T1 Safety Considerations for Sarga Bodywork on Raised Massage Tables

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR SARGA BODYWORK ON RAISED MASSAGE TABLES

Sarga Bodywork is a rigorous practice that requires a high level of physical conditioning. Strength, flexibility and a fine-tuned kinesthetic awareness are a must for practicing Sarga Bodywork safely and without risking injury to both practitioner and recipient. Yet keep in mind that these are also qualities which you will develop by practicing Sarga Bodywork, so don’t feel discouraged if you find this practice difficult at first!

All Sarga Bodywork techniques are done with just one foot at a time on the recipient’s body, and the therapist’s full body weight is never fully on the recipient, so having a heavier build is not problematic if abiding by the limits of your massage table’s design and weight capacity.

RAISED MASSAGE TABLES USED FOR SARGA BODYWORK MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

Must be of excellent quality and condition.
Must have an adequate "working weight" capacity. There is a working weight limit on every massage table, which usually accounts for the weight of the recipient plus the pressure of the exerted force via the massage therapist. For foot-based massage modalities on a raised table however, the massage table’s working weight must be able to support the recipient’s bodyweight, plus the therapist’s bodyweight, plus the moving pressure exerted by the massage therapist. Most massage tables have at least a 500-pound working weight capacity, but massage tables made by established massage table manufacturers can usually support much more (for example, Earthlite or Oakworks massage tables are very well made and are designed to easily hold over 2,500 pounds (static weight), with a working weight capacity of 750 pounds or more). Check the label posted beneath your massage table or research your massage table’s make and model to make sure that it meets your working weight requirements.
Must have a medium/firm foam (massage tables with soft/thick foam cushioning don’t give enough standing stability for therapists.
The width of your massage table must be no smaller than 30” (tables that are between 32” and 36” wide are ideal).
For practitioners over 6 feet in height we recommend no less than a 35" wide table.
Sarga Bodywork methodology works best at a low table height range; between 18 and 24 inches (above the therapist's knee level). This lower height facilitates proper body mechanics per our methods, and increases working stability for foot-based techniques.
The rubber bumpers or any other obstructions on either rail of your massage table must be removed as the Sarga Strap can get caught on these.
Must have non-slip rubber pads on the legs.
Stationary and electric massage tables can also be used for Sarga Bodywork and are great because they are very stable and have higher weight capacities than portable massage tables. However, width and foam density still need to be considered. Stationary tables will need a either The Sarga Attachment for Stationary/Electric Massage Tables or the permanent installation of two hardware loops to serve as tie-offs for the Sarga Strap.

MASSAGE SHEETS

The type of sheets that you use for treatments with Sarga Bodywork equipment are a safety consideration as silk or synthetic blends are slippery for standing practitioners! We highly recommend that you use cotton flannel sheets. Please make sure these are cotton flannel massage sheets (not bed sheets). We recommend the "Standard Flannel" TOP sheets from both Inner Peace Sheets and Sew & Sew (Note that these sheets are narrower in width than your average massage sheets. We prefer this width as there is less fabric to negotiate during treatments. You will also be able to fit many more sheets in a load of laundry, saving time and resources!). For FITTED cotton flannel sheets we have had luck with: NRG Deluxe Flannel Sheets or Arcadia Organic Cotton Flannel Sheets.

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