Daily wear and tear on therapists' bodies can ruin perfectly good
careers and cost spas their employees -- and clients. Because Oakworks
knows that their products are not being used by machines, all innovations
are focused on that place where the spa practitioner and equipment
meet. This human-centric focus is called ergonomics; livelihoods depend
on it.
According to the Ergonomics Society of America website, ergonomics
is an
approach which puts human needs and capabilities at the focus of designing
products and work systems. While it sounds very science-y, it is really
quite basic: The aim is to ensure that humans and technology operate
in complete harmony, so that there are fewer errors, greater effectiveness
and fewer repetitive strain injuries and work-related accidents. For
the therapist it means a more robust livelihood and helping more people;
for the spa owner it means greater staff retention and better bottom
line.
Underlying all ergonomics is careful analysis of the human activity
in this
case, treatments. The table engineer must understand all of the demands
being made on the person (the aesthetician and her hands, knees, hips,
legs, etc.), and the likely effects of any changes to these mechanics.
In the case of the massage practitioner, ergonomics are demonstrated
in a table’s design through everything from table height and
access-oriented designs (allowing close-in bodywork in the proper
positions) to stability (to maximizing practitioner’s impact
while minimizing movement) and material choice (strength and safety).
Generally speaking, the wear and tear on any therapist’s body
is varied.
Injuries, such as repetitive use issues, can occur in almost any area
-- from strained thumbs, fingers and hands, to neck, lower back and
hip pain. While the importance of proper body mechanics is taught
in schools, the truth of the matter is that the therapist’s approach
is only half the equation the equipment is the other half.
The
Right Table Use Matters
Choosing an ergonomically-smart table, like the Celesta Maxx is not
as hard as it seems. The first question to ask is, “What purpose
is the table serving?” Will the table simply be used for massages?
Or will you be using the equipment to offer body scrubs and facials,
as well? If so, you’ll want to consider a table with a back rest
and some flexibility in its configurations such as the Celesta Maxx.
The Celesta Maxx is infinitely adjustable, allowing a full range of
heights and variations to comfortably support and accommodate practitioners
of every size, clients of every variety and almost every treatment
offered in spas today. The Celesta Maxx goes from a flat bed position
for treatments such massage therapy to a fully upright seated position
for pedicures. However, proceed with caution, choosing an inexpensive
table, that is not flexible in its functionality can actually cause
you to incur greater costs due to the simple fact a flat massage table
won’t serve other purposes. You’ll have to purchase a second
table adding an additional unplanned expense.
Employee Comfort
Poor table choices can cost you one of your most valued assets
your
employees. Tables that are not ergonomically friendly can take a toll
on
aestheticians, creating wear and tear on their bodies, making the
work place unbearable, not to mention shortening their careers and
increasing your turnover rate! Tables that function badly can also
lead to on-going frustration for an aesthetician trying to do their
routine work. Poorly designed or malfunctioning tables send employees
the message that management doesn’t care about their comfort
or longevity and contributes to costly staff turnover. Word of mouth
is an important marketing tool for a salon. Employees — past
and present talk. Oakworks tables support and enhance the therapist’s
experience by being infinitely adjustable and offering a variety of
widths and heights and other features to enhance accessibility without
causing strain. The Celesta Maxx is a perfect example of a product
created to support the practitioner because it offers the ability
for any aesthetician in your business to place it in their unique
preferred position standing or seated. The access end and tilt
allows the therapist to place the client easily in their lap.
Client Comfort
One good spa experience is often enough to keep clients coming back,
generating greater revenues for you. One bad experience; and you will
probably never see that customer again. Well-made, comfortable spa
tables will enhance the spa experience for the client. Ironically,
the seamless ability for a great table to “disappear” and
go unnoticed helps keep the attention on the treatment where
it belongs. Padding quality, table width, ability to easily get on
and off the table and bolsters, contribute significantly to creating
client comfort. In short, a great table is the foundation upon which
a great spa visit (and business) is built. Oakworks demonstrates its
commitment to client focus by offering smart padding such as Aero.Cel
which comfortably supports the client and allows easy gliding for
the therapist’s hands. Oakworks electric lift designs, with hand
and foot controls, provide easy adjustability for the practitioner
and superior positioning for secure client mounting and dismounting
from the table.
Safety
Less expensive tables often cost less because they have less invested
in them: less testing, lower-grade materials and lower safety standards.
Spas that are willing to gamble on safety and table quality are opening
themselves up to costly liability, potentially years of litigation
and a ruined reputation.
Your clients and your career depend on the safety, reliability and
quality of
the products you use. Every one of Oakworks new designs goes through
a
rigorous, specialized, four-part testing protocol, including a dynamic
load
test, a lateral force test, a stability test and component and cycle
tests. (To verify their results, Oakworks employs a third party to
run additional testing, ensuring the methods are tight and findings
accurate.) This equipment is engineered to exceed all the challenges
your table might experience out there in the real world, even before
it gets there.
Environmental Quality
After months in the lab, working with scientists from around the globe,
Oakworks now offers TerraTouch, a revolutionary, earth-friendly upholstery
fabric, made from PVC-free organic compounds. Besides being more durable,
softer and easier to care for, TerraTouch (which comes in an eye-soothing
rainbow of colors) is more environmentally friendly than any other
fabric like it. TerraTouch offers abrasion resistance, tear resistance,
superior resistance to cracking from oil exposure, resistance to solvents
and the surface texture is considerably easier to clean.
It is clear that Oakworks is committed to human centered well-being,
ergonomics and fostering dynamic innovations to support careers. For
more than a quarter of a century Oakworks has had an on-going dialogue
with the therapeutic community. It is easy to see why they’ve
adopted the tagline: Bodies talk. We listen.
Sharon Krout
Spa Market Manager
Oakworks, Inc.
800-916-4613 x 2303
skrout@oakworks.com
www.oakworks.com
Oakworks: Bodies talk. We listen.
