Many people who are constantly on the go or work in stressful or physical jobs can benefit from the incredible effects of massages. While many are content with a traditional massage, others find it is necessary to try a deeper method to target pain and discomfort. This is where ashiatsu massage benefits come into play.
What is Ashiatsu Massage?
Ashiatsu is a massage technique dating back 2000 years that involves the application of the therapist’s feet — rather than the hands — to a client’s body. In Japanese, ashi means foot, and atsu means pressure, making the literal translation “foot pressure.”
We perform this type of massage on a standard massage table, with our therapists using ceiling-mounted bars and ashiatsu straps for balance and control during the treatment.
During an Ashiatsu massage, our therapists use their bare feet to deliver deep compression, long gliding strokes, and/or assisted stretching to loosen any knots. The force of the therapist’s body weight behind each of the strokes allows for a depth of massage that is not possible using the hands alone.
Top 4 Ashiatsu Massage Benefits
While the benefits are endless, below are the top four reasons to consider when scheduling an appointment.
1. Reduced Chronic Pain
As a deep tissue compression massage, Ashiatsu massage is incredibly effective in chronic pain reduction because it goes below the surface layers, manipulating the deeper layers of soft tissue.
The pressure being applied boosts circulation, which has the effect of reducing the kind of inflammation often associated with chronic pain. Furthermore, it allows for the release of connective tissues, which are responsible for much discomfort people typically feel. This makes it possible for realignment to occur.
This type of massage is particularly suitable for easing long-term back pain associated with poor posture, muscle strain, or degenerated or bulging discs.
2. Lower Overall Discomfort Than Deep Tissue
With traditional deep tissue massage, the fingers and elbows are utilized to apply pressure to the muscles. The sharpness, due to their smaller size, can often lead to discomfort and even bruising because of broken blood vessels.
Ashiatsu massage, on the other hand, can deliver up to three times more pressure, but without the associated soreness. In fact, Ashiatsu massage actually feels much gentler overall than other kinds, but with the enhanced benefit of going much deeper.
All this means that you will be able to get the relief you need without first experiencing more pain, for an overall more relaxing, and stress-free experience.
This also helps the massage therapist too because many massage therapists develop strain from bending over their clients and using their arms for deep work. Ashiatsu massage utilizes gravity as a helper, with the massage therapist using the whole body as a tool — rather than just the arms. This can reduce work-related injuries for the massage therapist.
3. Improved Flexibility
The therapist’s body weight uses long, deep strokes and can be effective in both broadening and lengthening the muscle fibers. Doing this in both directions has the effect of loosening up the muscles and restoring the body’s natural flexibility.
Ashiatsu massage is particularly good for the iliotibial band (ITB), a thick band of tissue on the outside part of the leg from the hip to the knee. This is important for athletes especially as they are constantly moving and on their feet. Having greater flexibility in the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and ITB means they have greater range of motion and will be less prone to injury.
4. Longer Lasting Effects
Ashiatsu is excellent for those looking for a deep, effective, and relaxing massage. And, since this is a more intense form of treatment, the benefits can be felt for much longer. For this reason, it is best to allow your body to rest after your session.
After rest has occurred, effects of this therapy include increased circulation, a switch into parasympathetic nervous system, an increase in good hormones, and a decrease in stress hormones, which enhances overall health alongside promoting feelings of wellbeing.
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If you would like to experience these ashiatsu massage benefits for yourself, we recommend scheduling a 90-minute massage today through our online booking platform. And as always, if there are questions or concerns about this method, please contact our team today.
