In mid August I was surprised with an interview from Jane Bianchi for her upcoming article she planned to write on Ashiatsu. I was so honored that she found me and wanted to speak with me to get the facts straight. Over the next few days, she and I went over the details and history of Ashiatsu – why we do it, what’s it about, where to find it – and I ultimately referred her to the founder of Ashiatsu, Ruthie Hardee, since the author didn’t even know Ruthie had anything to do withthis, so I connected the two women for the final definitive answers. She also poked the brain of Dr Paul Christo, MD, (“associate professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and host of Aches and Gains, a national radio show dedicated to overcoming pain, reducing stress and living healthfully”) who had great, supporting things to say about Ashiatsu.
You can read it online at Dr Oz’s new website, The Good Life,
but I also saved a PDF article here on my website, easy for you to print out and share with your friends, colleagues and clients.
The article came out earlier than expected, and hit the web yesterday. I’m
very proud and honored to be used as a resource for such a great article that will help educate the public on the benefits of barefoot massage and expose them to Ashiatsu and FasciAshi as an option for their pain management and self care. Ruthie has given the massage profession, and their clients, a HUGE breakthrough in bodywork through all her hard work bringing her vision of “the deepest, most luxurious massage on the planet” into fruition, I’m just excited to help continue that growth with our FasciAshi instructor team at the Center for Barefoot massage, and the unending wave of footprints from our graduates.
The huge number of shares, “likes” and views to this piece is just phenomenal, I’m SO excited for the growing field of barefoot massage therapy to have this opportunity to be presented on such a respected public source.
Here’s a quote!
The Difference Between Ashiatsu and Other Massages
As you might guess, an Ashiatsu massage goes extra deep — much deeper than the common Swedish massage and even deeper than a deep tissue massage.
“Gravity and the therapist’s body weight behind it helps us penetrate below the superficial layers of tissue, and because we use our feet instead of fingers, it doesn’t feel ‘pokey,'” Spring says.
A therapist might use the flat surface of the foot, as well as the ball, heel, side of the foot or base of the big toe. The therapist will typically perform a full-body massage, but if a client prefers to focus on one particular muscle group, the therapist may be able to customize the massage.
Who Benefits from Ashiatsu Massages
Spring recommends Ashiatsu for people who have chronic pain in their muscles as well as people who have range-of-motion problems.
“Athletes may be the best candidates. They tend to have tense, tight muscles, and their strong bodies can withstand the increase in pressure,” says Paul Christo, MD…
Thanks to everyone who contributed, as well as to everyone who reads and shares this article, as we leave a larger Ashiatsu footprint on the world!
Jeni Spring has been an Ashiatsu teacher since 2008, and is the owner of Heeling Sole Barefoot Massage & Yoga in San Antonio, Texas. She rides scooters and chugs salted caramel coffee.
Jeni Spring, LMT, LMP, MTI
Heeling Sole 