Posted on May 4, 2009 in Latest News
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar therapy, developed by Ruthie Piper Hardee in the 90s’, is one of the most recently adapted massage therapies. It is a modified form of ashiatsu barefoot massage (ancient technique) combined with Western techniques. ‘Ashi’ means foot and ‘atsu’ means pressure. The therapy adopts elements of diversified massage techniques – Japanese Shiatsu, India’s Keralite massage and Thai massage.
In Ashiatsu Oriental Bar therapy, the therapist holds herself from a bar (fixed on the ceiling) and gives massage with the feet. The therapy gives deep tissue massage to the strategic points along the body and spine through maximum muscle compression. Since pressure is evenly distributed over a large area, this therapy can have relaxing effect on the muscles and nerves without causing pain.
In a typical session, the patient removes as much clothing as he is comfortable with and lies in prone position on a massage table. The therapist then climbs up the table and using the flat bottom of the foot, she stretches the taut muscles. The smaller areas are addressed using the balls of her foot.
The therapy can particularly help large muscular people, those with scoliosis, back or neck pain, sciatica, spondylosis, etc.
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar therapy is considered extremely effective in treating chronic backache. Pressure is given along the paraspinal and lumbar region of the spine with a single foot or double feet strokes to treat muscle spasms. Compression movement is also suggested to open the intervertebral foramen. This can ease off pressure and alleviate pain from the nerves, thereby healing chronic backache.
Experts suggest that within 24 hours of receiving Ashiatsu Oriental Bar therapy, one might consider taking a warm shower or bath and gently stretching himself. Warm shower can further help in muscle relaxation. One may also consider drinking plenty of water to replace the water loss caused due to sweating.
