Traditional Japanese Approaches of Acupressure and Massage
Ashiatsu is an ancient barefoot massage technique which applies very deep massage strokes on the human body without using any props. The technique is done by just bare feet, as its Japanese name suggests. Since the whole purpose is to feel the energy in the ground, many therapists prefer not to wear shoes or other footwear when doing Ashiatsu. Therapists generally recommend a firm, flat massage table to their customers, and they often have at least two adjustable bars fixed overhead to ensure stability, for customers to grab onto.
In this technique, the therapist presses into the rear of the customer's legs with her fingertips using slow, firm strokes. She alternates her hands from one leg to another, applying pressure to different regions of the back. The technique is done on each side of the spine. The concept behind this technique is that by applying pressure to different areas of the spine, it will strengthen and relax the different muscles at the trunk, including the spinal cord, which offers the basis for all cardiovascular and nervous system functions. This technique is believed to improve circulation, increase lymphatic circulation, increase the lymph gland's capacity, strengthen the immune system, balance the autonomic nervous system, relieve the tension and stress in the muscles and joints, and even decrease the symptoms of asthma, diabetes, fibromyalgia, cancer, headaches, high blood pressure, and other disorders.
Some Ashiatsu massage therapists utilize two overhead bars overhead, one for the neck region and one for the head/neck area. Other people prefer to just use the hands for the feet and legs. You can get started in Ashiatsu massage therapy by using the palms of your hands to gently grab the calves of your clientele. If you're using a standard massage table, you might even wish to position it at an angle so that you are able to observe the ankles of your clientele.
You want to employ slow, gentle pressure to the lower limbs of your clientele. Your hands should be parallel to the ground, but not flat, as your palms should be directed towards the floor. When applying pressure to the lower limbs of your Ashiatsu customers, be certain that your hands are not moving too fast, or your client may feel pain. As your massage therapist puts more pressure into the area where you're massaging, your customers may begin to feel tingling in their feet and legs.
Another technique used in Thai massage and Ashiatsu is called stretching. In Thai massage, when you hear the term extending, it means to stretch out the muscles of the body and not to add weight to them. In a Swedish type of massage, when you hear the word Swedish, it means to tighten and contract tight muscles. In case you have been doing your job as a massage therapist , chances are, you've developed a good rapport with a number of your clients. If you don't have this relationship with your customers, you should start practicing asking your customers to do a set of stretching exercises.
Sweating can be very uncomfortable for the Ashiatsu therapist. 김포출장안마 To relieve this discomfort, your Ashiatsu school instructor will often place heavy gauze on the back of your hand, or put open-palm pressure on various parts of your hand. Using open-palm pressure is particularly helpful during sports massage. This type of Ashiatsu stroke is most successful when performed with light pressure, since it helps to relax the entire body. Another effective technique during sports massage is using downward facing knees. With this technique, the masseuse places his hands directly below the recipient's elbows, and with the direction of his feet, gently pulling the elbows backward toward the toes.
Deep tissue massages also help alleviate pain since they increase circulation. Increased flow reduces swelling, tightens the muscles and ligaments and relieves tension. The therapeutic effect of Ashiatsu might not be experienced immediately but over time, as the muscles, tendons and ligaments become more flexible and elongated, increased blood flow and mobility in the affected region improves. Massage therapist with a background in Ashiatsu may find the use of ultrasound machines beneficial to massage. While ultrasound machines are not actually used in Ashiatsu, it is said that it helps the Ashiatsu practitioner as he manipulates the cells by using ultrasound waves. (meters are used to gauge the pressure of the ultrasound waves, and an assortment of different pressure points are used by Ashiatsu therapists to carry out different Ashiatsu methods.)
It is important to note that there's no particular order in which the Ashiatsu techniques are performed. In any given session, the Ashiatsu practitioner performs the following techniques in order, starting from the mind of the customer and moving downward. They may alternate back and forth between the two unique styles. Each Ashiatsu style has its advantages and disadvantages. When these different styles are interchanged, it is possible to achieve far greater results than if the practitioner were to execute each of the Ashiatsu techniques in each of his or her own style.