Shiatsu & Ashiatsu

Shiatsu

Shiatsu therapy is a unique, non-invasive manual therapy from Japan that stimulates the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Literally translated, the word shiatsu means “finger pressure.” This therapy style involves the systematic application of pressure, using the thumbs primarily, to different points on the soft tissues of the body in order to assess and treat a variety of conditions. Shiatsu treatments have a regulatory influence on the body’s autonomic nervous system, thereby improving organ function and reducing muscle tension.

Ashiatsu

Ashiatsu is a variation of the Shiatsu Massage technique where the therapist applies pressure to the body using their feet, rather than fingers or hands, so it is often called “barefoot Shiatsu.” The therapist supports herself with wooden bars hanging from the ceiling while applying various foot strokes along the body. This barefoot massage technique uses deep compression effleurage strokes that glide over the body. Benefits are the relief of pain from chronic soft tissue damage and deep relaxation while stretching chronic short muscles of the body. This technique creates a “push, pull, pumping” effect on the intervertebral disc space and can relieve irritation on the spinal nerve.