Reiki End Plates vs Standard End Plates: Difference and Comparison

End plates are something to be fitted at the head and foot of a massage table. They help keep the table steady during a massage as they provide structural support. Moreover, they help keep the legs in position even under heavy pressure or load.

Nowadays, there is great diversity in the end plate market for massage tables. However, it can be agreed upon that reiki end plates, and standard end plates are used by masseuses worldwide.

Key Takeaways

1. Reiki end plates feature symbols practitioners use to channel energy, while standard end plates lack these symbols.
2. Reiki end plates support the spiritual practice of energy healing, whereas standard end plates serve a purely functional purpose.
3. Reiki practitioners prefer Reiki end plates for their massage tables, while standard end plates cater to a wider range of professionals.

Reiki End Plates vs Standard End Plates

Reiki end plates are uniquely designed to accommodate reiki massage tables to make the customers more comfortable, and they are thick but not really stable. Standard end plates are specifically made for massage tables on which complex sessions are performed, and they are very stable.

Reiki end plates are specifically made for massage tables on which reiki massages are carried out. These kinds of massages are for the head and foot.

So, the masseuse must sit while giving one to a client. For this, reiki end plates provide ample leg room so that masseuses can place their legs under the table comfortably.

Standard end plates are made for those tables on which vigorous massages are carried out. For example, sports massages are quite aggressive.

A masseuse must be in a standing position while giving one of these. By dint of this, standard end plates do not accommodate any room under the massage table for legs to fit.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Reiki End Plates	Standard End Plates
Uses	Reiki end plates are made for reiki massage tables.	Standard end plates are made for massage tables on which vigorous massages are performed.
Design	The end plates are designed like a ‘U’ shape.	The end plates are designed like an ‘X’ (have a cross-shaped structure).
Space	Reiki end plates accommodate ample legroom for a masseuse to sit comfortably.	Standard end plates do not accommodate space below the massage table. So, a masseuse needs to stand while using them.
Comfort	Reiki end plates allow masseuses to stretch their legs comfortably.	Standard end plates are not as comfortable as the former, because the masseuse must stand up relentlessly while using them.
Thickness	Reiki end plates are thicker as compared to the latter.	Standard end plates are not as thick as reiki end plates.
Stability	Reiki end plates are not very stable.	Standard end plates are strong and stable.

What is Reiki End Plates?

Reiki massages are a tedious task for a masseuse, although they must be executed while sitting. Most of them include massaging the head and foot.

For this, reiki end plates are specially designed to accommodate legroom for masseuses. This allows them to stretch their legs comfortably.

Reiki end plates are made in the shape of a ‘U’ that is upside down. This allows enough room for a masseuse’s knees to be slid underneath the table.

These endplates are structured in such a way that they provide good stability to the massage table. The design is thick, and the material is durable, even more than standard end plates.

Moreover, with so much free space, reiki plates make a client or patient very accessible to the masseuse.

While massaging, there is a lot of pressure applied, which may add to the load that is already on the table. The arch of the reiki end plates supports the table in such a way that it can handle this pressure with utmost convenience.

Reiki massages are 30 to 90 minutes long. By allowing the masseuse to sit comfortably throughout the process, these end plates also minimize the risk of tired muscles.

The masseuse can use a comfortable stool or chair and perform a massage without any pain or strain.

What is Standard End Plates?

Standard end plates are made for those massage tables on which vigorous sessions are performed. Compared to reiki end plates, these are stronger and accommodate better stability.

However, standard end plates do not leave any space under the table. This means that the masseuse has to stand for the entire time of the massage.

The structure of standard end plates ensures that the table does not rock during a massage session. The design is cross-shaped.

For better understanding, the shape of standard end plates is similar to that of an ‘X’. This strengthens the massage table to a greater extent.

A good example to talk about to understand the stability aspect is ‘sports massages’. During a sports massage, the masseuse has to get on top of the table along with the patient or client.

Sometimes, it could even be two masseuses. In such cases, a strong table with steady legs is required.

Standard end plates help to keep the legs of the massage table steady. This ensures that they will not fall apart during a massage and ruin the entire process.

The ‘X’ shape provides maximum support to all the legs of the table, ensuring that they remain strong even with extra weight and pressure applied to them. 

Main Differences Between Reiki End Plates and Standard End Plates

1. Reiki end plates are made for reiki massages, while standard end plates are made for aggressive and vigorous massages.
2. Reiki end plates are ‘U’ shaped, while standard end plates are ‘X’ shaped.
3. Reiki end plates accommodate ample leg room, while standard end plates do not.
4. Reiki end plates are thicker than the latter and more comfortable for the masseuse.
5. Reiki end plates are not as strong as standard end plates.
6. Reiki end plates provide lesser stability to the massage table than standard end plates.

References

1. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2017.0409
2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=xFZPQtontdUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA73&dq=massage+tables&ots=45ghsM1q2t&sig=rZzWrlE47tL2YKwV-QIUVZ63yxw