Finding My Stride: Jackie's Journey to Barefoot Massage
For 25 years, I’ve been dedicated to the art of massage therapy. But after 21 years of using my hands, I felt the toll—especially in my neck and shoulders. Then life threw a curveball: a cross-country move and a fresh start. I took a job at a local spa specializing in Ashiatsu, and from the very first session, I knew I had found something special.
Using my whole body, letting gravity do the work, and applying deep, effortless pressure—it was a revelation. I could provide better results for my clients while protecting my own body from burnout. For the first time in my career, I wasn’t just working on the body—I was working with it.
What surprised me most was the precision. Many assume using feet means sacrificing control, but in reality, barefoot massage offers even greater accuracy. The broad surface of the foot covers more ground, while the ability to stand on the table provides angles and leverage that hands simply can’t achieve. The slow, rhythmic pace encourages the tissue to soften and open, allowing for deeper work without force or discomfort. The nervous system responds too—calming into a state of relaxation, like the soothing weight of a blanket.
I’ve always been a results-driven therapist, fascinated by muscle structure and fascia. Since I was 15, I knew this was my calling. Through my training with the Center for Barefoot Massage, I learned how to train my feet to do everything my hands had mastered over two decades—and what I discovered was that myofascial barefoot massage is even more effective.
This work is more than a technique—it’s a movement. It’s about sustainability, longevity, and working in a way that honors both the client and the therapist. The flow and rhythm of barefoot massage feel like an art form—a dance of connection, precision, and relief.
It’s changed my career, my body, and my approach to healing. And I can’t wait for more people to experience it.
Written by: Jackie
March 27, 2025
Why I Chose to Be a Barefoot Massage Therapist: Chancy
When I graduated from massage school in 2017, I was eager to help people feel better in their bodies. Like many new therapists, I dove into deep tissue work, specializing in it for about a year. I loved the challenge, the results, and the way I could help clients work through pain and tension.
But then, the reality of the work set in—my own body was hurting. My hands, wrists, and shoulders absorbed the same strain I was helping my clients release. I saw the burnout statistics—most therapists only last three to five years before their bodies give out—and I started questioning if this career was truly sustainable for me.
So, I veered off. I explored social work, early learning, and behavioral health—all fields that spoke to my desire to help people in meaningful ways. But something was missing. I craved that hands-on connection, the ability to facilitate healing on a deeper level.
That’s when I rediscovered massage—this time, through barefoot massage.
A New Path
Barefoot massage completely changed my perspective on bodywork. I could still deliver deep, therapeutic relief, but this time, without sacrificing my own body. Gravity did the work, my whole body moved effortlessly, and I was able to help clients in a way that felt powerful yet sustainable.
After traveling all over the U.S. to train with The Center for Barefoot Massage, I knew this was the path I wanted to take. And once I experienced the power of this work firsthand, I knew I had to bring it to North Idaho.
Syringa Bodywork: A Dream in Motion
In June 2022, I met my business partner, Jaclyn. From the moment we connected, we knew we were meant to build something together. We mapped out a plan to launch Syringa Bodywork by November, and everything just clicked. Every goal we set, we hit in half the time. Doors opened effortlessly, and all signs pointed to YES. It was undeniable—we were on our divine path.
We chose the name Syringa Bodywork because Syringa is Idaho’s state flower, a symbol of our deep love for the place we call home. Based in Hayden, Idaho, we’ve built our business around meaningful connections—whether it’s supporting local businesses, setting up our portable barefoot massage bars at community events, or giving back in any way we can.
Why This Work Matters
At the end of the day, being the best part of someone’s day is the greatest reward. When a client tells us they’ve finally found the relief they’ve been searching for, or that they feel safe and supported in our care, it reaffirms why we do this.
That’s why we’re passionate about not just practicing barefoot massage, but also teaching it. We want other massage therapists to experience the same longevity, fulfillment, and freedom we’ve found.
Building a Life I Love
Beyond the business, this journey is about creating the life I’ve always dreamed of—a life with my husband, Justin, raising a family on a piece of land in North Idaho, filled with learning, animals, herbal remedies, and of course, sourdough. Every step we take with Syringa Bodywork brings us closer to that dream, and I’m endlessly grateful for the way this path has unfolded.
Being a barefoot massage therapist isn’t just a job. It’s a calling, a passion, and the path that has led me exactly where I’m meant to be.
It’s changed my career, my body, and my approach to healing. And I can’t wait for more people to experience it.
Written by: Chancy
March 27, 2025
