Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork, with its roots in Chinese and Japanese medicine. Shiatsu is a complete system of bodywork which includes examination, assessment, and treatment, based on an ancient system of healing. Shiatsu’s focus is to restore the free flow of chi, or energy, in the meridians that flow from each organ out into the body.

Shiatsu therapy is a distinctly Japanese contribution to holistic healthcare and has evolved out of 3,500 years of oriental medical wisdom. It is founded upon the same principles as acupuncture, although no needles are used. It also incorporates the modern Western sciences of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Shiatsu therapy has been fully incorporated into the modern public healthcare system of Japan and has been regulated as a distinct therapy by the Japanese Ministry of Health since 1964.

Based on research in Japan, it has been documented that shiatsu is very effective in calming the sympathetic nervous system and improving the function of the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymph nodes, endocrine glands, and internal organs. In addition, it has been shown that shiatsu assists the body in eliminating toxins and metabolic waste. Thereby acting as a preventative health measure, as well as assisting chronic and acute health conditions.

How does Shiatsu work?
The aim of Shiatsu is to restore balance to the body and make it stronger thereby assisting the body to heal itself. Like acupuncture, shiatsu works on the flow of ‘life energy’ or ‘chi’. Oriental medical practitioners believe that our energy flows throughout our bodies via energetic pathways which are known as meridians or energy channels. If the chi becomes blocked in any of these channels illness or disease (dis-ease) can result.

Does Shiatsu hurt?
We get asked this question all the time!! We doubt you would come back if the whole session was painful and what would be the fun of that!!!? You will find that during the session, we will find places, acupoints, on your body that are holding pain. Pain, in its simplest form, is just stuck energy. The point of the session is to ensure the free flow of chi or energy in the meridians or channels. When we find the painful spots, we will GENTLY move into them to release them – only to your pain tolerance. Most people describe this as good pain. This type of pain releases and eases during the session.

What will happen during a Shiatsu session?
We begin with taking a detailed health history. This includes asking about your specific issues, as well as your energy, digestion, and sleep. We will look at your tongue and feel the pulses in the wrist, where clues to your energetic condition can be assessed. This information will help to decide which meridians and points to focus on. The techniques used in the massage will depend on your energetic condition, and the combining of intuition and theory to create an appropriate treatment for you, at that particular time. So each session will be unique.

During the session, pressure is applied to various parts of the body which correspond with the points and channels or meridians used in acupuncture. For this reason Shiatsu became popularly known in the west by the rather inaccurate term of acupressure. Unlike acupuncture or acupressure massage, where the practitioner concentrates on a few specific points, Shiatsu works on the whole of an imbalanced meridian, and the whole body.

We will use thumbs, fingers, palms, elbows, and sometimes we may use our knees and feet in order to disperse or move blocked chi. These techniques are used in conjunction with stretches and joint rotations where appropriate to assist the flow of energy through the meridians. We generally work all over the body, i.e. arms, legs, back, abdomen, neck, and head. This enables you to relax deeply and get in touch with your own healing abilities and feel more connected with your body,mind, and spirit.

Treatment is carried out through light clothing, usually lying on a wide low table, or on a padded mat on the floor. Shiatsu can be adapted to chair massage as well. The low height of our tables allows us to use our body weight rather than muscle strength to apply pressure which is more comfortable to receive and less tiring for the practitioner.

Shiatsu affects all levels of our being: the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual. Treatment is attuned to the individual's personal development of total health and character. To make real, long-lasting changes in your health, we may give advice on diet and exercise based on your energy type.

What conditions can Shiatsu help?
It is not a requirement to be ill in order to benefit from Shiatsu! Keeping your stress levels low by regular healthy activities such as Shiatsu, improves your chances of staying healthy. But if you are faced with a health challenge, or lack of energy, pain, etc., you can benefit from Shiatsu due to its ability to strengthen the body's energy and self-healing properties. Because an imbalance of chi or energy in the body often precedes full blown disease symptoms, Oriental medicine has a preventative role. Along with changes in your daily life Shiatsu treatments can jump start your process of healing and balance.

Conditions often improved by Shiatsu:

Pain – chronic shoulder and neck tension, low back
Stress - in mind and body
Balancing energy levels
PMS and menopause symptoms
Boosting immune system
Headaches
Insomnia
Improve circulation
Fatigue
Digestion imbalances – IBS, constipation…
Calming the mind (for the over thinkers!!)
Maintaining your good health

Treatment of all these conditions will be given according to Oriental assessment tools, although Western concepts are considered as well.

How is Shiatsu different than regular massage?
Generally, massage therapy refers to Swedish massage, deep tissue, and trigger point work. Massage therapy usually involves rubbing and kneading the body using oils or lotions. Swedish massage acts on the circulatory system of the body to improve circulation. It also affects muscle tissue to relieve muscle tension and pain.

The most obvious differences are; Shiatsu therapy uses specific, rhythmic techniques of pressing, holding, kneading, stretching, and tapping along meridians and acupuncture points to regulate body functioning. The amount of pressure is applied according to your specific condition – as determined by the intake, and your tolerance. No oils are used, and you may wear loose clothing during the treatment. Shiatsu treatments help to relieve pain and improve organ function. All of your bodies systems are addressed.

Each therapist has their own additional skill sets, theories, intuitive abilities and style. We believe that there are many ways to open the flow of energy in the body: everything from deeply pressing into the connective tissue of the body, to working in the energetic field and not even touching the body. This is the art of bodywork: to determine when and what is needed and what can be accepted by the client.

What can I expect to feel after a Shiatsu treatment?
Most people report a feeling of being deeply calm, but energized. These reactions can be due to the energetic effect of a Shiatsu session. However, the full effects of a treatment may also take several days to achieve. Occasionally a new patient may have a 'healing reaction' after the first few sessions. Symptoms such as headache, stiffness, diarrhea, desire to urinate frequently, or lethargy may be experienced due to the release of toxins. These symptoms are transitory and soon pass, usually in 12 hours. Rest and drinking plenty of water will help. DeDe and Roger can be contacted for advice and reassurance if required.

Most people have two opposing tendencies: one, the wish to regain health and freedom; the other, to remain attached to old behavior patterns which reinforce the sickness. An important benefit of Shiatsu is that in addition to aiding the healing process and providing relief from symptoms, it can also assist the receiver to become aware of what they need to do to help themselves and improve their quality of life.

Your overall improvement in health will be greatly enhanced by any improvements made in all the aspects of health - proper nutrition for your type, exercise, meditation and bodywork. Taking small daily steps to support your body such as minor dietary changes, rest when tired, drinking water, breathing, gently moving your body each day such with walking, yoga, Chi Gong or Tai Chi movements, and focusing on what is going well in your life. Changes in any of these areas will create positive change; changes in all of these areas will create complete healing.

Guidelines for clients

In order to gain the most benefit from a Shiatsu treatment. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Be open to the possibility of healing, on many levels. True healing begins in the mind.
It is best not to eat a big meal for two or three hours before a treatment. This is because lying down with pressure applied to your torso after a full meal would feel uncomfortable. You can have a light meal before your treatment.
It is best not to drink alcohol on the day of your treatment.
It is best not to wear any jewelry, perfume or aftershave, and to keep make-up to a minimum.
You will remain fully clothed during a Shiatsu session. If coming from work, bring clothes along to change into.
Wear light, loose clothing such as light workout clothes you can easily move around and stretch in.
Allow enough time so that you are not arriving in a hurry, or rushing away afterward.
If applicable, have details available of current medical diagnosis and of any medication you may be taking.
After a treatment, drink a few glasses of water to help the body release any waste or toxins released during the session.
If muscle soreness is experienced and you do not have high blood pressure, try soaking in a tub of warm water with 2 cups Epsom salts. This will assist the process of moving toxins out of the body and energy field.

Shiatsu is provided by Roger Hinrichs and DeDe Hinrichs. Both individual and couples appointments are available.