Barefoot Massage or Ashiatsu is a massage that involves applying the practitioner’s feet instead of the hands or arms to the patient’s body. In Japanese, ashi means foot and atsu means pressure, so it literally translates as foot pressure.

During this technique the therapist applies deep, wide and consistent pressure while using the feet and body weight, by working with gravity rather than against it, therapists are able to provide effective therapeutic massage without causing pain or discomfort to themselves or the receiving client. Cream or oil is applied to the client’s body making this deep therapeutic massage fluid and relaxing.
Having your back stepped on won’t be intense or painful because the therapists have complete control over how your body is treated, and the massage is tailored to your needs, just like a deep tissue or Swedish massage. Barefoot massage is performed on a massage table or massage mat on the floor. You will likely be asked to lie on your stomach for most of the session, with some time face up.

Gravity allows Barefoot massage therapists to apply pressure up to 3 times deeper than traditional manual treatments. Utilizing the broad surface of your foot as your massage tool, it provides consistent pressure and pleasant body contours. As a result, clients will enjoy the same extra range of motion and decreased chronic tension relief without having to endure painful blows.
Movements along the paraspinals and lower back can relieve muscle spasms and open the intervertebral foramina (where spinal nerves pass through). This will give more space to the nerves, as well as increase circulation, bringing more oxygenated blood to the area to be treated.
Many Barefoot Massage movements help to lengthen the spine. These movements dramatically lengthen the shortened muscles, which helps relieve pain and discomfort. These long flowing strokes also help flush out the body’s lymphatic system, which flushes out metabolic waste at a very high rate. We recommend drinking plenty of water before and after a treatment to help with the detoxification process.

Benefits:

• • • • Improves posture and decreases pain.
      • Improves range of motion.

      • Significantly reduces or eliminates chronic muscle pain.

Contraindications:

• • • • Pregnancy or trying to conceive.
      • High pressure.
      • Recent injuries or surgeries.
      • Contagious skin disorders.
      • Compromised immune system.
      • Acute liver or kidney disorders.
      • Acute autoimmune disorders.
      • Recent surgical implants.
      • Advanced Diabetes.