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I've been looking for professional use reviews of the Boiance face cradle by Oakworks. I haven't found much out there on the web. Anyone have anything to say about them?

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I have the memory crescent and was disappointed in it. The Boiance seems to be designed to correct some of the flaws in the other two face rests. The complaint I have about mine are that it is too small an opening giving a closed in feeling that gets worse as your face is in it. The memory foam causes it to become too warm.

 

Here is the page that shows all of them   http://www.oakworks.com/face-rests.asp

 

Anxious to know how anyone likes this new face rest.

There was a discussion about face cradles last year and there was mention of the Boiance, though not much info

 

http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/face-cradles?id=28...

The gel cushion in that discussion is interesting but it should have been made with velcro straps to hold in place. I think there was only one user of the Boiance in that thread.

Lee Edelberg said:

There was a discussion about face cradles last year and there was mention of the Boiance, though not much info

 

http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/face-cradles?id=28...

I also have the Boiance, but don't think there's too much difference except that it's thicker. When I made the switch, the only clients who said something were the ones who didn't like it b/c they think it's too soft and "fluffy".  For those clients I replace the face cradle cushion with my former Earthlite face rest that came with the Avalon table I bought 13 years ago (this last year I purchased a new table).The other downside is that many washable face cradle covers just barely fit it. So although there would be no lines on the face if they fit better, they don't and often, the client is still left with lines on their face.I also haven't noticed that clients are less stuffy in the Bioance than in the Earthlite one I was using.

 

I'm actually almost considering selling it.

 

You can probably just order the Bioance to try it out and then return it if you don't like it.

Thanks every one.

The "stuffy factor" is  my primary concern for my clients. I'm sure "less stuffy" would be preferable. Daniel, one reviewer online said that the Boiance so VERY heavy that it actually tears away from the metal cradle support when lowered to neutral position. (and that the shipping was nearly $20!)  Sounds like industrial strength velcro is needed!

Another said that the factory cover shifts around and causes pressure points on clients faces. Any problems with this aspect Rajam?

I hadn't previously thought that having more than one option for folks might be an advantage. I'll check with the supplier to make sure a return is possible, should it prove unsatisfactory.

I bought mine long enough ago that I bought it from the woman who invented it, before she sold it to Oakworks.  All of my clients say it's the best they've ever used, although stuffy is still a problem for some of them.  I've helped that lately with a drop of Eucalyptus essential oil on 2 cotton balls inside the face cradle cover back by the chin area.  

The velcro on mine is strong - I've never had an issue with it.  It sounds like Oakworks made some changes.

I just recently (in the last 3 weeks) tried these face cradle covers and they work very well: 

http://www.sewandsewonline.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&id=1...

My clients also like it as a neck support when they are supine.

Hope that helps!

Theresa, that is a good point about supine head support. My Memory Crescent also makes a very good raised head support when supine. It eliminates pillows many people ask for to raise the head and works better than rolled towels. It allows easy neck and back of head access.

Therese Schwartz said:

I bought mine long enough ago that I bought it from the woman who invented it, before she sold it to Oakworks.  All of my clients say it's the best they've ever used, although stuffy is still a problem for some of them.  I've helped that lately with a drop of Eucalyptus essential oil on 2 cotton balls inside the face cradle cover back by the chin area.  

The velcro on mine is strong - I've never had an issue with it.  It sounds like Oakworks made some changes.

I just recently (in the last 3 weeks) tried these face cradle covers and they work very well: 

http://www.sewandsewonline.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&id=1...

My clients also like it as a neck support when they are supine.

Hope that helps!

Doh!  I hadn't thought of working on people with the face cradle in place!  I always take it out and then struggle to hold their heads up to do suboccipitals.  I will try that!  Thanks!
I have been using Boiance for a year now and all my clients say they can breath better, and they love the softness, less pressure on the sinuses. The velcro is definately a problem. It creates a god aweful noise when the turnover happens. I have to take off the headrest, or lower down completely in order to fit comfortably working due to my small space. I have tried earthlite standard headrests and also used mastercraft and earthlite caress. Boiance has surpassed them all with client feedback for me.  I will be getting some velcro soon for sure! Oh, I use disposable drape covers, and they work fine, otherwise I have not found any covers that fit well. Sorry for my typos, cant find my glasses!!

Jennifer wrote: "Another said that the factory cover shifts around and causes pressure points on clients faces. Any problems with this aspect Rajam?"

 

Jennifer, I haven't noticed to cover shifting. I also take the entire unit out of the table when the client turns supine, so I haven't had to notice whether or not the velcro holds. It is a heavy face rest though. I use my former Earthlite face rest turned around to place under the clients neck. Over that, I usually place a towel that's been warmed up in one of my towel warmers--- now that's something I get lots of comments on from clients!

 

I got a massage on my table and hardly ever get stuffy and I was stuffy in the Bioance face rest, that's why I'm thinking of selling it. I still get clients who are stuffy but not as much, but I think it's the fact that I have the head portion of the table raised a notch higher than the feet portion & that I've moved from an office with wall to wall carpet into one with hardwood flooring. Only after both those incidents have I noticed a decrease in stuffiness. I didn't notice any difference when I began using the Bioance face rest, which was several months after I moved into the office with hardwood flooring.

 

You're going to hear a lot of varying opinions. I think the best way to know if you'll like it or not is to try it out yourself. That goes for any product, really.

Thanks for your immediate replies everyone. (I've been out of town, followed by a CE workshop).

OK. I'll take the plunge, and I'll try head support with the cradle too! Great idea. ("Duh", as Theresa said : D)

Hi Jennifer,

I was in the discussion last year and have been using the Bioance ever since (1+ year). All but one of my clients like it better than my old face cradle, including those with the worst sinus conditions. It does seem to leave less impressions on client's faces.  It is bigger than my old face cradle (which I've kept for that one client) and completely fills most fitted face cradle covers. It's also noisy when you take it off, as folks have mentioned, but that may or may not affect you (I pull the whole thing out when clients flip over). You also need to use their recommended method of cleaning or the leather drys out and cracks. Overall, I've been happy. Good luck!

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