Therapies
Shiatsu (Acupressure)
What
is Shiatsu
Shiatsu literally
translated means 'finger pressure'. Chinese Taoist monks were the first to
observe our self-healing instincts over 5,000 years ago and eventually they
formalised these observations into a system for treatment. Their theories
involved acupuncture, moxibustion and herbology. Chinese medicine was
introduced to Japan by the Chinese Buddhist monks about 1,000 years ago, and
by adding acupuncture points to their already existing massage techniques,
Shiatsu emerged in Japan and is now a fully accepted medical treatment,
authorised by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.
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How
does it work?
Shiatsu is based on
the same principles as acupuncture but without the needles, concentrating on
meridians or energy lines. Everything is related to the five elements that
correspond to different parts of the body:
Heart = Fire
Kidneys = Water
Spleen = Earth
Lungs = Metal
Liver = Wood
The idea, as in acupuncture, is to balance the life energy in the body which
is disturbed when we become ill. Through a series of finger pressures all
over the body along the meridians or pathways, Shiatsu can rebalance the
body's energies, regulate the function of the organs and improve
circulation. By releasing the body's natural energy flow, our self-healing
process is able to take place. Shiatsu practitioners often use their elbows,
knees and feet as well as their fingers during therapy, but they seldom use
the palms of their hands unlike other traditional Western contact therapies.
Shiatsu can even detect energy imbalances before there are any symptoms, and
as such Shiatsu is used widely as a wonderful preventive therapy which will
leave you relaxed and feeling rejuvenated.
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What
does treatment involve?
A Shiatsu treatment
will last up to 1 hour and the amount of treatments you will require will be
determined by your practitioner at your first visit. It is advisable not to
eat anything, drink any alcohol or have a hot bath for about an hour before
and after the visit. The practitioner will take into account details about
your lifestyle in general and will ask you about your health problem and
medical history. Using touch, such as palpation of the abdomen and other
areas which may be lacking in energy, the practitioner will make a
diagnosis. He/she will also take your pulse.
The patient will be asked to lie on a treatment couch undressed to
underpants (although sometimes the patient may be allowed to wear loose
clothing) and the rest of the body will be covered with towels. There will
be little talking and the treatment will send you into a very relaxed state.
It is possible that you may experience a reaction after treatment such as
cold symptoms or slight depression as a result of the release of emotional
tension. This is all quite normal however and indicates that the body is
ridding itself of negative toxins in a positive response to the treatment.
Your practitioner will be able to show you simple and effective techniques
to use on yourself at home to relieve certain symptoms and tensions and it
is worth asking about these. Obviously, there are books and leaflets that
will also show you how to use certain Shiatsu techniques at home, but if you
are pregnant or you have high blood pressure, make sure that you contact a
qualified Shiatsu practitioner.
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What
it can help?
Shiatsu can be used
to treat a large range of health problems, but it is particularly effective
for headaches, tension, depression and fatigue, as well as bowel and back
problems.
As a preventive therapy there is a good chance that some illnesses will be
caught very early as a result of Shiatsu treatment.
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