Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy® (AOBT) is a Swedish based oil massage, done on a table. The practitioner uses an overhead support system to control her bodyweight and massages the client with her feet. The soft, variable surfaces of the foot contour comfortably to the body allowing the therapist to deliver powerful, effective treatments that make the deep work more relaxing for the client. Slow, gliding effleurage is combined with deep compression, cross fiber and acupressure techniques. Bars attached to the ceiling over the table provide balance and allow the therapist complete control of pressure and working angles at all times.

Ashiatsu means foot (ashi) pressure (atsu) in Japanese. Also known as Barefoot Shiatsu, it was practiced 3000 years ago by Buddhist Monks and is still a well known practice in Asia. This played a major role in the development of AOBT, which was founded by Ruthie Piper Hardie in 1998 and is quickly becoming popular in the states.

AOBT is a deeply relaxing, soothing experience. The slow, consistent pressure helps to stretch, lengthen and release contracted muscles, improve circulation and range of motion as well as relieve stress and muscle soreness.

To allow for the signature full-body effluerage, minimal but appropriate, draping is used for these sessions. However, if your comfort level does not permit undressing completely, underwear or swimsuit can be worn. The session begins with work on the back so you will begin lying face down on the table, under a sheet

Barefoot Compressive Deep Tissue (BCDT) is a blend of Trigger Point, Barefoot Shiatsu and Sports Massage performed on a futon/floor mat. Using a balance stick or her own balance, the therapist uses her feet to seek out and disperse ‘trigger points’ (the knots that cause muscle pain). The work is done primarily with the heel for deep, exact compressions. Not only is the heel softer and less invasive feeling than the elbow, which is traditionally used, but feet are naturally designed for weight bearing, where as the hands are not. This takes less of a toll on the therapist, who can then be more effective. Only one foot at a time is used, assuring complete control of pressure.

This technique was developed by high-performance sports massage pioneer John Harris in collaboration with Fred Kenyon. “Pain can cause you to tighten up, after a while you forget how to let go… This continued soft tissue tension creates hyper-sensitive knots in the muscle that create referred pain when pressed. These knots are called Myofacial (soft tissue) Trigger Points and are now recognized as the most common cause of chronic pain syndromes.” Harris and Kenyon. (from their 2002 book, Fix Pain).

BCDT is best for people who crave deeper work. The direct compression of muscles over the whole body creates a deep relaxed state while dispersing muscle pain caused by fatigued or injured muscles and stress related tension. It also helps to increase range of motion.

For this session, comfortable clothing is best. T-shirt and soft shorts, sweat pants or yoga clothes are great. Bulky seams, buttons and zippers can get uncomfortable. Front, back and side-lying positions are used and you will be bolstered with pillows for positioning and for your comfort. Although no oil is used overall, small amounts may occasionally be used on specific areas of the back and shoulders.


Both styles were developed through extensive research on scientific principals of muscular restoration and are established techniques for deep tissue work. They are approved by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).