By: Carolyn Hambley

A great new massage combination is now being offered in Cozumel!

If Cozumel is your vacation destination, or if you're just cruising through, or if you've chosen to live on this amazing Caribbean island; you need to try one or all of these massages.

Sally Hurwitch, C.M.T., offers Swedish massage, Reiki and her specialty, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy; and the benefits to your health are many.

Details and pictures follow ..........

This Photo and the following by Miguel Nuñez

Sally completed her massage certification at the San Francisco School of Massage in California. Due the growing popularity of deep tissue massage, she chose to further train in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy (AOBT), a deep compression effleurage massage administered by the feet of the therapist. Effleurage is a massage term that refers to long gliding strokes as opposed to kneading or percussion. Unlike "walking on the back", AOBT is a real massage that creates a push-pull effect on the muscles, deeply relaxing them and promoting the release of toxins stored in the tissues.

Ashiatsu is a Japanese word meaning "foot pressure". The amount of pressure used is carefully monitored throughout the massage, as Sally checks in with her client periodically to determine optimum level. In most cases one foot remains on the massage table, so very light or fairly intense pressure can be applied, up to her body weight of about 100 pounds or 45 kilos.

Sally explained to me that many deep tissue massages administered by local therapists include digging by the therapist’s thumbs and/or elbows in order to achieve depth. Not only is this incorrect but it can be very painful and in some cases detrimental to the client. The "no pain no gain" mentality is simply not in accordance with a good deep tissue massage. Because AOBT has the weight of the therapist behind it, depth is achieved with no discomfort. The broader surface of the foot delivers even pressure over a broader area of the body than a thumb or elbow. If desired by the client, this method delivers very deep pressure.

Traditional Ashiatsu is done with the client on a mat on the floor with their head turned to one side. The therapist uses a stick or chair for balance. AOBT places the client comfortably on a massage table. The therapist maintains her balance by the use of overhead bars attached to the ceiling as she works the muscles of the back, neck, arms and legs. The client’s feet, hands, face and scalp are massaged by hand to complete the session.

In our interview, Sally described her personal foot care routine, which involves soaking, scrubbing, exfoliating, filing and moisturizing on a daily basis. Regular professional pedicures are a must! Sally has special slippers that are placed on her sanitized feet, and they are removed only when she is in position to place her feet directly on her client’s back. The result is a very clean, soft, smooth foot gliding with pressure over the body of the client. Speaking from experience, it’s pure heaven!

For those who prefer something more traditional, Sally is also available for a relaxing Swedish massage. This style is more soothing and gentle. It’s all done by hand with little to moderate pressure. In addition to relaxation, a good Swedish massage relieves muscle spasms and soreness, stimulates the metabolism, promotes flexibility, strengthens the immune system, increases circulation, and much more. The improvements to the circulatory system help bring increased blood supply to muscles, bones, nerves and organs, including the skin. This in turn nourishes them to better health.

As a ten year Reiki Master, Sally also works with this wonderful energy therapy. In a Reiki session, the client remains fully clothed on the massage table, while Sally places her hands in various positions on the client’s body for 3-5 minutes each. Unlike massage, no physical manipulation takes place. Instead, during each few minute cycle, energy passes through her body and out her palms to the client. As the energy moves, her hands actually get hot. The heat transfers to the client and penetrates deeply, providing relaxation and a sense of calm and tranquility.

You can check out Sally’s massages at her website: www.barefootincozumel.com

Sally’s sessions are by appointment only. In Cozumel call 878-4662 (not cellular!) From the mainland dial 01-987-878-4662 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Sally works from her quiet downtown cottage, just 8 blocks from the ferry pier. Due to her busy schedule, walk-ins are not possible. Rates are $55usd per hour for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, $45usd per hour for Swedish or Reiki. Pick up the phone, your body will thank you!

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