Testimonial to Feet

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy at Tsubo with Jen Messer

“I’d had a brutal month: a concussion and two falls had wrenched my spine and sent my body into high-alert, chronic-pain mode. No amount of stretching or pain medication was doing the trick. So I called Tsubo and asked Jen Messer, one of my favorite massage therapists, what she recommended. She had a hunch that Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy might provide the sort of deep work and spinal decompression that I needed. I decided to give it a try, if just for the ‘wow’ factor!

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy is a modern version of a type of massage from the far East, in which the therapist uses his or her feet (perfectly pedicured and immaculately clean!) to provide deep, fluid strokes to the most unhappy muscles. The therapist supports his or her own weight by holding onto special bars attached to the ceiling, and uses a special lotion to ensure smooth effleurage. This type of massage therapy is still rare in the States, so I was thrilled that the Berkshires has Jen and her magic feet.

The massage was extraordinary, unlike any I’ve ever experienced. Jen’s strength, combined with her acute sensitivity to my pain points, was absolutely amazing. This was deep work, but without pain. She was able to release the spasming muscles while providing a fascinating and thoroughly relaxing experience. For the first time in a month, I woke up able to turn my head and move my hips and legs without discomfort. I felt centered and re-aligned—and I am already eager to go back for another Ashiatsu Bar experience!

Don’t miss the opportunity to try this type of massage here in the Berkshires. Jen will put you at ease, and will work with you to address any issues you’re having, particularly chronic ones. My muscles and I can’t say enough about how terrific she is!”

—Jenn Mattern

What is the big dif?

Deeper isn

Steve is the bomb.  Oh you haven’t heard that?  Oh, then let me help you out,  Steve is the bomb and you have to have a session to renegotiate your understanding of the word bomb.  Steve goes all al qaeda on your pain.  Here is the big dif in services.

Deep Tissue  – very deep, slow, specific muscle work 60-90 minute sessions recommended.  Great for anyone will all over body soreness or tightness.  This is also a great technique for finding the bodies trouble areas that need more specific work.

Trigger Point  – a trigger point is a hyper irritable spot in the belly of a muscle or excessive taught bands, caused by trauma, overuse, chronic pain, long term bad posture, injury, etc.  This can be very deep and very specific work that usually takes 3-7 sessions to make substantial improvements –excellent for rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, low back pain and stiffness, wry neck, shin splints, sciatica.  And any kind of muscle pain that has exceeded 21 days and has now become chronic.

Myofascial Release  -  think of the fascial system as a three dimensional web that covers every inch of our bodies.  It gives our muscles shape, it covers every organ and vessel in our body.  Restrictions in the fascial system can be caused by over use, trauma either emotional or physical, injury, surgery it is a condition that causes the muscle fibers to stick to the skin, bones or other muscles where they shouldn’t  causing pain and restriction.  The process for correcting is a gentle two handed stretch into the restricted areas with a 3-5 minute hold that allows the fascia to unwind and correct itself.  Very effective in areas with restrictive movement caused from surgeries where scar tissue has formed and where repetitive use has drastically reduced range of motion

Now you know!  Don’t hesitate, this guy will hook you up.

Low Back Pain

Colleen is an expert on different types of pain or dysfunction.  Here is the first in her series of pain.  Keep coming back to read more about common ailments and what to do about them!

Low Back Pain can come from disc problems (herniated disc or ruptured disc) and/or muscle spasms.  Symptoms usually include pain in the lower back that can radiate down the buttocks and into the thigh, calf or upward into the rest of the back.  Pain can be aggravated by standing, sitting, and/or walking depending on the cause.

Causes of Low Back Pain

Colleen talks pain

Heavy lifting, especially twisting when you lift.  Jobs that entail sitting or standing for long periods of time and Jobs that put unnatural stress on the spine (heavy machine operator, truck driver, etc.)

Pain Relief Suggestions:  Lying on your back with a pillow under your knees to take the pressure off your back. Heating pads for up to 20 minutes to relieve spasms.  Ice packs for up to 20 minutes to reduce inflamation.  Lying on back pulling your knees into your chest one leg at a time to stretch lower back muscles.

Prevention: Keep Walking!!  Even if it hurts, it prevents muscles from weakening which can make pain worse.  Lift with your knees and avoid twisting when you lift!  Push rather than pull heavy objects. Take breaks to walk or stretch when sitting or standing for long periods of time. Exercise.

Massage: Deep Tissue Massage can address many low back issues.  However it is important to know if the pain is caused by a ruptured/herniated disc or any other disc disease so the therapist can use safe and proper techniques to deal with your pain.

Jen’s Foot Work

I asked Jen to give me a basic primer on the benefits of her new technique Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy.  Here is what she said.
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy is a barefoot massage technique that uses deep compression and long fluid strokes that glide over the body, while using over head bars for support and balance.

This type of massage provides deep relaxation and stimulates the lymphatic system  and releases toxins in the body at a very high rate.  Many of the ABOT  movements help to elongate the spine, relieve muscle spasms and dramatically stretch the shortened muscles relieving discomfort.

The biggest benefit of the AOBT is that after a few sessions it helps to greatly improve posture and movement while alleviating pain and improving bodily functions.  Overall, it helps to create a state of well being.

However, this technique is not suitable for everyone , so check with your therapist for contraindications to see if this type of massage is right for you.

Are you next?

Jennifer

Breathe