What To Know About Shiatsu Massage?

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage or bodywork that originated in Japan. Literally translated shiatsu means finger pressure. In shiatsu the thumbs (elbows, knees and palms can also be used) are utilised to control the flow of Qi or energy from the body to prevent and treat conditions like insomnia or shoulder pain.

Shiatsu

The notions of shiatsu go back literally thousands of years. Stone acupuncture needles are found in China dating from around 8,000 B.C.. The notions of shiatsu and acupuncture are nearly identical as they both utilize the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In actuality, shiatsu is sometimes known as acupressure. Interestingly, Shiatsu was just recognized as a different modality in 1964 in Japan.

Shiatsu is a modern refinement of a modality with an ancient history. How Does Shiatsu Work? Shiatsu manipulates the Qi or energy of the body by regulating its circulation within a person. Different people and different regions of the body have different demands. For instance your shoulders may feel stressed and hard to the touch while your lower back may ache and feel soft to the touch. The shiatsu therapist will treat the shoulders with a company fairly quick pressure, and the lower back with a gentle, lower strain.

Good to know

The difference in the length and depth of pressure exerted will change the way the Qi or energy flows from the customer which rebalances the body, and leaves the customer feeling healthier with less stress and pain. Shiatsu therapists generally utilize a foul-smelling technique. One hand manipulates a specific meridian or line of Qi in the body and the other is put on an adjoining area of the body. The resting or ‘mother’ hand will help to calm the customer, and is beneficial in setting the results of their working or ‘kid’ hand.

This manner the shiatsu therapist receives continuous feedback about the treatment, and the customer feels reassured and relaxed. What Does Shiatsu Treat? Shiatsu can be useful for many conditions (see list following), but is also an exceptional way to reduce disease. Shiatsu is holistic meaning it can treat psychological problems in addition to physical ones. Many people as an instance feel tension in their shoulders or upper back through stressful periods of their lives.

Did you know?

Shiatsu and the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine see these two symptoms as related to a single issue, rather than as separate entities. In my private practice I’ve treated a customer with asthma who decreased using his puffer by roughly half. I’ve treated a customer with chronic insomnia who immediately after the initial treatment had a solid 7 hours of sleep. I’ve helped customers rid themselves of headaches, back pain, and chronic stress. I also have dealt with the aftermath of physical abuse, helping to reprogram the body’s reaction to touch. This short introduction gives you an idea of how shiatsu works and what it could do. I encourage you to try a remedy or require a short introductory course to find out more about shiatsu and its amazing benefits.