What is Ashiatsu Massage?
  Ashiatsu, (ashi means foot and atsu means pressure), is an ancient form of bodywork brought to us by Buddhist monks. Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, sometimes referred to as barefoot Shiatsu, is NOT performed on the floor mat through clothing. The therapist supports herself with wooden bars suspended from the ceiling while applying different foot strokes along the body.  Using the pressure of the therapist's feet on strategic points along the back and spine, a push-pull-pumping affect is created on the soft tissue that surrounds the muscles and inter-vertebral disc space.  We currently have two therapists who have been trained by Ruth Hardee, the leading authority and practioner of  Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy.  Through Hardee's extensive research this massage modality is now a well-documented, effective, non-surgical technique for the treatment of chronic lower back and neck pain, approved by the NCBTMB and recognized by the American Medical Association.

     Ashiatsu combines the best elements of traditional Thai massage, barefoot shiatsu from Japan and Keralite massage from southern India.

     My massage therapist, Lynn Graves, is a wonderfully intuitive therapist. I have regularly had a massage with her for 2 years. One of the wonderful things about a skilled therapist is that a relationship of trust develops. Lynn understands my feelings and needs without having to express them. She is wonderfully gifted with healing hands.

     Lynn shared that she was going to be attending a new class. She was very excited about this new technique, but I could hardly pronounce the name. Not being much of a risk taker, I thought…well that's nice, but I'm not very interested in changing my massage technique. Lynn offered to demonstrate Ashiatsu as a complimentary session, and I skeptically agreed. If it had not been the trust I had in her and her enthusiasm, I would not have agreed.

     Lynn knew that I needed deep muscle massage, and she said I would be a good candidate for Ashiatsu. As she stood on the table, hanging from bars secured to the ceiling, I was surprised at how gracefully she went to her work. Her feet performed very fluid, graceful, firm motions on my back, shoulders, and hips. I would not have thought it possible for her to discover the tense spots using her feet to massage as compared with her massage using her hands. The strength of her legs and feet helped to soothe the knots and tense areas of my muscles. I was pleasantly surprised. The next time I went in for my regular bi-weekly massage, Lynn did a combination of traditional massage therapy with her hands and Ashiatsu. This has worked out to be the perfect combination.

     My trust in Lynn comes from her kindness and giving spirit. On occasion, as Lynn senses my mood, she does a lighter, Swedish-type massage. She always seems to know exactly what will relax me and make me feel better. I'm so appreciative of her willingness to explore different therapies and increase her knowledge in this ever-healing therapy called massage.