Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage & why 95% of my Massage clients come for this treatment
Just in case you were a little curious about barefoot massage…here’s the skinny. It was something that I gravitated to almost 20 years ago when I first started my massage career. I had a ton of clients that LOVED deep pressure work. I always felt like I was hurting my thumbs, hands, and wrists trying to deliver the pressure that people wanted. With that said, I think the massage was compromised as I wasn’t comfortable in the delivery. Uncomfortable delivery very often equals uncomfortable results right?
I came across an article on Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage in a magazine and the moment I saw it, I absolutely NEEDED to learn it immediately. I have a little bit of an intensity to me and I tend to delve into things that fascinate me with an obsession (pluto conjunt my sun for all the astro addicts out there). So I signed up for the next Ashiatsu training that I found with Ruthie Hardee and flew down to Florida for it.
Needless to say, it was a game changer for me and my clients. The next 20 years of my massage career would be based around this modality. I was able to deliver the pressure that my clients desired and instead of hurting my body, it actually felt good for me. I use my complete body weight to massage with feet. It is done, just like any other massage on a table with deep tissue massage cream. As a recipient, I always likened it to a REALLY deep Swedish massage, in that it flows so nicely. The strokes can be long, flowy and deep. It is not at all painful. I think deep tissue work done with the hands is more painful because it’s delivered with the thumb or elbow which tend to be pointy. The foot is such a flat surface that the pressure is delivered evenly and pain free. I can take my weight off at any point and adjust the pressure as per the clients needs. Because we are using the weight of our body, it is effortless for the massage therapist to deliver this deep tissue work which makes it feel so much nicer for the recipient.
My clients have had amazing results with it over the years. So much so that they don’t ask for any other type of massage. From neck and back pain to sciatica and leg issues, clients have found major relief with this unique deep tissue massage. At this stage, I don’t deliver deep tissue unless I’m using my feet so I don’t hurt my body. This delivers the pressure they want…It feels amazing and they have awesome results. ALSO its important to note, I don’t ONLY do Ashiatsu. I melt many different types of massage into each session depending on what the client needs. We may only do the barefoot massage on the back where the client wants the deepest work and move to other types of massage for the rest of the body.
If you've never tried this type of massage, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Its super amazing and deeply relaxing. You may never want to go back. If your a Massage Therapist and your contemplating learning this modality, go for it. Do yourself a favor and save your hands.
xo
Tiffany
