Shiatsu massage

Shiatsu (Japanese from shi, meaning finger, and“Shiatsu” is known all around
atsu, meaning pressure) - is a hands-on therapythe world.
technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu follows similarIn the English translation, this unique, originally
principles to Chiropractic or western massageJapanese, hands-on therapy is also called
using the principles of anatomy and physiology.“Shiatsu.” Essence of Shiatsu
The thumbs, palms, and fingers (no knees orThe characteristic of Shiatsu is to practice using
elbows are used in the foundation form of shiatsuonly the fingers, palms and especially the thumbs,
therapy) are used to apply pressure tobut the essence of Shiatsu is “Diagnosis
designated areas of the body.and Therapy combined.”
All Shiatsupractors (Lisenced Shiatsu practitioners)“Diagnosis and Therapy
in Japan have to go through acombined” is the ability of the
government-regulated program which coverspractitioner to use his sensory organs (palms,
mostly the traditional form of Shiatsu Therapy.fingers and thumbs) to detect irregularities, such
This traditional form, now commonly practiced inas stiffness of the surface of the body, and to
North America, was started by Tokujiropromptly correct or heal these problems. To
Namikoshi, from whose lineage subsequentacquire this amazing skill takes considerable
Shiatsu practitioners have been trained.experience. The defining difference between
Namikoshi developed his knowledge through trialShiatsu therapy and modern and Kampo medicine
and error, eventually gaining acceptance in the late(also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine, such
1950s. His Shiatsu is described as "Diagnosis andas acupuncture and moxibustion) is this
Therapy combined", and relies on an understanding“Diagnosis and Therapy
of how the body functions according to westerncombined”; the fact that Shiatsu does
principles of anatomy and physiology, as opposednot always require previous diagnosis before
to the principles in Traditional Chinese Medicinecommencing treatment.
TCM, although derivative forms of Shiatsu basedIn modern medicine, the course of treatment can
on TCM (called Meridian Shiatsu) have beenonly be decided after a diagnosis has been made.
devised by later practitioners graduated from theIn TCM, it is also necessary to diagnose before
Japan Shiatsu College established by Tokujirotreating. In Shiatsu Therapy, practitioners promote
Namikoshi in 1940.the prevention and recovery of illnesses by
History of Shiatsu Shiatsu, as well as Teate,stimulating the immune system and natural healing
originated in Japan. There were many hands-onpower that people already possess. Therefore,
therapies called “Teate”even without a diagnosis or with a language
before traditional Chinese therapies such asbarrier, practitioners can, to quote Toru
Acupuncture and Tuina were introduced to Japan.Namikoshi, treat patients with “thumbs
Conflicting reports exist as to the date of theand thin futon” at any time.
first use of the wordTreating the body as a whole helps to restore
“Shiatsu”. However, there isthe physical functions of the nervous system,
no doubt that it was Tokujiro Namikoshi whocirculatory system, bone structure, muscles, and
founded the Japan Shiatsu College in 1940 andinternal secretion and stimulates its natural ability
established and systematized Shiatsu Therapy. Atto heal illness. That being said, skilled practitioners
the age of seven, Tokujiro Namikoshi developed acan contribute considerably to regional health and
technique of pressing using his thumbs and palmsmedical treatment.
as he tried to nurse his mother who sufferedShiatsu World Standardized Licenses
from Rheumatoid Arthritis. He called the techniqueShiatsupractor is the name given to the recently
“Pressure Therapy” at firstintroduced international standardized Shiatsu
but later renamed it “Shiatsulicense. This international standardization will not
Therapy”. He treated many high profileonly ensure quality by setting guidelines for the
persons such as former Japanese Prime Ministerpractitioners of Shiatsu therapy, but also for the
Shigeru Yoshida and other successive Primeinstructors, worldwide. In the past, in countries
Ministers, the Prosecutor for the Internationalwhere Shiatsu has not been regulated by law,
Military Tribunal for the Far East, Prosecutorinstructors often have not learned the medical
Keenan, as well as celebrities like Marilyn Monroebasics, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology,
and Muhammad Ali. In this way, Shiatsu becamewhich are required subjects in Japan, and those
known not only in Japan but also overseas. Theinstructors often focus entirely on their
Japan Shiatsu College has produced manyknowledge of Kampo medicine. The name
graduates who participate actively worldwide andShiatsupractor was first used in British Columbia,
who have devised their own Shiatsu styles. TheseCanada in 1990’s has since been
styles are derived from the original Shiatsu ofrecognized by the International Shiatsu Association
Namikoshi and collectively termed Derivativeas the official name for the of the international
Shiatsu. For example, Tadashi Izawa establishedstandardized Shiatsu license. Presently, at the end
Meridian Shiatsu, incorporating Meridian Theory ofof 2003, in the regions of North America (United
Traditional Chinese Medicine into his ShiatsuStates and Canada), Europe (member nations of
therapy. Shizuto Masunaga’s book,the EU), and Japan, the use of Shiatsupractor is
called Zen Shiatsu in English, popularized Zen (orofficially protected as a registered trademark. In
Masunaga) Shiatsu in North America and Europe.Japan, the educational standard for Shiatsupractor
Ryukyu Endo, a Buddhist priest, introduced Taoapproval corresponds to that of the licenses for
Shiatsu, which involves concentrating the mind andAnma, Massage and Shiatsu Practitioners. In other
making supplications to the Buddha.regions, if there are no regulations by public
Kiyoshi Ikenaga, in his book Tsubo Shiatsu,officials in the country or states, the requirements
elucidates from an anatomical and physiologicalare two years and 2200 hours in North America
point of view, how meridian points (or Tsubo) areand two-to-three years and 1600 hours in Europe.
useful in Shiatsu Therapy. The Japanese word