Before every massage, practitioners wash their hands. Ashiatsu is no different. Before every massage, the feet are cleaned and sanitized. Ashiatsu practitioners take great care at work and home to help maintain soft, clean feet. If you think about it, your feet are more hygienic than your hands. Hands touch a lot of things in [...]
You should expect the same amount of specific, detailed work you would receive during a traditional or deep tissue massage. An ashiatsu massage is still tailored to meet each individual client’s needs. Need extra time on your shoulders, low back, or legs? That can be done.
The bars above the massage table are used to help the practitioner maintain balance. They help insure smooth and consistent pressure during the massage. They are not to hang and swing on.
No. Most practitioners keep one foot on the massage table and the other is used to massage the client. Just imagine a traditional massage session, but instead you are trading the massage professional’s hands for their feet.
No. You should never be uncomfortable during a massage. If you feel discomfort during a massage (ashiatsu or not), speak up. A massage professional needs, and wants, to know. People who desire deep tissue massage often report less pain from ashiatsu. This is attributed to the increased (broad) surface area of the foot. Pressure from [...]
Ashiatsu is not for everyone. As with any massage, certain contraindications exist. Inform your massage professional about any health conditions or medications prior to your massage session.
It is common for people to assume that ashiatsu is synonymous with deep tissue massage. However, ashiatsu can range from light to very deep pressure. The amount of pressure given will be tailored to the client’s preference. The overhead bars are there to help the massage professional regulate pressure, deep or light. For clients who [...]
The benefits of ashiatsu are the same as most other massage techniques. Massage has been shown in multiple studies to reduce stress and provide pain relief. Ashiatsu allows the massage professional to use consistent pressure, compression, and gravity to their advantage. Ashiatsu is great for those who enjoy deep pressure, but pressure can range from [...]
Ashiatsu is derived from Eastern forms of massage, but has been adapted to imitate the Western forms of massage (Swedish, Deep Tissue) most Americans are familiar with receiving. Ashiatsu combines elements of Thai Massage, Shiatsu (Japan), and Keralite/Chavutti Thirummal massage (India), but with a modern touch.
During an ashiatsu massage, a practitioner skillfully uses their feet in lieu of their hands to apply pressure. With the exception of the abdomen, face and scalp, an ashiatsu massage is completed using the massage practitioner’s feet. Before the massage, the therapist will warm, cleanse, and sanitize their feet. Ashiatsu is performed on a standard [...]
