The practitioner stands on, or moves their feet along the client’s body, using the overhead bars to distribute their weight as needed. The therapist can also vary the pressure applied by by having one foot on the table supporting their weight, and the other foot on the client, for example. The foot itself can also be used in a variety of ways – heels and toes are very capable of detailed work, such as contacting specific trigger points in the muscle, and the entire foot can be used to apply broad, deep pressure. Generally, the feet are used for compression strokes on the larger muscles along the back and top half of the legs. Due to the restrictions of a massage table (as compared to a floor, where Ashiatsu originated), smaller areas such as the neck and arms are usually worked with the hands rather than the feet. A technique called ‘jostling’ can also be used, and is similar to a sports-massage style movement. At The Wellness Center, a sheet is placed over the body and no oil is used when feet are the massage tool so the therapist can be very particular. Lotion or oil is used directly on the skin when the practitioner is using her hands for smaller areas such as the neck, arms and lower legs.
