Ashiatsu Aftercare

After July 1, 2025 Foxfire Massage Therapy will close. Kit has been accepted to graduate school in Dublin, Ireland, and will be moving later this summer. Thank you for 10 years of support! May you be happy and well.

After only receiving 60 minutes of this technique, your back muscles will be very loose and vulnerable. Chances of injury or acute muscle spasms are much greater post-massage. Please take the following precautions for the first 24-48 hours after receiving an Ashiatsu treatment.

Please avoid

  • Sitting for long periods: Ashiatsu elongates the spine and creates structural change. It’s best to avoid compression of the spine for 24 hours post-treatment to avoid undoing all the progress you made during your Ashiatsu treatment.
  • Lifting heavy objects: The lumbar region is very vulnerable post-Ashiatsu treatment. Inflammation, pain, or injury could result from lifting heavy objects within the first 48 hours. If your work requires lifting it’s best to wear a lumbar brace for added support.
  • Contact sports or exercises: Especially those that involve twisting for 48 hours post-massage.Examples are Golf, Baseball, Skiing, cross fit, and Kickboxing. It’s more likely for over-rotation to occur resulting in rib dysfunction, inflammation, or injury.
  • Physical exercise: Light exercises such as walking and yoga are ok.
  • Drinking heavy alcohol (24 hrs) Alcohol and Ashiatsu are NOT friends! Alcohol causes dehydration and Ashiatsu flushes the body’s system. The body needs time and fluids to expel metabolic waste. Clients may experience an intense lactic acid hangover if they drink alcohol after a session

Please be advised

  • Hydrate: Drink half the body weight in ounces for 24-48 hours to help flush the system.
  • Stretch: Passive stretching & light yoga is great post-Ashiatsu treatment.
  • Hydrotherapy: Heat therapy is ideal for stiffness/soreness and cold therapy is for pain/inflammation. You can also do contrast therapy and alternate hot/cold ending with cold.
    • Heat Therapy: Epson salt bath, hot springs, sauna, hot tub, or float. We highly recommend Float Seattle for sensory isolation therapy. Floating aids in maintaining a relaxed state after the massage and promotes healing of the parasympathetic nervous system.
    • Cold Therapy: Ice packs, ice cups, cold dunks.
  • Histamine Release: can occur and cause localized itching due to a chemical reaction taking place in the tissue. The skin will appear red and blotchy. There may also be swelling present.
    • If this happen, please use to ice the affected area and drink plenty of water to continue the benefits of massage. Stress and an allergic reaction can also cause hives, if the inching sensation is in more than one area, you may be allergic to your cream/oil.
  • Rest and recover for 24 hours post-Ashiatsu session to maximize benefits.