A hydrotherapy table is one that uses water to assist in full - body massage therapy. They promote physical and emotional wellness by providing the sensation of touch with soothing long strokes that are created by the movement of water throughout the bladder which makes up the table upon which a person lies. The water is heated which adds to the soothing feeling that the client enjoys. Because a client has the sensation of floating, the experience is one of low impact. The body has no specific points that are sustaining the brunt of pressure because the body floats on the top of the bladder. Not unlike lying on a waterbed, the body is naturally relaxed and supported in a way that does not offer resistance on the body's torso or extremities.



A hydrotherapy table offers a non mechanical massage that is unlike a hand massage. With the flowing of the water throughout the bladder, the pressure does not change with the strokes as it does with a hand massage; it is an even feeling over all parts of the body from the beginning of the massage to the end. There is a powerful Jacuzzi type motor that pushes the water through jets, forcing it around in the hydrotherapy bladder. These jets give the feeling of sprinklers all over each part of the body, using that power to massage.



The need for conditioner added to the water is similar to that of a waterbed. Every six months or so, a small bottle of conditioner is added to the bladder to control algae and bacteria growth in the water. Many tables are made to order and must be paid for in full in advance, offering no refund policy. When deciding to purchase one to add to a massage practice, it is extremely important to do complete research so that the one desired is the one ordered. There are options available from some manufacturers, with the main option being the size of the motor - either 1.5 horsepower or 2 horsepower. In most cases, the 1.5 horsepower motor is used in the residential model while the 2 horsepower motor is for commercial use. If the massage business is residential - the decision should be based upon whether it will be used as if it were a commercial enterprise. If there are many clients, it is better to purchase the stronger model to avoid issues with it not being capable of managing the client load.