Shiatsu
The term Shiatsu literally means "finger pressure" and as such only just begins to describe the work of the Shiatsu practitioner. In reality, various parts of the giver's body (fingers, thumbs, palms, forearms, even feet and knees) are used to apply pressure to the receiver's body. This can be targeted at general areas or specific points - often the tsubos or 'acu-points' used in acupuncture. These techniques are used in conjunction with stretches, joint rotations and joint manipulation to give an 'all-over' treatment which aims at treating the receiver on a holistic level - working with body, mind and spirit together. Contacting the receiver's Ki or internal energy is an integral part of the treatment. Treatment is carried out fully clothed, usually with the receiver lying or sitting on a futon on the ground. A typical treatment will last between 45 minutes and an hour, although shorter treatments can also be very beneficial.
Shiatsu is a form of bodywork that has its origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the historical massage techniques of Japan. Modern Shiatsu is based on these oriental traditions, which go back several thousand years drawn together with ideas and knowledge from modern disciplines such as physiotherapy and psychology. It is a healing system that allows the patient to get in touch with their own healing abilities. It is a balance - an interactive relationship - between practitioner and patient, in which the healing power of both build upon each other to clear and balance the vital life force energy, known as Qi.
Shiatsu combines the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine with practices similar to those of acupuncture but performed without needles. In later years, political pressures diminished the spiritual healing focus of the art. In the 1950s and 1960s, Shizuto Masunaga, a Japanese psychologist and student of Zen, re- incorporated psychological and spiritual dimensions to shiatsu, once again transcending purely physical applications.
The word Shiatsu means 'Shi' or 'finger' and 'atsu' or 'pressure'. It is a combination of many different techniques, including pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting, pinching, rolling, brushing and in one school developed by Suzuki Yamamoto, barefoot shiatsu which includes walking on the person's back, legs, and feet. Shiatsu can be done with the patient lying on a mat on the floor or on a table. The patient remains fully clothed wearing loose fitting clothing. The atmosphere in the area should be calm, light music can be used if desired and soft lighting. The practioners hands are placed at various points of the body sending the energies to the more than 300 acupoints along the way, creating the healing.
Shiatsu can be used to work with any or all of the disorders for which Acupuncture can be used. This is not to say that Shiatsu is the same as Acupuncture. Acupuncture may be thought of as being more specific and focussed than Shiatsu with regard to some ailments. Shiatsu can be especially useful for postural problems, musculo-skeletal problems and any stress related illnesses, including emotional problems.
Benefits of Shiatsu include:
- Reduced stress & fatigue (tsubo) accumulated in the body
- Increased circulation of blood and lymph
- Reduced blood pressure and muscle stiffness
- Increased vitality, stamina and energy (Qi)
- Gives flexibility to the skin
- Improvement of the circulatory system
- Gives flexibility to the muscular system
- Facilitation of the digestive system functions
- Improvement of the endocrine system
- Regulates the functions of the nervous system
