ASHIATSU! It may sound like a sneeze, but in fact it is a whole lot more enjoyable. Ashiatsu means “foot pressure” in Japanese, and is a type of massage therapy in which the practitioner uses their feet to perform treatments. When performed by a Registered Massage Therapist, it is a fusion of several traditional forms of barefoot massage, adapted to North American standards. Ashiatsu's history spans several continents and has been widely used for more than 2,000 years. There are many different schools of barefoot massage in India, Thailand, Japan, China and in many other Eastern countries. Before we had massage tables, having the client lie on the floor was an easier way to give treatments. Now that we have access to comfortable tables, it is possible to adapt the table to continue to experience the benefits of barefoot massage therapy. Either the table can have the legs removed, to lower it to ground level, or the therapist has bars on the ceiling to hold them up on the table. The version that is available near Old Ottawa East is the former, where the table is on the floor, and I have an aerial silk so that I can vary the pressure that is applied, as full body weight is not always necessary. It is possible to do a light relaxation version of Ashiatsu, though it is, of course, excellent for deep tissue work.
Ashiatsu strokes are compressive, broad, consistent and flowing; giving the sensation of being massaged by very large hands. Using the feet enables me to deliver varying therapeutic levels of pressure, leaving tissues feeling energized, yet deeply relaxed. The broad, rounded surfaces of the foot allow me to apply greater pressure, without causing the tissue damage and consequent pain that can occur from a deep tissue massage using bony prominences like elbows or fingers. There is often the view of “no pain, no gain” but I believe that there are many ways to treat muscle tension. It is possible to release the muscle in a way that can feel good, and be effective. See the footnotes on how to experience Ashiatsu.
When performing conventional massage therapy I have always found that I prefer being barefoot. I feel that I have a better grip and a more grounded stance. I have also found that this makes it possible to spend hours on my feet, without the aches that I got from wearing shoes during treatments. When I learnt that there was more that I could do with my feet, I researched it further and hoofed it over to the Canadian Institute of Ashiatsu Massage Therapy. It is the only one in Canada, fortunately for me based in Almonte. My classmates were from all over the country. Last year I had taught massage therapy at a college in Ottawa, so it was good to receive some training. It felt like a retreat!
As the foot and leg are stronger than the hand and arm, there is less of a restriction on how many clients I can treat in a week, compared to regular massage therapy. Ashiatsu provides all the benefits of massage therapy; such as relieving muscle tension, improving circulation, decreasing anxiety, improving sleep and increasing flexibility, and yet, is massage like you have never experienced it before!
Comentários