Ashiatsu – also known as Barefoot Shiatsu, Back Walking, or Gliding Feet Massage – is a type of barefoot bodywork where the practitioner uses the heel, sesamoid, arch, and/or whole plantar surface of the feet to give the massage. The name comes from the combination of two Japanese words: ashi, meaning “foot” and atsu, meaning “pressure.”
The technique uses deep strokes given with the massage therapists’ feet. It’s considered to be less stressful for the patient’s body than many other massage techniques because pressure from the feet is spread out over a wider area than it would be if applied by the fingers, heel of the hand, or elbow. Ashiatsu stimulates the circulatory system and targets the deepest layers of muscle, joints and bones, in order to provide relief of pain.
Ashiatsu barefoot massage is a holistic treatment that works on the mind, body and spirit, stimulating the body’s energy and enhancing one’s natural ability for self-healing. It is commonly used to treat dense muscle tissue problems and chronic pains, back and hip issues, as well as for deep relaxation.
