Barefoot Massage

Barefoot Massage, also known as Compressive Deep Tissue, or Barefoot Sports Massage, is a blend of Eastern barefoot techniques, such as Barefoot Shiatsu Massage, coupled with Western manual medicine, encompassing Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, transverse friction, compression, tension, shear, PNF, stretching and other techniques.

No oil is used and clients remain loosely clothed (no jeans).

While a superficial swedish massage can be very relaxing and therapeutic, to manipulate muscle, fascia, tendons and other tissues more deeply and effectively (and more cost-effectively), massage needs to be applied deeper (with more force, but typically less pressure than that using an elbow or thumb) and with various techniques. The heel, sesamoid, arch or whole plantar surface of foot are used, as well as thumb work, depending on the shape or pressure required. The therapist may be standing or sitting, depending on the angles required. Sensitive feet are excellently effective for such compression and shear work, which can send the client into parasympathetic response, while also working toward the goal to "fix pain" and improve function.

Barefoot Massage will:
relax, soften and lengthen hypertonic muscles
eliminate metabolites and toxins from muscles, veins and lymph channels
increase cellular nutrition – released histamines dilate capillaries
accelerate nerve firing – acetylcholine release
accelerate healing – stimulates procollagen fiber formation
increase blood circulation
reduce pain and improve range of motion – ischemic pressure inhibits/ eliminates trigger points
accelerate muscle healing and recovery

Typical sessions may last an hour or two for a general full-body treatment, or some combination in between. When desired, stretching, repositioning, elbow or hand work is also easy to accomplish. Tools may be as minimal as a floor mat and several pillows.