​At The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage, we understand that not every session needs to be intense or highly specialized.

Our Barefoot Massage Bliss is a 60-minute general session designed for anyone seeking relaxation, gentle fascia release, and nervous system support. It is an ideal introduction to barefoot massage and is less detailed than our Escape or Adventure options.

This session is perfect for clients who want to unwind tension, improve overall movement, and reconnect with their body without committing to a longer or more targeted deep tissue experience.

What to Expect in a Barefoot Massage Bliss Session
Barefoot Massage Bliss uses broad, gliding pressure applied with the therapist’s feet, supported by overhead bars for safety and control. The technique works with muscle, fascia, the body’s connective tissue network, to enhance fluid movement and release generalized tension. By focusing on fascia rather than isolated muscles, the session encourages your nervous system to recalibrate and sense safety, allowing your body to relax and restore natural alignment. This session is not intended to address chronic structural restrictions or highly specific areas, but it is an excellent foundation for supporting overall mobility and structural balance.

Who Benefits from a 60-Minute General Session?
Barefoot Massage Bliss is suitable for:

• Clients new to barefoot massage who want to explore the benefits of Westernized Ashiatsu. Deep, consistent pressure that makes a change in their body.
• Those experiencing mild or generalized stiffness, tension, or nervous system fatigue
• Individuals seeking relaxation and integrated movement awareness
• Anyone interested in connecting with their body through gentle, rhythmic, whole-body pressure

This session is approachable for almost everyone, including those who may feel hesitant about deeper or more intensive barefoot massage techniques.

The Science Behind the Technique 
Fascia Theory: Fascia surrounds and interconnects every muscle, bone, and organ, forming a continuous web that responds to tension and movement. When fascia is hydrated and supported, the body moves with ease, resilience, and integrated strength.

Functional Movement Principles: This session encourages the body to sense its natural holding patterns. Even in a general session, barefoot massage can reinforce fluid, multi-directional motion that carries into daily activities.

Nervous System Awareness: When broad, safe pressure is applied, the nervous system learns to release habitual guarding, allowing muscles and fascia to relax more fully.

Benefits of Barefoot Massage Bliss

• Enhances general fascia hydration and glide
• Promotes nervous system regulation and whole-body relaxation
• Supports mindful movement and functional mobility
• Encourages subtle energetic balance without being a focused chakra session
• Provides an accessible, approachable introduction to barefoot massage

Who Should Skip Barefoot Massage? Barefoot massage may not be safe if you have:

• Recent surgery (last 6 weeks) or eye procedures (previous 72 hours)
• Pregnancy
• Recent implants (calf, pectoral, gluteal, breast – previous 9 months)
• Radiation treatment
• Flare-ups of autoimmune or acute conditions (lupus, MS, RA, gout, Lyme, phlebitis, cellulitis)
• Active care from a doctor or PT
• Blood clot history or use of blood thinners, muscle relaxers, or strong medications
• Reduced sensation, preventing pressure feedback
• Broken bones or fractures inthe  last 6 months
• Pacemaker, stent, or shunt
• Spondylolisthesis or osteoporosis

Unsure? Contact us before booking to make sure your session is safe.
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Experience Barefoot Massage Bliss at The Heeling Hut
​Whether you are new to barefoot massage, looking for a gentle reset, or seeking a 60-minute session that supports overall movement and nervous system health, Barefoot Massage Bliss is an ideal choice.

Read more Blog Posts Like This.
Benefits of Barefoot Massage
Barefoot Massage + Pain Science
Our Massage Modalities
Learn Barefoot Massage

 For more than 21 years, I have been exploring the many ways the human body organizes itself, how it heals, adapts, and communicates through movement and touch. What began as curiosity about massage has grown into a lifelong study of fascia, functional movement, and the subtle ways our nervous systems learn safety and resilience. Since the beginning, my approach has evolved through yoga training, my yoga practice, and reading and following some of the most influential teachers in bodywork. Most recently, diving deeper into instructor trainings with Jeni Spring, the creator of Myofascial Barefoot Massage and FasciAshi. 

Other teachers have had a profound impact on where The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage stands today in regards to theory, one being Tom Myers, who introduced me more deeply to the concept of tensegrity in his body reading class in 2024. While I'm still learning and considering this concept, I feel that the most interesting piece about Tom's work is how the body balances tension and compression, and how this balance influences everything from posture to fluid movement.

What Is Tensegrity?
Tensegrity, short for “tensional integrity,” describes structures stabilized by balanced tension and compression. Think of a suspension bridge, strong, flexible, and resilient because the forces are evenly distributed. Your body works in the same way. Bones act as space holders while fascia distributes tension across the system. When balance is present, the body feels supported and light. When it is disrupted, restriction and compensation take over. A big Ah-ha! Moment for me to say the least. 

Fascia: Your Fluid Support Network.
Fascia has been a significant topic of discussion in my profession over the last several years. Fascia is more than connective tissue; it is a sensory web that surrounds and supports every muscle, organ, and bone. Healthy fascia is hydrated and supple, allowing easy movement and flow. Repetition, stress, and emotional holding patterns can alter fascia.

It thickens, stiffens, and loses glide. Flexibility fades, and the whole system feels less responsive. Moyfasical Barefoot massage directly addresses these restrictions, restoring slip and glide, redistributing strain, and encouraging the body to reset.

Safety and Nervous System Recalibration.
Restriction often comes from the body choosing protection, not from tissue that is genuinely “tight.” The nervous system sometimes limits movement as a precaution.
With calm, steady pressure, the body begins to sense that it is safe to soften, safe to move, and safe to adapt. This shift creates a foundation for strength and flexibility to return.

Energy Centers and Chakra Psychology.
CHAKRA PSYCHOLOGY?!?! What the Heck? And why?!
Chakra psychology, as explored by Anodea Judith, reveals that structural holding patterns often mirror emotional and energetic themes. Yep, a place that reaches way back into my training with Michelle Andre and Anodea Judith. This is what some say is "woo," now blended into other evidence-based principles, but when used with curiosity, not Dogma, yoga and chakra psychology can be insightful. I know that these themes and teachings have healed me and helped me understand myself beyond my physical form. Examples of this idea are seen as:
​
Heart Center: A collapsed chest may reflect guardedness.

Root and Sacral Centers: A rigid pelvis may suggest difficulty with grounding or flow.

Throat Center: A tight jaw may reveal unspoken communication.
​
As fascia unwinds, these centers often rebalance. Massage and movement become more than bodywork; it becomes a dialogue between body, mind, and energy.

Functional Movement and Everyday Strength 
Katy Bowman describes movement as nourishment. Just as the body thrives on varied nutrition, it also thrives on varied movement. Our bodies are designed for diversity: walking on uneven terrain, squatting, reaching, bending, and rotating. Yet modern life limits us to repetitive patterns like sitting, scrolling, and commuting. Fascia stiffens when deprived of variety.

Myofascial Barefoot massage restores ease and fluidity, but the more profound change comes when those qualities are carried into daily life. It is less about achieving perfect posture and more about rediscovering nourishing ways of moving.

A Unique Path to Wholeness. 
I've evolved since my Gaia Bodywork Days. Through in-person workshops, reading, studying, and reflecting on the lessons from these inspiring teachers, I'm developing a fascia/pain science/functional movement-informed practice that integrates Western Ashiatsu, Myofascial Barefoot Massage, functional movement principles, nervous system awareness, and chakra psychology.

It's my hope that the outcome for my clients extends beyond physical ease and feels like integration. They feel their bodies become more balanced, and their movement becomes strong and fluid. All these concepts are woven into my yoga classes and my massage approach. 
​
If you have been feeling restricted, compressed, or disconnected, it may be time to explore my holistic approach. A tensegrity-informed barefoot massage offers not just relief, but reconnection.

When most people think of massage, they think of sore muscles, tight knots, and the sweet relief of deep pressure. That’s all great—but here at The Heeling Hut, we’re working with something even deeper: your nervous system.
And to do that, we’ve taken our barefoot massage practice and laced it with modern pain science, especially the work of world-renowned researcher Professor Lorimer Moseley. His message? Pain is real, but it’s not always about damage.
Let’s unpack that—and explain why barefoot massage might be exactly what your body (and brain) have been waiting for.

We grow up thinking pain = injury. Twist an ankle? Pain. Pull a muscle? Pain.
But Lorimer Moseley and other leading pain researchers have shown that this isn’t the full story. Sometimes, the brain keeps sounding the alarm long after the tissue has healed. Or it rings it loud for a situation that’s not dangerous at all.
Why? Because pain is the brain’s protective output, not a direct measure of damage. Your brain interprets all kinds of input—stress, past injury, fear, movement patterns—and then decides if you need pain to stay safe.
This is why people can have terrible back pain even though their scans are clean. Or why someone might feel pain from a simple touch.

Barefoot massage isn’t just a technique—it’s a nervous system intervention.
Here’s what we’re doing at The Heeling Hut, and how it speaks directly to the science of pain:
🦶 Deep, Safe Touch That Tells Your Brain: You’re OkayThe broad, grounded pressure from the therapist’s feet activates the body’s natural relaxation responses. This safe input helps your nervous system stop bracing—and start unwinding.
🧠 Changing the Pain StoryBecause pain is learned, it can also be unlearned. That’s called neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire its responses. When your brain starts associating touch and movement with safety instead of threat, pain can decrease.
🫶 Moving From Fear to FreedomWhen you’re in pain, your body often stiffens up in self-protection. Barefoot massage helps break that cycle by creating space, ease, and gentle reconnection—so your brain stops freaking out and your body starts flowing again.

A session with us might look like a massage, but the goal is deeper: we’re helping your brain stop overprotecting you.
We respect your body’s pain. But we also respect its power to change. That’s why we integrate:

• Pain education (if you’re curious!)
  
• Slow, intentional touch
  
• Trauma-informed awareness
  
• Deep pressure without sharp discomfort
  

All of this is designed to create a new experience for your nervous system—one that says, You are safe. You can let go. You can heal.

At The Heeling Hut, we’re not just giving massages—we’re helping clients rewrite their pain stories using evidence-based care and grounded, compassionate touch.
So if you’ve been dealing with pain that just won’t quit—or if you’ve tried everything and nothing sticks—maybe it’s time to try something different.
Let us help you remind your nervous system what safety feels like. Sometimes, that’s the first real step toward healing.

Book your session today, and let your brain and body breathe again—from the ground up.

After weeks, months, or even years of living with pain, it’s easy to lose trust in your body. Movements that used to feel natural might now feel scary, stiff, or unpredictable. You might catch yourself bracing before bending over, avoiding stairs, or freezing up when pain flares.

We get it. Many of our clients walk through the door not just with physical pain—but with fear, frustration, and a sense of being “stuck.”

The good news? That fear is learned, which means it can also be unlearned.
One of the most powerful ways to do that is through safe, supported movement—combined with the right kind of touch and nervous system care.

Why We Stop Trusting Our Bodies
​Pain is not a direct measure of injury—it’s a protective response shaped by context, memory, and perception (Moseley & Butler, 2017). When your brain senses a potential threat, it turns on pain to get your attention and keep you safe.
But if pain sticks around, your system can become overprotective. This is known as central sensitization, where the nervous system amplifies pain signals even after the tissues have healed (Woolf, 2011). You move less. You tense more. You begin to fear your own body.

​This creates a loop:
Pain → Fear → Tension → Less Movement → More Sensitization → More Pain
Your body isn’t failing—it’s overprotecting. And that can change.

 How Barefoot Massage Helps You Reconnect
At The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage, we use barefoot massage to gently invite your body back into a state of ease. This isn't about “fixing” anything—it’s about retraining your brain and body to feel safe.
💆‍♀️ Broad, Soothing Pressure = Nervous System Calm Deep, slow pressure activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” branch), shifting you out of survival mode (Field, 2010). It tells your brain: “You’re okay. It’s safe to relax.”
🌀 Passive Movement Without FearFear of movement—also known as kinesiophobia—can prolong and intensify chronic pain (Vlaeyen & Linton, 2000). Our work gently reintroduces safe movement through passive joint mobilization and rocking techniques, reducing fear and increasing trust.
🧠 Positive Input = New PathwaysEach pain-free experience lays the groundwork for neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire based on new, safe input (Doidge, 2007). It’s not magic. It’s modern neuroscience.

What Rebuilding Trust Looks Like in Real Life

• You breathe more freely
• You get off the table feeling grounded, not guarded
• You start moving because you want to, not because you have to
• You feel less afraid of your own body
• You realize: your body isn’t broken—it’s adaptable

Tips to Rebuild Trust Outside the Treatment Room
Here are a few science-backed ways to help your nervous system stay calm and connected between sessions:

• 💨 Breathe before you move – Deep breathing modulates your vagus nerve, which lowers stress and inflammation (Porges, 2011)
• 🚶‍♂️ Pick enjoyable movements – Movement you love boosts dopamine and reduces fear signals (Clark & Trevethan, 2015)
• ✋ Use gentle touch – Self-massage and mindful contact activate sensory receptors that promote calming brain activity (Olausson et al., 2002)
• 🧘 Stay curious, not cautious – “Graded exposure” to feared movements can help reverse chronic pain patterns (Moseley, 2004)
• 📖 Learn how pain works – Understanding pain changes pain. Education alone has been shown to reduce symptoms in many chronic pain cases (Moseley, 2002)

You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Body Again
You’re not fragile. You’re adaptable. And pain—especially persistent pain—doesn’t mean you’re broken. You can rebuild trust. You can relearn ease. And you don’t have to do it alone.
​
At The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage, we offer grounded, science-informed barefoot massage to help your nervous system settle, reset, and remember what safe movement feels like.

We’ll meet you where you are—no pressure, (Except while UNDERFOOT,)  just support.

​

References

• Moseley, L., & Butler, D. (2017). Explain Pain Supercharged. NOI Group.
• Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself. Penguin.
• Woolf, C. J. (2011). Central sensitization: Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain, 152(3).
• Field, T. (2010). Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being: A review. Developmental Review.
• Vlaeyen, J. W. S., & Linton, S. J. (2000). Fear-avoidance and its consequences in chronic musculoskeletal pain. Pain, 85(3).
• Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory. Norton.
• Olausson, H. et al. (2002). Unmyelinated tactile afferents signal touch and project to the insular cortex. Nature Neuroscience.
• Moseley, L. (2002). Combined physiotherapy and education is efficacious for chronic low back pain. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy.
• Clark, J., & Trevethan, R. (2015). Reconsidering fear avoidance in chronic pain: A call for revising pain management strategies.

​If someone asked you to try a deep tissue massage in which the licensed massage therapist uses their feet instead of their hands to give you deep, consistent pressure throughout the Massage, would you do it? 

Simply put, No.
Sometimes, barefoot Massage is called body walking in layperson's terms. People will describe it as someone walking on your back. This is an oversimplification of this technique and can give an unclear idea of what barefoot Massage actually is, making people who are new to it hesitant. They might question, "Is barefoot massage safe?"
The good news is that barefoot Massage is safe under certain circumstances. Your licensed massage therapist must be licensed by the state (or hold whatever the equivelent of licensure is for that particular state) and have additional training in. barefoot massage to make it safe. Your LMT is trained to do a complete intake to ensure it's safe for you. If your therapist doesn't have forms for you to fill out and doesn't ask you any medical questions, this is a red flag, and it's time to consider finding a new massage therapist who will take the time to get to know you and customize a safe session.

​It might not seem that massagers would need an in-depth education. It's just rubbing, right? Well, not exactly. Licensed massage Therapists spend many hours studying and training in the art and science of massage therapy. We study sciences such as anatomy and physiology, pathology, and kinesiology and learn what we call endangerment sites. Barefoot Massage is an advanced technique, so your massage therapist should attend at least 24 hours of training in this style before offering it as a service to clients. Even more training is needed any where from 40-80 hours of training or more if they commit to the technique and become specialists. Coupled with that training, your intake forms, health history, and opening communication throughout your session, you can be assured that your Massage is safe. All of these elements together create the most effective and safest session. 

I use a pressure scale with my clients at The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage. I found this to be a very effective communication tool. When using the scale, 1 being no pressure and 10 being excruciating, we keep it at no more than a 7. Of course, the scale is subjective, and we explain it more deeply during our intake process. This way, our clients can use introspection to give good feedback. ​We also educate our clients on the adverse effects of massage therapy.

​Did you know that there are times when getting a massage is a bad idea because you can have unintended or unpleasant after-effects? I always talk to my clients about this if I see something in their intake and health history or if we're doing our daily intake just to make sure that they will benefit from barefoot Massage and have the best outcome.

​Ashiatsu is an Eastern massage technique from Japan. Not only is it hard to say for some Texans, but the Westernized Ashiatsu style is much different from the traditional Japanese version. That's why we are dropping the "A Word" and using barefoot Massage to give a more straightforward, less appropriated description of our beloved massage style. The Center for Barefoot Massage is leading the way on this change and that's just another reason I love teaching with them. While some may stick with the original technique and not challenge themselves further, continuous learning and access to new information help me stay informed and interested. That's a huge deal when you've been a massage therapist for half your life...(Side note: I'm writing this during my 41st year of life and 20th year working full-time as an LMT!) For an LMT like me, it's not a selling point to stay with "the original" or old techniques that never change when we know the science of massage therapy and our understanding of the human body constantly changes. I'm always looking for training that is one step ahead of me and will challenge me. 

My most recent Fijian Barefoot Massage class in San Diego, CA.
​Massage Students who are commited to their growth. 

As a barefoot massage specialist, I continuously train in the art and science of barefoot Massage. EVEN as a teacher, every year, I spend a week training in barefoot massage specifically to ensure I'm keeping up with the latest information. The Center for Barefoot Massage is committed to evolving and improving Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage to ensure that it is effective and safe. Additionally, ​At The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage, I train licensed massage therapists from all over the US, and I even have students come from other countries! As an approved instructor for The Center for Barefoot Massage, my office also serves as a training studio where I hold workshops at least once a month to ensure that my students get as much training as they need to be successful barefoot massage practitioners.

By Hillary Arrieta, Your Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist at The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage.

As I celebrate my 20th year as a massage therapist, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to work with clients in the Dallas, Richardson, and Plano areas of the metroplex. Over these two decades, I have been able to assist my clients in managing the aches and pains that often accompany the stress of modern life. This milestone is a big one! 
​
One thing I've noticed over all these years is that many people see massage therapy from a narrower lens than I'd like them to. Massage therapy has many more valuable benefits than relaxation and general stress relief. North Texans love sports. Whether we're rooting for the Dallas Cowboys or heading to the gym to reach our personal best, we love staying active.

Today, I'm talking about the intersection of sports massage and my specialized style of massage, which we call Barefoot Massage. I don't consider myself a "sports massage therapist." Still, I've helped many competitive athletes with barefoot massage and stretch therapy. I love working with clients seeking better movement and injury prevention. 

So, with all that said, is barefoot massage sports massage? Well, Yes, it is! Sports massage has some fundamental theories that can align with the way a barefoot massage therapist applies their technique. 

We can easily integrate stretching theory, too, like passive range of motion, active assisted range of motion, and dynamic stretching. I love to layer dynamic cupping and dynamic stretching to benefit clients looking for greater athletic performance. 

These barefoot massage techniques can help athletes with injury prevention, posture, and alignment needed for proper weightlifting form and ease of movement through their sport or activity. 
​
You don't have to be a professional athlete to benefit from the sports massage take on barefoot massage. Sitting for long periods can create back pain from compressing your spine, but our steam-roller-type techniques can decompress you back to feeling like yourself in no time. 

If you've tried traditional deep tissue massage and thought, "Meh, I can do this with a tennis ball or massage gun." Then, I challenge you to make an appointment and give barefoot massage a try. ​

Barefoot massage is quickly becoming the new go-to massage technique for people looking for a unique and effective way to alleviate stress and tension. This innovative massage technique is gaining popularity across the world due to its ability to provide deep tissue work while also being gentle and relaxing.

Barefoot massage is a technique that involves the therapist using their feet to apply pressure to the body. This is done with the help of bars that are mounted on the ceiling. The therapist uses their feet to apply pressure to the client's body, which helps to improve circulation, reduce tension, and alleviate pain.

The technique is particularly effective for people who suffer from chronic pain and tension in their muscles. It can help to increase flexibility and range of motion, and can also help to reduce the risk of injury.

"Barefoot massage is a game-changer when it comes to relaxation and pain relief," said Hillary Arrieta, the leading Barefoot massage therapist and instructor in Plano, Texas. "It offers a unique and effective way to reduce stress and tension, and it's quickly becoming one of the most popular deep tissue massage techniques out there." Many students travel from all over the nation to learn this style at The Heeling Hut. Hillary is the North Texas instructor for the Center for Barefoot Massage. 

If you love deep tissue massage and you're looking for a new way to unwind, or if you suffer from chronic pain and tension in your muscles, barefoot massage could be the solution. Contact The Heeling Hut Barefoot Massage and Wellness today to schedule a session and experience the benefits of this innovative technique for yourself. You can book a session and learn more about training at www.theheelinghut.com

When new clients visit my office in Plano, Texas, I ask them to fill out a health intake form and we discuss their goals and any pain they may be experiencing. During the intake, they often express doubts about whether I can help with their specific health condition, such as musculoskeletal issues. However, I can usually provide support for such problems.

If you're looking for a natural way to address certain conditions, deep tissue barefoot massage may be worth considering. In my experience, I've seen great outcomes for a variety of issues. From reducing muscle tension to improving range of motion, deep tissue barefoot massage may be the solution you've been searching for.