History and Benefits of Ashiatsu

Ashiatsu therapy or also known as foot pressure in Japanese is a traditional form of therapeutic massage practiced by Asian people as a form of alternative medical care. It bases its principles in the ancient Chinese medicines which uses a combination of herbal medicines, diet and meditation.

In its traditional version, ashiatsu is conducted by the therapist where the patient is fully clothed and lying on the floor. The massage therapist then uses his or her bodyweight to apply pressure on the different areas of the body. During the therapy, the practitioner supports and controls his or her weight with the aid of a bar that is suspended from the ceiling. Without the bar, proper control and manipulation of applied pressure is impossible for the therapist to perform.

In the 1990s, massage therapist Ruthie Hardee developed her own version of ashiatsu which was a derivative from the traditional form of the therapy. Hardee's success was by mere discovery when she was too tired to finish her last session; she used her foot to perform massage strokes instead of using her hands. Conventional massage therapy is quite demanding and exhausting for the therapist as it requires too much bending and whole body movement. Ashiatsu on the other hand is quite relaxing for the therapist as gravity helps a lot in providing the necessary pressure required for specific treatments. However, her development excludes the use of herbal medicines, diet and meditation as she focuses more on the relaxing effect rather than the medical benefits of the therapy. Her version requires the patient though to be naked during the session which is quite hesitating for some clients. However, the patient has the liberty of using a loose towel during the session which covers his or her private parts.

Both traditional and Hardee's version of ashiatsu contributes greatly with amazing benefits to the patient's medical condition. These two forms of ashiatsu therapy targets the pressure points of the body using applied pressure with the foot in an acupressure type of treatment. As an oriental massage therapy type, it is common to have this principle especially that the traditional form is rooted on the traditional Chinese medicine.

In addition to the treatment on the meridian of the body, Swedish massage therapy and effleurage are used during the therapy session to help release tension within the deep muscle tissues. Continuous strokes using the foot and some hand, knee, and elbow massage techniques are effective in calming and energizing the body. Aside from soothing the whole body, it also works best in repairing, strengthening and conditioning the body of the patient. Body pains are addressed and completely relieved after sessions of this therapy which makes it popular for athletes. It is also effective in improving circulation within the human body which helps maintain physical wellness. Aside from the physical benefits received from ashiatsu, emotional effects such as the setting of good mood, heightened awareness of emotional processes, relief from anxiety and depression and good sleeping pattern. These benefits and effects are quickly felt right after a therapy session.