Ashiatsu is an ancient barefoot massage technique which applies very deep massage strokes on the human body without using any props. The technique is achieved by just bare feet, as its Japanese name suggests. Since the entire purpose is to feel the energy in the ground, many therapists prefer to not wear shoes or other footwear when doing Ashiatsu. Therapists generally recommend a firm, flat massage table to their clients, and they often have at least two adjustable bars fixed overhead to guarantee stability, for clients to grab onto.
In this technique, the therapist presses to the back of the customer's legs with her fingertips with slow, firm strokes. She alternates her hands from one leg to another, applying pressure to different regions of the back. The technique is done on both sides of the spine. The theory behind this technique is that by applying pressure to different areas of the spine, it is going to strengthen and relax the different muscles at the trunk, including the spinal cord, which offers the basis for all cardiovascular and nervous system functions. This technique is believed to improve circulation, increase lymphatic flow, increase the lymph gland's capacity, strengthen the immune system, balance the autonomic nervous system, relieve the tension and stress in the muscles and joints, and even reduce the symptoms of diabetes, asthma, fibromyalgia, cancer, headaches, high blood pressure, and other disorders.
Some Ashiatsu massage therapists use two overhead bars overhead, one for the neck area and one for the head/neck area. Other people prefer to just use the hands for the legs and feet. You can get started in Ashiatsu massage therapy by using the palms of your hands to gently grab the calves of your clients. If you're using a standard massage table, you might even want to position it at an angle so that you are able to observe the ankles of your clients.
You would like to employ slow, gentle pressure to the lower limbs of your clients. Your hands should be parallel to the floor, but not level, as your palms should be directed towards the ground. When applying pressure to the lower limbs of your Ashiatsu customers, make certain that your hands aren't moving too quickly, or your customer may feel pain. As your massage therapist places more pressure into the area where you are massaging, your clients may begin to feel tingling in their legs and feet.
Another technique used in Thai massage and Ashiatsu is called stretching. In Thai massage, when you hear the word stretching, it means to stretch out the muscles of the body and not to add weight to them. In a Swedish type of massage, when you hear the term Swedish, it means to tighten and contract tight muscles. If you have been doing your job as a massage therapist , chances are, you've developed a good rapport with a number of your clients. If you do not have this relationship with your clients, you ought to begin practicing asking your clients to do a series of stretching exercises.
Sweating can be very uncomfortable for the Ashiatsu therapist. To relieve this distress, your Ashiatsu school instructor will often place heavy gauze on the back of your hand, or place open-palm pressure on various parts of your palm. Using open-palm pressure is particularly helpful during sports massage. This type of Ashiatsu stroke is most effective when performed with light pressure, because it will help to relax the entire body. Another effective technique during sports massage is using downward facing knees. With this technique, the masseuse places his hands directly below the recipient's elbows, and with the direction of his feet, gently pulling the elbows backward toward the toes.
Deep tissue massages also help relieve pain because they increase circulation. Increased flow reduces swelling, tightens the muscles and ligaments and relieves tension. The therapeutic effect of Ashiatsu might not be experienced immediately but over time, as the muscles, tendons and ligaments become more elastic and elongated, increased blood circulation and mobility in the affected region improves. Massage therapist with a background in Ashiatsu may find the use of ultrasound machines beneficial to massage. While ultrasound machines aren't actually utilised in Ashiatsu, it is said that it helps the Ashiatsu practitioner as he manipulates the cells by using ultrasound waves. (meters are utilized to measure the pressure of the ultrasound waves, and an assortment of different pressure points are used by Ashiatsu therapists to perform different Ashiatsu techniques.)
It is important to note that there is not any specific order in which the Ashiatsu techniques are done. In any given session, the Ashiatsu practitioner performs these techniques in order, starting from the mind of their customer and moving downward. They may alternate back and forth between the two different styles. Every Ashiatsu style has its advantages and disadvantages. When these different styles are interchanged, it is possible to achieve far greater outcomes than if the practitioner were to perform all the Ashiatsu techniques in each of his or her own style.
