Ashiatsu, meaning “foot pressure”, is a method in which a specially trained massage therapist uses their feet to apply massage strokes and compression.

The broad surface area of the foot provides a massage that is deep and therapeutic without the pain/discomfort often associated with “deep tissue” work.

The therapist does not “walk on” the receiver and the receiver has total control over the amount of pressure applied at any given time.

Ashiatsu FEELS amazing and IS amazingly therapeutic!

Ashiatsu can be very effective for moving blood and lymph and can have a profound softening/healing effect on both muscle and fascial tissue (connective tissue).

Many of us struggle to “justify” self care and think of massage as unnecessary “pampering”. The truth is, the stress in our daily lives can have severe effects on our physical and emotional/mental health. Chronic stress can cause/increase depression, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, insomnia, cardiovascular disease, hormone imbalance, digestive issues, etc.

Research shows massage lowers levels of the stress hormone -cortisol- and increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, fostering a general sense of well-being. Many people report that Massage Therapy reduces feelings of anxiety and depression, reduces headaches, improves sleep patterns, decreases blood pressure, boosts immune function, supports digestion and more.

No matter how the baby came to be “on the outside” and in your care - feeding, holding, rocking, and carrying the baby (and all associated bags and contraptions!) is physically strenuous!

Massage can help prevent and address chronic pain, inflammation, and range of motion issues.

Having gone through the processes of pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborns and toddlers, Dolly has true empathy for these conditions and processes. Dolly also has special training and experience with non-invasive pelvic floor work to help establish and maintain proper function before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth. This work can help to minimize/prevent pelvic floor injury that can occur during childbirth.

Strain type injuries which can occur in athletics (and everyday life!) are very often preventable. This applies to ALL BODIES! From competitive athletes, to weekend warriors, to stay-at-home-parents, and everyone in between!

The purpose of performance or “sports” massage is to PREVENT INJURY. Any muscle/portion of muscle that isn’t working for you (tense, knotted, spasmodic) is ACTIVELY working against you!

When muscles aren’t functioning at full capacity, other muscles must compensate in order for the body to perform. This leads to injury. Massage therapy can help ensure muscles are functioning at their highest capacity, maintaining the ability to perform and drastically helping to prevent injury.

Interstructual Approach is a modality developed by the great Jon Hart. He developed ISA drawing from Neuromuscular Therapy, Tui Na, and Craniosacral therapies.

ISA addresses musculoskeletal imbalances in the body. It incorporates movement and rocking to help release tension and holding patterns in both the larger, outer layer of muscles AND the deeper, intrinsic muscles that are often responsible for structural imbalance.

Great for assisting proper positioning of ribs, vertebrae, feet, hips, shoulders, etc!

When recovering from soft tissue strain or injury, massage therapy can be an excellent and vital addition to the process! If you are recovering from muscle strain/injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) it is very likely that the auto insurance company covering expenses will also cover massage therapy.

Please contact Dolly for more specifics on billing health insurance. Dolly does not currently bill regular health insurance but will be glad to provide receipts. Some insurance plans reimburse for massage therapy and it may also be possible to write off massage therapy at tax time as a medical expense.