At Deep Relief, our Ashiatsu massage in Austin, TX offers a deeply therapeutic experience using gravity-assisted pressure to relieve tension and restore balance.
Pressure is the secret to eliminating some of the toughest muscle adhesions (knots). Ashiatsu massage in Austin, also known as “barefoot massage” or “bar massage”, is an effective way to provide that pressure.
Using carefully targeted pressure, our trained massage therapists ease tension and relax the muscles in ways that will last for weeks at a time.
Many ashiatsu strokes help to elongate the spine. These movements dramatically stretch shortened muscles, which help in relieving pain and discomfort. These long fluid strokes also help flush the body’s lymphatic system, which releases metabolic waste at a very high rate.
We recommend drinking plenty of water before and after a treatment to help with the detoxification process.
After only a few treatments, ashiatsu barefoot massage has been known to improve posture and range of motion. It will significantly reduce or eliminate chronic muscle pain, and improve bodily functions, which will create a higher sense of balance and wellbeing within the body.
Typically, one treatment a week for upwards of six weeks will produce these kinds of results.
Movements along the para spinal and the lumbar region can relieve muscle spasms and open the intervertebral foramen (where spinal nerves pass through). It will give the nerves more space as well as increase circulation by bringing more freshly oxygenated blood to the area being treated.
With enough training, feet are surprisingly dexterous. The toes and soles are perfect for putting force on specific tension points in the back and shoulders, in a way that is often difficult with hands. With Ashiatsu massage in Austin, your massage therapist is also standing directly above you, able to provide targeted pressure on the areas of concern and smooth out the muscles with greater control, making Ashiatsu massage in Austin an excellent choice for deep, precise relief.
But perhaps the greatest benefit of Ashiatsu Massage is the gravity assisted, balanced pressure. With a traditional massage, the therapist has to use their strength to push into the targeted areas from the side. This requires a lot of strength and stamina, and may not always provide the amount of pressure needed.
With Ashiatsu, the therapist stands above you, balanced, and is able to use gravity and body weight, along with the surface area of the foot to provide a steady gliding pressure on the back. Your massage therapist holds onto a bar throughout the session for balance, and is highly trained to provide this special form of massage therapy.
The setup for an ashiatsu session looks a little different from what you might expect. Overhead bars, sometimes called parallel bars, are installed above the massage table. These bars give the therapist something to hold onto for balance and control while they use their feet to deliver long, flowing strokes along your back, legs, hips, and spine. The bars are not just for show. They allow the practitioner to adjust how much body weight they apply, which means the pressure can be customized based on what your muscles need that day.
This aspect is where ashiatsu stands apart from other deep tissue work. Traditional deep tissue massage relies on thumbs, knuckles, and elbows to target problem areas. Those techniques are effective, but they can sometimes feel sharp or pointed, especially on sensitive spots. Ashiatsu takes a different approach. Because the foot has a broader surface than an elbow or thumb, the deep pressure spreads out more evenly. Many clients describe Ashiatsu as intense but not painful, which is a perfect balance for therapeutic bodywork.
The therapist moves slowly and deliberately, using gravity-assisted stretching and compression to release tension in the muscles. Some strokes run parallel to the spine, while others focus on the hips, legs, or arms depending on where you carry the most tightness. The whole experience tends to feel more like a slow, controlled stretch than the rapid kneading you might associate with other styles.
Not all ashiatsu sessions are the same, and Deep Relief actually offers two distinct approaches depending on what you are looking for.
The first is DR Hit The Spot Ashi, which blends barefoot techniques with traditional hands-on massage. With this version, the therapist uses their feet on larger muscle groups like the back, hips, and hamstrings to get deeper into those areas. The rest of the session, including the head, neck, hands, feet, and front of the body, is worked using traditional massage for a more detailed experience on finer muscle groups. The clinic trains most of its therapists in this integrated style.
The second option is Pure Ashi, a full-body barefoot massage performed exclusively using the therapist’s feet. This version requires advanced training and a particular talent for the craft. It is a truly unique bodywork experience, and many people consider it one of the most effective deep tissue treatments available. Because feet have a wider surface area than hands, they can reach deeper muscle layers without the discomfort that thumbs and elbows sometimes cause on upper tissue.
Ashiatsu is not for everyone, and any good ashiatsu therapist will tell you that upfront. People with recent surgeries, certain spine conditions, or those who are pregnant should talk to their doctor before booking a session. The same goes for anyone on blood thinners or dealing with conditions like osteoporosis, deep vein thrombosis, high or low blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, or advanced diabetes. This is not a complete list, so it is worth contacting the clinic directly to discuss your medical history before scheduling.
That said, this modality works incredibly well for a specific type of client. If you have a physically demanding job, sit at a desk for eight hours a day, or just carry a lot of tension in your back and shoulders, ashiatsu might be exactly what your body has been asking for. Athletes tend to gravitate toward it because the deep compression helps with recovery and mobility. Office workers love it because it addresses the postural issues that come from hunching over a keyboard. And anyone who has tried regular massage without lasting results often finds that the sustained foot pressure makes a noticeable difference.
The technique is also popular among clients who prefer firm pressure but find traditional deep tissue too intense in certain areas. Because the therapist can control the depth so precisely using the overhead bars, the treatment stays effective without becoming uncomfortable.
Your session starts with a conversation. The therapist will ask about your pain points, areas of focus, and any injuries or conditions they should know about. Ashiatsu is very customizable, so the more info you share, the better your treatment will be.
Like any other massage, you’ll be covered with a sheet or blanket. The therapist uses clean feet, of course, and they warm up the muscles before applying deeper pressure. During the treatment, communication is encouraged. If the pressure feels too deep or not deep enough, just say so. A trained ashiatsu practitioner, particularly one with Deepfeet certification, can make adjustments on the fly, which is one of the reasons this technique delivers such consistent results. You are not stuck with whatever pressure level they start with.
Afterward, most clients report feeling both relaxed and physically lighter. Some describe it as the kind of relief you get after a really good stretch, except it reaches muscles you could never stretch on your own.
The benefits of ashiatsu go beyond just feeling good on the table. Regular sessions can create lasting changes in how your body moves and feels day to day.
Many clients who switch to ashiatsu from other massage modalities notice that the results last longer. That sustained foot pressure seems to reset the muscles in a way that quick, targeted work sometimes cannot.
DR HIT THE SPOT ASHI is an abbreviated, and more specific version of Ashi, which is a spin off of our traditional signature massage. Most of the DR therapists are trained in this version.
Our Ashi is integrated with traditional massage, meaning your therapist will use Ashi on the back, hips and hamstrings to get DEEPER into those larger muscle groups. All the other areas like head, neck, hands/feet & the front side of the body will be worked on the traditional way for a more detailed experience on the finer muscle groups.
VS
PURE ASHI is a full-body barefoot massage, executed exclusively using the therapist’s feet. This style of ashi requires many hours of advanced training and talent. It’s a truly unique and luxurious experience.
Feet have a wider surface area than hands and can get deeper into the deep muscle layers without being as uncomfortable to the upper layers as thumbs and elbows can tend to be. Ashiatsu is often called one of the most effective deep tissue massages on the planet.
Ashiatsu Massage has been practiced in India, Thailand, and through Asia, and has made its way into the United States. Our specialists here at DEEP Relief are one of the few massage practitioners to offer this unique type of barefoot massage, making Ashiatsu massage in Austin accessible to those seeking deeper, targeted relief. We would be happy to schedule you in for a session.
If you’re interested in finding out why it is one of the more popular massage therapy techniques. Book your appointment today!
Due to the compressive nature of Ashiatsu massage in Austin, therapists must take extra precaution with certain client conditions. This a just a hand full of conditions that would be contraindicated for receiving an ashiatsu treatment. However, a certified Deepfeet Therapist will have full knowledge of all contraindications for ashiatsu and how to best address their client needs.
Some contraindications include:
Other Services We Offer:
