HELP needed! Safe set up for sports massage outdoors

[dave d]

Hi, I am in a bit of a bind, and may be making a mountain out of a mole hill, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Long story as short as possible: I am just newly out of school and newly licensed, and have accepted (but not signed a contract yet) a one day event job for post-event sports massage at a 10k race. I am bringing my own table. The event is in 5 days (this Saturday), and I was offered the job a week ago today. Two days after I was offered the job, I emailed my contact person to ask her if the event tent would be set up on pavement or grass. No response. I asked again on Friday. Today I got a response stating that we have to set up on grass, but that the surface is "even" and it shouldn't be a problem, but if it is, we can cross that road when we come to it.

I have put out a question to a couple of my former teachers as to whether setting up on grass is safe. Here are my concerns:
1) I am newly licensed, and while I do have insurance, it would be devastating to me if the table tipped over mid-massage due to instability on grass and a client was hurt or threatened to sue me.

2) If it has recently rained, the ground might be soft and the table legs could sink into the ground.

3) I am also not certain what kind of traction I'd have under my feet working on grass; it could be slippery.

My gut is telling me this is a bad idea, but maybe MT's working at this type of event do this all the time? I'd like to get by to my contact person and not leave her hanging, so I'd love your input! TIA.

 

[LaLa]

HELP needed! Safe set up for sports massage outdoors

Even if a table is unstable, it's unlikely to actually TIP OVER. While it's not impossible, I think someone would have to jump on it pretty roughly, or you'd have to push it pretty hard (with someone on it) to tip it over. I think the biggest concern with table instability is that it might break if it's old or cracked, or if a very heavy person were to jump on it. You can also lower the table more than you usually would (especially since it's sports massage) to keep the center of gravity low to help ease this concern of yours.

Even if grass is a bit wet, it shouldn't be super slippery unless it's raining. Wear sneakers or some kind of shoe with some traction and you should be fine.

I do think you're over analyzing this. I did outdoor massage under a tree (no overhead structure for cover) in the grass by the beach for about 2 years on a regular basis, in a humid environment (sometimes lightly raining) barefoot most of the time and never had a problem.

An event like that should be fun! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Hope<3]

HELP needed! Safe set up for sports massage outdoors

Even if a table is unstable, it's unlikely to actually TIP OVER. While it's not impossible, I think someone would have to jump on it pretty roughly, or you'd have to push it pretty hard (with someone on it) to tip it over. I think the biggest concern with table instability is that it might break if it's old or cracked, or if a very heavy person were to jump on it. You can also lower the table more than you usually would (especially since it's sports massage) to keep the center of gravity low to help ease this concern of yours.

Even if grass is a bit wet, it shouldn't be super slippery unless it's raining. Wear sneakers or some kind of shoe with some traction and you should be fine.

I do think you're over analyzing this. I did outdoor massage under a tree (no overhead structure for cover) in the grass by the beach for about 2 years on a regular basis, in a humid environment (sometimes lightly raining) barefoot most of the time and never had a problem.

An event like that should be fun! Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for the tips, Shiva. I guess as a newbie, I am just a little gun shy at the very thought of something happening. I was really only thinking that tipping might be a factor if the legs aren't sitting on the same plane because their is a slight hill or something (it's a very hilly park), with the addition of lots of leaning into the table. The table is in great condition; no cracks, instability, etc.

The grass should be OK to work on, I guess, but since it's early morning, it may be dewy. As a former New Mexican myself, I know there isn't a lot of grass there.

I hope all goes well and that the event is, indeed, as fun as I think it will be! Thanks again.

 

[Jamerson]

HELP needed! Safe set up for sports massage outdoors

The grass should be OK to work on, I guess, but since it's early morning, it may be dewy. As a former New Mexican myself, I know there isn't a lot of grass there.

As I said, I worked on a grassy beach for years so I am familiar with grass. I grew up in FL and lived in Hawaii.

She told you the ground would be even, so I would take her at her word. Maybe bring some cardboard or other accessories you could prop under a table leg if it's not quite even enough for good stability. (but if it's that uneven, your greater concern might be the client sliding off the table). The farthest I would go would be to emphasize to her that you need a pretty flat spot to set up at and offer to come early to help set up the tent in a place that would work for you, this way you can determine if you will be able to have some control over where it gets set up.

And this way if you emphasize that you cannot work safely without a flat spot, if she tries to set you up on the side of a hill or something you can remind her of what you stated as your needs. Also, they probably can't set up a tent without having a fairly even spot.

 

[Ashton L]

HELP needed! Safe set up for sports massage outdoors

I believe there is a post around here somewhere, but I can't locate it right now --- it has to do with using coffee cans for the legs of your table, or something similar to keep the table legs from getting damaged and giving you a better surface to work on.

I'll try to locate it. Maybe someone else knows the thread I am thinking about.

I've used plastic cups for a session that was in a very muddy spot outdoors. Fair... not perfect, as far as the cups were concerned... the table legs wanted to try and press through.


Here's a little info on one therapists experience in a stream:

My other favorite session was slightly more difficult to set up, but worth every bit of the labor. I placed plastic trash bags around the legs of me table and did a session while standing in a shallow slow moving stream in the wilderness area near Mt. Rainier, WA.

10/17/11 - typo

 

[Ashley]

HELP needed! Safe set up for sports massage outdoors

I believe there is a post around here somewhere, but I can't locate it right now --- it has to do with using coffee cans for the legs of your table, or something similar to keep the table legs from getting damaged and giving you a better surface to work on.

I'll try to locate it. Maybe someone else knows the thread I am thinking about.

I've used plastic cups for a session that was in a very muddy spot outdoors. Fair... not perfect, as far as the cups were concerned... the table legs wanted to try and press through.


Here's a little info on one therapists expereince in a stream:

My other favorite session was slightly more difficult to set up, but worth every bit of the labor. I placed plastic trash bags around the legs of me table and did a session while standing in a shallow slow moving stream in the wilderness area near Mt. Rainier, WA.

Excellent, Pueppi! Thanks for that. And, thanks again for the additional suggestions, Shiva, on reiterating that I need *not* to be on a hill.

I know my concerns may seem silly to you veterans, but like I said, I am new, and in school they really hammered home not doing anything silly that might cause a law suit. I am kinda Type A anyway (or, more of a "Metal" type in Five Element shiatsu theory, lol), so I play by the book. Need to learn sometimes to let go and take things as they come.

 

[Theo]

HELP needed! Safe set up for sports massage outdoors

Personally, I think it's a great question. We're happy you are here and hope you will tell us all about the experience too.

Found the thread: Relay for Life

I bring a lot of stuff, baby wipes, hand towel, hand sanitizer, face cradle covers. I have a few clear plastic frame signs on the table with my office info at a glance. I bring coffee cans for my table legs to protect them from dirt, dew or any mushy fields.