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What is Shiatsu?Shiatsu is a unique, non-invasive therapy designed to stimulate the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Literally translated, the Japanese word shiatsu means “finger pressure.” Shiatsu therapy involves the systematic application of manual pressure to the body in order to assess and treat a variety of conditions. Shiatsu treatments have a regulatory influence on the autonomic nervous system, thereby improving organ function and reducing muscle tension. |
| Shiatsu therapy is a distinctly Japanese contribution to holistic healthcare and has evolved out of 3,500 years of oriental medical wisdom. It is founded upon the same principles as acupuncture, although no needles are used. It also incorporates the modern Western sciences of anatomy, physiology and pathology. Shiatsu therapy has been fully incorporated into the modern public healthcare system of Japan, and has been regulated as a distinct therapy by the Japanese Ministry of Health since 1964.
Shiatsu therapy is effective in the management of many acute and chronic conditions including:
People of all ages, including infants and children, experience lasting, beneficial results from therapeutic shiatsu treatment. Shiatsu therapy is an important part of a preventative or rehabilitative health care program.
After the treatments, most people experience relief from their discomforts: pain relief, increased flexibility, and a clearer mind. Many people find insomnia relief as well following treatment. Rarely, people may feel fatigued, experience minor headaches for a few hours, or minor localized muscle stiffness for a short duration of time; this is a normal reaction to the treatment, as the body readjusts and re balances itself. These side effects pass within 1 to 3 days.
Often you will experience symptom relief within one treatment. However, a series of treatments are necessary for Shiatsu’s full effectiveness. Acute problems usually require two to five treatments; chronic problems require five to ten treatments, or more. Shiatsu is usually provided once a week and treatment effects are cumulative across your visits. Shiatsu therapy is a non-invasive manual therapy, which is performed with knowledge of Western anatomy, physiology, and pathology and Eastern health care principles. Shiatsu therapy involves the systematic application of sustained manual pressure to your body surface, primarily with the thumbs, fingers and palms to help maintain and restore health.
Shiatsu therapy is designed to stimulate the body’s innate healing and balancing mechanisms. Shiatsu treatments stimulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) through the application of varying degrees of pressure. The results are improved body functioning, decreased pain, tension and stiffness, increased range of motion of joints and improved flexibility.
From the perspective of Chinese medicine, shiatsu therapy acts to balance the flow of Qi (energy) within the meridians (energy pathways) in order to restore and maintain health. A shiatsu treatment may be performed on a thick floor mat, or on a low treatment table. As no oils or lotions are used, you are required to wear loose and comfortable clothing. At the initial treatment a complete medical history is taken along with a thorough assessment of your health. Progress changes are recorded at each subsequent visit; treatments are usually offered in 30, 60, or 90 minute session increments. Shiatsu is a Japanese therapy that involves a combination of traditional Chinese Medicine and the meridian theory developed from Masunaga. In Japanese, ‘Shi’ means thumb, and ‘Tsu’’ means pressure. It can directly be translated as thumb pressure. During the treatment the therapist applies varying amounts of pressure using the thumbs, fingers, palms and elbows. The pressure is adjusted to the client’s comfort level and can range from light and gentle to strong and vigorous. Using acupressure points along the meridians opens energy blockages on the body, to aid the blood flow and release the muscle tension. An important part of the treatment is gentle stretching of the body through the Meridians to ensure the proper energy flow and posture correction. These will open the blockages in the body and release the pain. Treatments directly address the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The patient feels calm and relaxed, and their sleep is improved. |
Why Shiatsu? |
| We lead stressful lives! We run around trying to catch the next deadline, face pressure at work, and struggle with tense muscles, headaches, or pain. We become chronically ill, yet we are completely unaware.
Receiving Shiatsu massage therapy provides not only relaxation to your body and mind, but also awakens your natural healing powers, and revitalizes your energy.
Energizing our body, restoring the vital energy, stabilizing the immune system and preventing diseases are all significant components of the shiatsu treatments. |
What can Shiatsu Massage Therapy help and treat?
Shiatsu therapy is an important aspect of a preventative and rehabilitative health care program. Frequency of treatment is dependent upon your condition and respond.
All types of shiatsu stimulate blood circulation directly, like western style massage such as Swedish. In doing so, both of these systems help release poorly flowing blood in the skin and muscles, thereby easing tension and stiffness that arise from congestion. There are important differences both in the way shiatsu is practiced and its effects. Unlike western style massages, shiatsu uses the Meridian system which can be viewed as the arteries of our physically embodied energetic system. Consequently, the effects of shiatsu go much deeper, and they can help the organs, our autonomic nervous system, hormones, joints, tendons and muscles.
A scientific explanation for the benefits that people experience due to Shiatsu are that they provide relief from stiff or knotted muscles, alleviate stress, improve circulation, and have calming effects on a hypertensive nervous system.
Given below are some of the specific benefits that are attributed to be derived from Shiatsu sessions:
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| Nowadays in our stressful lives, with running after deadlines and pressure at work we struggle with tense muscles, headaches and pains in our bodies. We become chronically ill, yet we are completely unaware.
Musculoskeletal problems:Shiatsu can help by releasing the muscle tension in the neck and shoulders; whiplash; lower back pain (sciatica); limited range of motion especially after injury; frozen shoulder; arthritis. Nervous system problems:anxiety; depression; insomnia; fatigue; stress Allergies:the tension can be released by working on the upper body, head, neck, chest and the sinuses. Pregnancy:reducing swelling in the extremities, increasing blood circulation, releasing lower back and shoulder tightness. Women’s issues:cramps, cold hands and feet, irregularities in flow and timing, PMS menopause signs -moodiness and hot flushes. |
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