You may have heard of massages where therapists use their feet to massage clients. This technique is referred to as ashiatsu and is one of the many services we offer at Prana Endura. The Japanese word translates to foot pressure, with ashi meaning foot and atsu meaning pressure.
Some people might be apprehensive about ashiatsu, especially if they are imagining a massage therapist walking on the backs of their clients — it looks like it could be painful! We understand why people might feel this way. However, that’s simply not the case, and there are many benefits of ashiatsu massage. We’re going to cover the techniques, the benefits, and what to expect during a session.
What techniques are used?
During an ashiatsu massage, massage therapists utilize a few different techniques. Long, gliding strokes are used to lengthen the muscles, while slow, deep compressions are used to reduce inflammation.
What are the benefits of ashiatsu?
As with any massage, several benefits come from ashiatsu massage. This kind of massage is deeper than deep tissue massage. With the therapist’s body weight and use of the feet, they can penetrate deeper into the muscles in a way that isn’t possible with a regular table massage.
Here are some of the benefits:
- Relieved pain
- Reduced stress
- Increased flexibility
- Improved posture
- Boosted circulation
- Better sleep
- Better athletic performance
What to expect during a session
As with all modalities, your therapist will perform a full medical intake to ensure that Ashiatsu is appropriate for you. Contraindications for Ashiatsu include but are not limited to pregnancy, osteoporosis, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and anyone who has undergone breast augmentation in the last 9 months.
During the session, your therapist will enter wearing slippers that are only donned immediately after washing their feet. These slippers will be removed once the therapist mounts the table or Ashiatsu stool to ensure our feet are hygienic. The therapist will apply pressure using their feet while either sitting on a custom-made stool or standing on the edge of the table using bars attached to the ceiling for support. Most techniques applied are “one footed,” meaning the therapist keeps one foot on the table to support their body weight while the other applies pressure to the client’s body. This way, we have complete control over the amount of pressure being applied and can customize the session to the client’s comfort level.
Ashiatsu massage at Prana Endura
Ashiatsu is one of the many services we offer at Prana Endura. We offer sessions ranging from 30 to 120 minutes, and you can book a massage with Caitlin or Stephanie.