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Feel the Heel of Ashiatsu Bar Massage Therapy

  • Writer: Natolie Bester
    Natolie Bester
  • Dec 16, 2021
  • 3 min read

Experience a barefoot massage technique in which I deliver a deeper than deep massage through the feet while supporting my body with overhead ceiling bars. A full body focused deep relief session of Ashiatsu delivers effective, intentional, consistent pressure while utilizing my hands, feet and body weight to provide slow moving broad pressured, strokes & myofascial stretch therapy techniques. Your muscles won’t need to clench from the pokey pain of elbows and fingers – they'll melt under the rounded surfaces of warm, smooth feet.


What is Ashiatsu?

In the Japenese language “Ashi” translates to foot and “Atsu” into pressure. Ashiatsu DeepFeet Bar Therapy, is a barefoot massage technique in which the therapist delivers deep, broad, consistent pressure while utilizing their feet and body weight. Working with gravity instead of against it, Ashiatsu therapists are able to provide an effective therapeutic massage without causing pain or discomfort to themselves or the receiving client.


Cream or oil is applied to the clients body making this deep therapeutic massage fluid and relaxing. Parallel bars are used above the massage table for balance, support & client safety.


Benefits of Ashiatsu



Deep Tissue Without Discomfort

If you are in need of deep tissue work, but don’t enjoy the discomfort that comes with pointy elbows and thumbs, then Ashiatsu Bar Therapy is the treatment for you! Gravity enables Ashiatsu therapists to deliver up to 3x deeper pressure than with traditional hands-on treatments. Utilizing the broad surface of your foot as your massage tool provides consistent pressure and contours nicely to the body. As a result clients will enjoy the same extra range of movement and decrease in chronic tension relief without having to endure painful strokes.




Frees Up Bundled Nerves

Movements along the para spinals and the lumbar region can relieve muscle spasms and open the intervertebral foramen (where spinal nerves pass through). It will give the nerves more space as well as increase circulation by bringing more freshly oxygenated blood to the area being treated.




Elongates Muscles and Detoxifies

Many Ashiatsu strokes help to elongate the spine. These movements dramatically stretch shortened muscles, which help in relieving pain and discomfort. These long fluid strokes also help flush the body’s lymphatic system, which releases metabolic waste at a very high rate. We recommend drinking plenty of water before and after a treatment to help with the detoxification process.




Improves Posture and Decreases Pain

After only a few treatments, Ashiatsu barefoot massage has been known to improve posture and range of motion. It will significantly reduce or eliminate chronic muscle pain, and improve bodily functions, which will create a higher sense of balance and well being within the body. Typically, one treatment a week for upwards of six weeks will produce these kinds of results.


Ashiatsu is not suitable for everyone:


Due to the compressive nature of Ashiatsu barefoot massage, therapists must take extra precaution with certain client conditions. This a just a hand full of conditions that would be contraindicated for receiving an Ashiatsu treatment. However, ​an your therapist will have full knowledge of all contraindications for Ashiatsu and how to best address their client needs.


  • Pregnancy or trying to conceive

  • High blood pressure

  • Recent injuries or surgeries

  • Contagious skin disorders

  • Compromised immune system

  • Acute liver or kidney disorders

  • Certain medications

  • Acute auto immune disorders

  • Recent surgical implants

  • Advanced Diabetes


Natolie was invited to learn Ashiatsu as part of an employment offer in 2017, she had already been performing Thai Massage for 6 years and had been having dreams of massaging people with her feet, it was meant to be! The modality fused into the already robust skillset she had and translates to a head to toe water dance of relief and release over the body.






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