Shiatsu

Shiatsu Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese healing art with its roots in ancient Oriental medicine. It has evolved from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Anma, a traditional Japanese form of massage.

Vital energy

The underlying philosophy of Shiatsu is that vital energy (Qi in Chinese, Ki in Japanese) flows throughout the body in a series of channels called meridians. For varying reasons, Ki can stop flowing freely and this then produces a symptom. Shiatsu can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions – from specific injuries to more general symptoms of poor health.

Conditions helped by Shiatsu:
Back pain
Headaches / Migraines
Whiplash injuries
Neck stiffness
Joint pain
Menstrual problems
Digestive problems
Asthmatic symptons
Sports injuries
Depression

Meridians

A Shiatsu practitioner uses touch to affect the flow of Ki in the meridians and will use a variety of techniques to improve your energy flow. These are decided in response to your state of health, the symptoms you are experiencing and will depend on your constitution and general energy levels. They may include gentle holding, pressing with palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and feet on the meridians, and when appropriate, more dynamic rotations and stretches.

Imbalance

As the quality of the Ki changes, the symptoms associated with an imbalance in the movement of Ki will gradually improve. Shiatsu is a therapy that works on the individual as a complete being – the physical body and also on an emotional and/or mental level.

   . . . read about styles of shiatsu  »