Homemade Massage Table

The art of relieving muscle tension and stress to invoke a state of calm through massage is an ancient hands-on therapy. Massage has been used for more than 4,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center. While floor mats or a raised bed are often used for massage, neither compare to the flexibility and convenience of walking around a slim massage table. Construct a homemade massage table for your therapeutic-massage sessions. Does this Spark an idea?

Build the Frame

Use floorboard plywood at least 3/4- to 1-inch thick to make the top of your homemade massage table. Floorboard plywood is sturdy enough to maintain its shape without buckling while supporting the heavy weight of an adult. The size of your massage table will be determined by the length and width of your plywood top. Mark the desired width and length, and cut it using a circular or table saw.

To further reinforce the top of your massage table, cut two top pieces instead of one and place them one on top of the other. Since massaging the back is the primary focus of massage, cut a vertical, oval slit centered at one end into the plywood at the position of the nose and mouth. This slit will allow your patients to breathe comfortably while lying face down during a massage.

While your homemade massage table does not have to be the full length of an adult client, the table must reach at least below the knees. This length will prevent discomfort at the knee joints and unnecessary bending at the knees during the massage.

Construct four legs to the desired height of your table using 4-by-4 wood posts. Use 2-by-4s as horizontal supports between the legs--at the top of the legs and at the middle of the legs. These supports will stabilize the legs and prevent them from wobbling during a massage session. Reinforce all joints with wood gluem and use wood screws to secure the pieces together. If adding a second layer of plywood to the top, line it up with the first layer, add wood glue between the layers, and screw from the underside of the massage table.

Dress It Up

Use high-density foam between 2 and 4 inches thick, depending on how much cushioning you want your homemade massage table to have. Apply a layer of spray adhesive or another type of non-toxic glue to the top surface of your massage table frame, and position the foam on top. Use an electric carving knife to trim away any excess foam around the edges and to cut through the slit for the nose and mouth.

Cover the top of your homemade massage table with faux leather, durable vinyl or real leather. Measure enough of your covering to cover the top and sides of your table with a little overlap underneath for tacking or stapling it in place. Cut a slit into the covering to fold down into the opening for the nose and mouth before cutting away the excess and securing it into place. If the fabric is too short to reach down into the opening, sew a small attachment piece to cover the walls of the slit and to tack to the underside of the homemade massage table. Secure this first and then proceed to tack the outer edges of the covering to the underside of the table. Use a staple gun or furniture tacks to secure the covering into place, and cut away any excess.