Obese Clients

[joe_bhoy_09]

Well, I now know that my Earthlite table was a good buy...LOL!    I had the heaviest client ever tonight, and aside from a few creaks, had not one problem with the table.  The adjustable face cradle was also just great in its highest position, which he claimed was much more comfortable than any face cradle he ever used before.He was 6 feet 5 inches tall, and wrote in his weight at (gasp!) 400 lbs, but I think that was a very conservative "guesstimate" (he may not know his real weight, but I can tell you, that was the biggest man I have seen in person in a very long time!).  I worked on him for two hours, and had to make many modifications.  For instance, his arms would not fit on the table, and I had to kneel on the ground to do forearms and hands (actually, his hands touched the ground).  I lowered the table to the second lowest notch, so he wasn't too high for me to work on comfortably.  Towards the end, I wound up seated, as it was quite a challenge to raise his limbs for any reason, and he was just dead weight; but all in all, he seemed to have enjoyed it (he had originally scheduled just an hour).  (He was a judge, and, sorry to say, a huge perve; Too bad; but I won't be seeing himagain!Have any of you had much experience with severely obese clients?  How do you accomodate them?

 

[James J]

Obese Clients

I haven't massaged them, but I have taken care of some in the hospital. When I had to work on their legs, I put a foam block under their calves so that I could rub the lotion or help change dressings. I don't know if you can do that with massages, but it is worth a try. Just use a large bolster and put under his calf when he is on his back and under his shin when he is on his stomache. It will be easier on your arms and back i would think. I hope this helps.Jenny

 

[summer is almost over]

I suggest buying Eartlhite's arm extensors if you don't already have them.  Yes, lower the table and, as someone suggested in another post, have slip-on mules under the table for the added height required for Deep Tissue. Though not ideal, arms can also rest on stool under the headpiece(prone). Rolled up sheets for extra bolstering, including under shoulders when prone.  If you work in a chiropractor's office, check the table weight capacity.  I've subbed at two. One had a home-made table; one had a 300lb. weight limit.