws’ house and I used it to give massages to MIL whenever I was there. Coming out of covid lockdown in 2022, I went on my own again, but it was time to upgrade my equipment. The Nova Light that I had loved must have been discontinued. Should I have it reupholstered at a magnificent price? Try to do it myself without skills or tools? Or just suck it up and buy a quality table that wasn’t exactly to all my specs?
So I bought a 30″ Earthlight Stronglite Versalite (don’t ask) which has been excellent. It’s partly aluminum, which makes it a few pounds lighter than all-wood tables.The old hot pink one stayed in Kansas.
In 2024 when I took Zero Balancing training, to my surprise, I learned that the narrow table is preferred and sought after in ZB. I am not the only one in the world who loves a smaller table! This was just one more way that I felt I was in my element in ZB. So that seals it, I will keep my old Nova Light forever! And one of these days I’ll just recover it myself . . .
Things keep changing, and now I have both tables at my home at the same time. Who knows where I’ll take them next?
(Hint: the big one is going to Winfield, KS next week.)
Rachel Creager Ireland, LMT 