Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Iantosca
Hi Caroline, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sure! I’m originally from Chapel Hill, NC, where I grew up playing the cello and pursued a career in music before wanting to know more about the human body and becoming a massage therapist. I’ve since ventured into a style of bodywork called Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage, where I use my feet, bodyweight and gravity to deliver broad, smooth and sustained pressure for a massage that’s both luxuriously deep and comfortable to receive.
Never in a million years did I think I’d be massaging with my feet, but here we are! Shortly after finishing massage school in 2021, I received my first Barefoot Massage – it was better and more comprehensive than any other massage I had ever experienced. So I immediately signed up to take my first class, and it was love at first step! I discovered that I could give more to my clients with less effort, and save my hands in the meantime. The average career span for most therapists is only 5-7 years, and I knew that specializing in Barefoot Massage would provide long-term sustainability in the field without burning my body out. At this point I’ve been massaging with my feet longer than I have with my hands – and yes, they can feel knots just the same!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle, as many entrepreneurs may tell you, was taking the final leap to quit my old job and go into business for myself full-time. The fear of failure was real, and it was a big exercise in trust: trust in my skill and ability, trusting that my clients would rebook, that my marketing efforts would work, that the universe had my back. I keep a quote in my office that reads, “There is no need to rush: what is meant for you will always arrive on time.” I really try to live by that, both in my personal life and in business. Thanks to that mindset, the road has turned out to be more serendipitous than a struggle.
We’ve been impressed with Body and Sole, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of Body and Sole in Knoxville, TN, where I help people with chronic pain, high stress and stubborn tension find relief and relaxation through the art of Deep Tissue Barefoot Massage. I use parallel bars on the ceiling above my massage table for balance, and my feet, bodyweight and gravity to do deep tissue work that’s both comfortable and effective.
One of the benefits of working with gravity is that I can hold steady, sustained pressure on a problem spot without fatiguing, and often from a more strategic angle and direction than my hands could provide. Because feet are broader than hands, pressure gets distributed over a wider surface area and makes it easier for the client to receive the deeper work without soreness afterward. A rounded heel is a far more pleasant tool than a pointy elbow, but can still be just as specific! The outcome is a massage that’s deeper, more effective, and yields longer lasting results.
Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage is perfect for individuals dealing with chronic pain conditions like back and hip pain, neck pain, plantar fasciitis, and sciatica. It can help prevent injuries, improve range of motion, and promote faster athletic recovery. They say, “Once you go Barefoot, you never go back to regular massage!” I know I sure won’t!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can visit my website, www.bodyandsoleknoxville.com to learn more about me, book an appointment and read reviews, or follow my business on Facebook and Instagram, @bodyandsoleknoxille.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bodyandsoleknoxville.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyandsoleknoxville/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodyandsoleknoxville
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/body-sole-knoxville
