Hi
I've been a reflexologist for many years and have always used a couch.
I'm now moving. The space I'll have available, will necessitate me now using a Lafuma.
I know they sell extra wide ones, but they're also higher, and I was hoping to avoid this option. My concern was whether the standard size are comfy for clients who are obese. Can they actually get in it?
As this has never been something I've had to worry about with a couch, what's been your experience?
And how do you actually find working with a Lafuma compared with a couch?
Thanks guys x
susann
I am a larger lady (size 20 on a thin day and around 14.5 stones) and have to say that when I visit my reflexologist, and negotiate her Lafuma, I'm always a bit 'nervous'. Once I'm in, I'm in and invariably need a bit of a 'hoist' to get off it again! I also need a rolled towel, or two small pillows under my elbows, as they feel a bit 'pinched' by the arm rests. Have you tried the wider chair yourself? It may raise an eyebrow or two, but it may be worth taking a freind along to a shop that stocks them to do a bit of a User Survey before you invest!
(I am also a therapist)
I have a standard width Lafuma, padded canvas fabric for personal use. I'm 5'6" 2 stone overweight & hypersensitive due to a neurological condition. Because I have an unusually wide skeleton my thighs & upper arms rest on the lacing, so it becomes a bit painful after a few minutes necessitating plenty of extra padding. As with the previous respondent I do find the arm rests have insufficient padding.
If I'd been able to trial the chairs I would have chosen the wide, most padded version even though it is quite a lot more expensive.
By the way, it is almost impossible to lower oneself into the chair gradually on account of the position of the front frame being exactly where the feet need to be. As the feet are further forward than when sitting down in a standard chair I tend to sit down with a bump. This causes wear on the lacing so it need replacing qiute often; in my case within 6 months. ( Apart from my wide frame I am proportionate. )
I hope this helps you decide which version to buy.
I have to say that most of my clients say that my Lafuma chair is really comfortable, much more so than a couch. My problem is not so much the clients comfort but mine....... Being 5'11" I find that I cannot get a stool that goes low enough to feel totally comfortable with the foot level of the client. I manage, but that's about it. I find it much more comfortable and feel that I give a better treatment if the client is on my couch.
Snitchley
So it would seem that the standard Lafuma's perfect if the therapist and client are 'standard' too!
There's a garden centre, not TOO far away from me, who actually stock both the standard and XL version, so I guess I'll go take a look.
Really need to take in my therapist chair with me too.......ha! Gardening never looked so cool! :D:D
Susann, I'm not a reflexologist, but I have a lafuma as I have larger clients who come for hypnosis. I have the larger chair, I find that taller people struggle with it a bit, but overall I haven't had too many complaints. I will say one bigger lady she found it a bit hard to get out of, but said it was very comfortable otherwise.
The main benefit for me is the chair is portable so I can take it to whichever place I'm working at in a carry case I bought. If that's not such a consideration for you, then perhaps a more permanent chair/ couch might be the answer.
Good luck with the garden centre!
I use an extra wide extra long Lafuma - well worth the extra money!!!
Im a bit of heiffer myself, and I use it when I have treatments - comfort all the way! Id never fit in a standard one, as Im bigger than jabba says they are....the foot end comes up higher for working too......
have fun trying them out!
I use a standard Lafuma and have only had problems with an occassional client who is either very tall or very large but even then have always managed ok. Many of my clients are heavily pregnant and they always find it very comfortable, I've even had clients lying on their side in the chair without problems.
I must admit though that I think I will probably go for the larger size when I eventually upgrade. I do use a couch when I work at the clinic and again at the hospital, I tend to find the couch less flexible with regards to positioning of the clients feet depending on their height, however they do have the advantage of not worrying about a clients weight.
Good luck with your lafuma testing! Tracey 🙂