Ashiatsu*
Adjustments For Life
HOW
TO MAKE
ADJUSTMENTS FOR HEALTHY LIVING
The following suggestions for making adjustments for life to the human body are intended for lifetime use among family members-partners who understand the importance of frequent human touch, the resultant human bonding, and the real therapy afforded by such practice. See The Rescuing Hug. See The Power and Magic of Human Touch.
IMPORTANT
Attention
Adjusters and Subjects
Please
read this cautionary advisory before proceeding.
The
first application of these Ashiatsu*
adjustments
usually produces some realignment. Subsequent adjustments to the same
area during the current session will likely not produce much additional
alignment. AVOID OVER-ADJUSTING. More adjustments may be attempted at
an interval of about 15 to 30 minutes or more depending on need.
Do
not proceed with any of the following adjustments if Subject complains
of pain. Slight discomfort may be experienced during any session, depending
on the condition of the Subject, but pain must be avoided.
ALWAYS
BE GENTLE.
Subject
must rest and relax for several minutes at the conclusion of each session.
ADDITIONAL
ADVISORY to Adjuster and Subject ... Read Me Now. 
Suggestions For Better Body Alignment
Compiled by
Hari Kaur Bird
The benefits
of these 6 methods of Ashiatsu massage, and
more can be accomplished by following the instructions below.
Rolling
Massage
Feels like the gentle hands of a massage therapist, pressing firmly on
one side of your spine, then the other. It relieves tension, and loosens
and relaxes the muscles.
Kneading
Massage
Feels like thumbs pressing firmly in a circular motion on both sides of
the spine. This therapeutic motion goes deeper, lifting and stretching
muscles to improve circulation.
Compression
Massage
Feels like the heels of a professional therapist's hands firmly pushing
on muscles alongside your spine, and inward toward the spine itself. This
aids in improving mobility and posture.
Percussion
Massage
Feels like fists or the edge of hands rapidly tapping on your back muscles.
This is the deep muscle therapy popular in sports medicine. It flexes
spinal joints, relieves pressure, and invigorates your entire back.
Calf
Massage
This carefully but firmly massages the muscles of your calves from your
ankles to your knees to relieve stress and sore legs.
Foot
Massage
Feels like human hands squeezing your feet.
The
Ancient Ashiatsu 'Back Walk'
*Ashi-atsu: Ashi means foot, atsu means pressure.
Have the Subject lay tummy down on the floor with the head turned to their comfortable side, and their arms comfortably at their side. Place the arms a little out from the body making a space for your feet between the Subject's hips and hands. Be sure to have Subject's feet-legs together, to align the body correctly, and avoid too much space between the legs (the legs below the thighs lack weight bearing strength) at the upper thigh area.
Place your LEFT FOOT at the base of their buttocks (the Subject can withstand pressure here), but DO NOT step towards or stand on-near the knees … use the upper thighs at the buttocks for your balance point.
Place
your RIGHT FOOT at the middle of their back, with the arch of your foot
on the spine. Use a rocking motion, similar to surfing, to rock back and
forth, moving the RIGHT FOOT and your body weight in small, brief increments
up the spine, beginning at the waist and stopping at the neck. If the
Subject has eaten recently be sure to apply less pressure on the spine-stomach
area for comfort’s sake. BE GENTLE!
After twice traversing their spine, place your feet between their hips
and arms. With your heel on the floor and using only about 1/4 of your
total body-foot pressure, use the toe and ball of the LEFT FOOT to massage
the Subject's LEFT upper ARM by lightly kneading the upper arm, working
your way down to the elbow. DO NOT apply pressure beyond an area about
3" above and below the elbow joint, or knee, or ankle joints.
Switch to the RIGHT ARM with your RIGHT FOOT. Only 'walk' on the muscle part … NOT on any joint portion of the body. KEEP YOUR HEELS ON THE FLOOR. After the upper and lower part of the ARMS has been massaged, 'walk' on the HANDS, also with 1/4 total body-foot pressure, Subject's fingers straight, not bent. Avoid the wrist joint.
ALWAYS BE GENTLE!
Then go to the upper THIGHS under the buttocks. Use your full body pressure right at the thigh-buttocks ONLY, one foot-width, i.e., the width of your foot. Then the next foot-width down, apply only 1/4 total body-foot pressure, and the next foot-width down, applying only 1/4 pressure to within 3" of the knee.
Then skip the knee joint to 3" below the knee, to the CALF and apply only 1/4 pressure down the calf to 3" above the ankle. Skip the ankle joint. Full pressure can be applied on the Subject's Feet, but ONLY with the toes and ball of your foot. ADJUSTERS KEEP YOUR HEELS ON THE FLOOR.
Subjects will especially enjoy the Hand and Foot walk. BE GENTLE!
The 'Toboggan'
For Lower Back Alignment
This adjustment is for stretching and decompressing the lower back.
Have the Subject sit on the floor, feet together, as in a toboggan. The Adjuster should sit right behind the Subject. The Subject should cross their arms and hug their shoulders. The Adjuster, with ankles-feet on top of Subject's lower legs (this locks the Subject's legs straight for a more effective stretch), then clasps the Subject's elbows and hugs the Subject from behind snugly, pulls the Subject backwards towards the floor while pulling up on the Subjects elbows-arms, bringing the Subject with them. This lays the Subject on top of the Adjuster’s tummy. This movement gently stretches and realigns the lower spine.
The Adjuster then pushes up and raises Subject up from the floor, the Subject simultaneously pulls and pushes up from the floor to the sitting position, thus both parties return to the sitting position.
ALWAYS BE GENTLE!
Computer and Mouse Syndrome
Sometimes the ribs get out of alignment and this adjustment will assist with correcting that problem. Have the Subject lay on their tummy face down on the floor with the head facing the side to be adjusted. The ARM of this same side is on the floor and up over the Subject's head; the other arm is at the Subject’s side.
The Adjuster will kneel on this same side and puts one hand over the other for leverage and places them under the same-side shoulder blade area. The Adjuster then gently, and with an even thrusting stroke, not jerky, pushes up and over towards the top of the opposing shoulder and lower neck.
The opposite side is then, likewise adjusted. Note: Be sure the face is turned towards the side being adjusted and the arm of the side being adjusted is straight up over the head.
BE
GENTLE!
Usually realignment will occur only after the first time this adjustment
is applied. Subsequent adjustments to the same area during the same session
will usually not accomplish any more alignment. If more adjustments are
applied, it's best to wait 15 minutes or longer.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In addition, in the case of a carpal tunnel affliction, as a result of frequently repeated movements of the hand, wrist and forearm as in the long term use of a computer mouse, or similar job related activities, the Subject can try this, themselves.
Extend the affected arm straight and extend the fingers up and back. GENTLY, with the opposite hand, clasp the extended fingers and GENTLY pull back, stretching the ligament and muscle tissues. With each pull, attempt to pull back a little bit more. Then reverse the exercise with the fingers extended down and to the rear, gently pulling back on the extended fingers with the opposite hand. This can be done while watching TV, or any idle, sedentary moments.
The 'Chair'
For Mid Back Alignment
This adjustment requires a chair or stool with no arms. If the chair has a back, turn the chair-back to the side or front of the Subject, so the Adjuster has room to work and the Subject sits with the back of the chair to their front or side.
The Subject will interlock their fingers behind their neck. The Subject must hold this posture while the Adjuster applies the adjustment. If the finger lock is broken, the Adjuster must re-start the adjustment. The Adjuster puts their arms through the openings made by the Subject's arms while interlocking their fingers behind their neck. The Adjuster angles their arms back around and behind the waist of the Subject and interlocks their own fingers for leverage. The Adjuster is in sort of a "jump shot" squat, as in basketball, in a semi crouch. Adjuster then asks the relaxed Subject to inhale and then exhale all the way.
Upon the completion of the exhalation the Adjuster quickly stands up. This motion causes a short and gentle tug to the spine that realigns the middle-back of the Subject. This is similar to a realignment technique done while both parties are standing.
ALWAYS BE GENTLE!
The Side Twist
For Lower Back and Pelvis Alignment
The Subject will lay down on the floor stretched out on their side, with the bottom leg on-the-floor, leg and arm straight, to keep the spine in a straight alignment, and with the top leg bent with knee towards tummy, and arm bent and relaxed at the tummy. The relaxed head will naturally flop back in this adjustment. The Subject should not be tense, but just RELAX.
The Adjuster will place their one hand between the shoulder and breast (closer to the breast to avoid applying excessive pressure directly to the shoulder), and then place their opposite hand on the top-center-rear hip.
Gently push the Subject's hip away at a level angle, and pull the Subject's shoulder towards the Adjuster, simultaneously, gently and in a long fluid motion. This will gently twist and adjust the lower spine.
Then the Subject will switch sides, reversing, and keeping the on-the-floor leg and arm straight to insure that the spine is aligned. Again, the top leg is bent and the arm lays close to the tummy.
ALWAYS BE GENTLE!
For
more instructions, see an Ashiatsu Massage video here.
Another Side of The Soy-Protein Story
Consultation with a health
care professional should occur before applying any adjustments or treatments
to one's body, consuming medications or nutritional supplements, and before
dieting, fasting, or exercising. None of these activities are herein presented
as substitutes for competent medical treatment. Return
to instructions.
See our Disclaimer Page for more details.