Shiatsu is a healing therapy that uses touch, pressure points and gentle stretches to rebalance energy in your body and help it realise its self-healing potential, both physical and emotional.
Since arriving in the 1970s, the therapy has become widely established as a safe and effective complement to Western medical treatment.
How can Shiatsu Therapy help?
Shiatsu is a healing therapy and is especially useful for:
- relieving stress and tension and promoting relaxation,
- re-energising weaker areas of the body,
- promoting general wellbeing,
- relieving aches, pain and stiffness,
- reducing the need for medication,
- helping you become more aware of your needs and wants, and
- helping you realise beneficial life changes.
Who would benefit from this type of Therapy?
Anybody.
Some background info about Shiatsu
Shiatsu arrived in the West in the 1970s but its roots lie in Traditional Chinese Medicine from around 5,000 years ago. The pressure points used are the same as those used in acupuncture.
Developed in Japan 100 years ago, Shiatsu incorporates ancient oriental medicine knowledge (a holistic approach to health, the benefits of massage, and the use of pressure points) with more recent Western medical knowledge, including that of anatomy and physiology.
Shiatsu works with Ki (energy) that flows throughout the body along pathways called meridians. These meridians connect each part of the body and its organs. If there is an imbalance or stagnation of Ki along a meridian, signs and symptoms of illness arise.
These symptoms can be physical or emotional. By applying pressure with their fingers, thumbs and palms along the meridians and at certain pressure points, a Shiatsu practitioner encourages the body to heal itself, by moving energy to areas most in need and away from where it is congested.
Academic research has shown Shiatsu to be safe and effective. It is not, however, a substitute for medical treatment and you should always consult a GP if you have health concerns.
There are several different styles of Shiatsu. I practise Zen Shiatsu and 5 Element Shiatsu.