A physical therapy table is a firm, padded treatment platform on which a physiotherapist assesses and treats patients. Types include portable folding PT tables, stationary wooden tables, electric hi-lo tables, mat tables and hand therapy tables. Choose by height adjustment method, foam firmness, width, working load and whether the table must travel.
What is a physical therapy table?
A physical therapy table, also called a PT table, treatment table or therapy table, is a firm padded platform on which a physiotherapist assesses and treats patients lying or sitting. Compared with spa tables, PT tables favour firmer foam, a stable frame and often a lifting backrest. They range from portable folding units to fixed wooden tables and electric hi-lo models.
The right choice depends on where the therapist works, which techniques they use and how patients get on and off the table. A sports physio doing home visits needs something very different from a busy outpatient clinic that sees elderly patients all day.
What types of physical therapy tables are there?
The table below summarises the main categories of physiotherapy tables and which ones Mars Industrial manufactures.
| Type | How height is set | Typical use | Made by Mars? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable folding PT table | Manual leg adjustment | Home visits, sports clubs, events | Yes |
| Stationary wooden therapy table | Fixed or manual | Clinic treatment rooms | Yes |
| Multi-section manual table | Manual, with lifting back or sections | Positioning for treatment and assessment | Yes |
| Hi-lo treatment table | Electric motor or actuator | Clinics with frequent patient transfers | No |
| Mat treatment table | Fixed, low and wide | Neuro rehab and floor-level exercise | No |
| Hand therapy table | Small fixed workstation | Hand and upper-limb therapy | No |
Mat treatment tables are wide, low platforms used for rolling, transfers and exercise, often in neurological rehabilitation. A hand therapy table is a compact workstation where patient and therapist sit across from each other. Both are specialist items outside our catalogue; buyers should source them from manufacturers that focus on rehab furniture.
Hi-lo treatment tables: what they do and why Mars does not make them
A hi lo treatment table, sometimes called a high low therapy table, uses an electric motor or actuator to raise and lower the whole top, often operated by a foot bar or hand control. The main benefits are real:
- Patients can sit on the table at a low height and be raised to working height, which helps with elderly, post-surgical and wheelchair-using patients.
- Several therapists of different heights can share the same room.
- The therapist can change height mid-session for different techniques.
They also bring trade-offs: higher purchase cost, heavier weight, a power supply in the room, electrical safety certification, and motors that eventually need service.
Mars Industrial does not make electric or hydraulic tables, so we do not sell hi-lo tables. If a clinic sees many patients who struggle to climb onto a table, an electric hi-lo model from a specialist supplier is usually the right purchase. For clinics where most patients are mobile, a manual height-adjustable table set to each therapist's height is a lower-cost, lower-maintenance alternative.
Adjustable treatment table options without a motor
A manual adjustable treatment table changes height through telescopic legs locked by knobs or pins. Height is set before the session rather than during it, but for many outpatient, sports and private practices that is enough.
Useful manual options in our range include:
- The Height-Adjustable Medical Folding Table, a beech-frame folding table with height adjustment and a listed 300 kg working load.
- The Acupuncture and Physiotherapy Treatment Table, an aluminum table with leg height adjustment and a lifting backrest, packed in a 97 × 20 × 73 cm carton.
- Stationary tables with a lifting backrest, which let patients sit semi-upright for assessment, breathing or upper-body work.
Wood frame or aluminum: which PT table suits your practice?
A professional physical therapy table with wood frame and a portable aluminum table both have a place in a clinic group.
| Model | Frame | Key spec | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST-110 High-End Fixed Wooden Physiotherapy Bed | Solid beech | Leg height + backrest adjustment | Main clinic rooms |
| WT-121 2-Fold Wooden Physiotherapy Bed, Firm Foam | Solid beech | 4 cm high-density firm foam | Manual therapy needing a firm surface |
| WT-123 Four-Fold Beech Wood Physiotherapy Bed | Solid beech | 4 sections | Positioning and storage |
| WT-119 Height-Adjustable Medical Folding Table | Solid beech | 300 kg working load | Mixed clinic and mobile use |
| AT-105 Acupuncture and Physiotherapy Treatment Table | Aluminum alloy | Leg height + backrest, 19 kg gross | Mobile clinicians |
Beech wood is rigid and quiet, and many clinics prefer its appearance. The High-End Fixed Wooden Physiotherapy Bed is designed for a permanent treatment room, and our full range of stationary treatment tables includes fixed beds with shelves and lifting backrests.
Aluminum is usually 2 to 4 kg lighter than an equivalent beech table, which is why it is the common choice for a portable physical therapy table used on home visits or at sports grounds. A portable PT table also lets one clinician cover several sites in a week without duplicating equipment.
What should you look for in a physio table?
Use this checklist when comparing physical therapy beds from any supplier.
- Foam firmness. Manual therapy usually needs a firmer surface than relaxation massage. Ask for foam density, not just thickness. The 2-Fold Wooden Physiotherapy Bed with Firm Foam uses 4 cm high-density foam for this reason; standard portable tables use 5 cm and stationary tables 6 cm.
- Width. 60 cm tables are easier to reach across; 70 or 76 cm tables feel more secure for larger patients and for side-lying positions.
- Height range. Confirm the lowest and highest settings and the number of steps.
- Working load. Typical portable tables are rated around 250 to 300 kg static load. Ask for the exact rating of the model you buy.
- Backrest and sections. A lifting backrest adds versatility for assessment and patients who cannot lie flat.
- Face hole or face cradle. Prone treatment is more comfortable with one or the other.
- Upholstery. PVC withstands frequent disinfection; PU feels softer.
- Footprint and storage. Folding tables free up multi-use rooms; fixed tables give the most stability.
For clinics, dealers and buyers of physical therapy tables for sale
Dealers supplying physical therapy tables for sale to clinics should check how their own market classifies therapy treatment tables. In some countries tables used in clinical settings fall under medical device rules with specific documentation. Our tables carry CE on many models and SGS-type test reports are available on request, but they are not sold as regulated medical devices, so confirm your local requirements first.
Commercial terms are straightforward: around 50 pcs per model, some models from a single sample, production in 25 to 35 days for standard specs, and a warranty of up to 2 years against manufacturing defects depending on the model. Spare parts are available for after-sales service.
If you are deciding between powered and manual tables, our electric vs hydraulic vs manual massage tables guide explains the trade-offs in more detail. Chiropractic buyers may also find the chiropractic table guide useful.
Need PT tables for a clinic group or distribution programme? Request a quote with your quantities, widths and colours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a physical therapy table and a massage table?
A physical therapy table usually has firmer foam, a sturdier frame and often a lifting backrest for assessment and manual therapy. A massage table is typically softer and designed for relaxation work. Many manual treatment tables serve both uses.
Does Mars make hi-lo treatment tables?
No. Hi-lo tables are electric, and Mars Industrial does not make electric or hydraulic tables. We offer manual height-adjustable and stationary treatment tables as lower-cost alternatives for clinics where patients can climb on easily.
What is a good width for a PT table?
Common widths are 60, 70 and 76 cm. Narrower tables are easier for the therapist to reach across, while wider tables feel more secure for larger patients and side-lying positions.
Is a portable PT table strong enough for clinical use?
Many portable tables are rated around 250 to 300 kg static working load, which suits most treatment. Always ask for the tested rating of the specific model and check stability on a sample.
Are your physiotherapy tables medical devices?
They are sold as treatment tables, not regulated medical devices. Many models carry CE and test reports are available on request, but buyers should confirm the rules in their own market.
