What is Shiatsu Massage

There are a multitude of massage techniques.disorders, PMT or low energy levels. Shiatsu can
Knowing what a massage technique is or what itbe very helpful for postural and muscular-skeletal
can do for you is sometimes confusing. One ofproblems and stress related conditions. Shiatsu can
the more popular massage techniques is Shiatsube beneficial for people of all ages from infant to
massage. We will see what it is and how it works.elderly. It can also help to create improved body
Shiatsu derives from both the ancient healing artawareness and ease childbirth. The mother, birth
of acupuncture and from the traditional form ofpartner or midwife can also use shiatsu in labor.
Japanese massage, amma. Shiatsu is a JapaneseZen Shiatsu teaches that the abdomen reflects
word: "shi" meaning finger, and "atsu" meaningconditions of health and un-health in the body and
pressure and is based on acupressure. It can bethat we can influence our health directly by
likened to acupuncture without needles - usingmassaging and self-massaging our abdomen
finger and thumb pressure instead. Shiatsu can be(self-hara). Self-Hara is part of Do-In, a
done through light clothes or directly on the skin.self-therapy that involves principles of Shiatsu and
Shiatsu balances the body's QI (energy, or lifeself-massage. In the practice of shiatsu, each
force) to keep your body's systems in perfectperson is primarily responsible for his or her own
harmony. The goal of each of the different typeshealth and well-being and immunity towards all
of Shiatsu being practiced, Zen shiatsu, tsubodisease.
point therapy, shiatsu massage, and water shiatsuBarefoot shiatsu used mostly in Shiatsu and Thai
"watsu", is balancing energy flow. Shiatsu can alsomassage modalities, which includes walking on the
stimulate the healing of specific injuries andperson's back, leg, and feet, are commonly
improve symptoms of poor health such aspracticed. It also uses techniques such as rolling,
chronic pain, soreness, stress, insomnia and otherbrushing, vibrating, grasping and in one particular
conditions that are not effectively treated bytechnique developed by Suzuki Yamamoto,
Western medical practices.pressure is applied with the feet on the persons
In shiatsu therapy, practitioners can promote theback, legs and feet (special set up is required for
prevention and recovery of illnesses by stimulatingthe "foot" Ashiatsu). Thai similar to acupressure
the immune system and natural healing powerand shiatsu combined with stretch movements
that people already possess without treating aand yoga positions.
specific problem. Treating the body as a whole, soWatsu is the combination of hydrotherapy and
they say, helps to restore the physical functionsshiatsu developed by Harold Dull. The work entails
of the nervous system, circulatory system, bonemuch movement in the water and practitioners
structure, muscles, and internal secretion andbelieve that it incorporates the activation of the
stimulates the whole of the mind and body to findenergy lines derived from shiatsu.
harmony. Skilled shiatsu practitioners canEarly on, George Balanchine, Ivan Nagy, Martha
contribute considerably to regional health andGraham and many other dancers experienced
medical treatments.regular shiatsu sessions to relieve their pains and
Shiatsu can help you if you experience any of therestore and maintain their vitality. It is well known
following conditions: anxiety, stress, jet lag, backthat Liza Minnelli and Henry Kissinger have
pain, sciatica, neck and shoulder tension,received shiatsu treatments to promote and
headaches, insomnia, depression, digestivemaintain good health.