Shiatsu Therapy

Shiatsu

Alternative therapy based on massage using pressure points to treat and prevent ailments; rhythmic, moderately deep massage; originated in Japan; term is Japanese for “finger pressure”; also known as acupressure; more than 1000 years old.

Shiatsu Massage

Shi-pressure ATSU-Finger

Shiatsu therapy is a system for improving health by eliminating fatigue, and stimulating the body’s natural powers of recuperation by means of manual pressure applied to certain established points on the surface of the body.

The word “Shiatsu” literally means “finger pressure”, but thumbs, hands and other parts of the body, such as elbows, are also used.

In Shiatsu, treatment is diagnosis and diagnosis is treatment.

Western theory suggests mankind started from one dark point and progressed to a bright future. This can be referred to as a direct-line theory. In Eastern thought, on the contrary mankind started from an ideal and saintly world, went to a corrupted and unhappy, disastrous existence, and there regained some of the original, happy state to create a better future. This is cyclical theory.

The basic and most important principle underlying health, is the balancing of our life force, maintaining and strengthening our body’s own natural healing power. Medicine of any kind, be it natural or chemical is only secondary. Shiatsu is one of the best methods of health care. It not only treats, but prevents disease. Incorporation of Shiatsu, exercise, and a balanced diet into our daily life will keep us healthy. When investigating the causes of illness, don’t look for complicated reasons.

Pay attention to the following day-to-day activities:

• Thinking
• Breathing
• Movement
• Diet
• Sex
• Sleep

When symptoms are present, the energy within the internal organs, muscles and tissues doesn’t circulate well. Physical and emotional suffering are an expression of imbalance. For example, when the heart becomes imbalanced we may see either high or low blood pressure. When the pancreas is affected, the result is often hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or diabetes (high blood sugar).

Guidelines To Find Balance and Health

1. Take care and use common sense so as not to overexert yourself.
2. Be alert to some warning signs.
3. Do exercises to develop strong breathing capacity, involving the large muscles, such as the arms, legs and trunk.
4. Coordinate the body, mind and spirit, through yoga and it’s influence on the nervous system.

Diet is the most important of all the fundamentals of health.

The Guidelines For Diet

1. Eat when hungry, drink when thirsty.
2. Choose and eat only natural foods.
3. Chew well.
4. Eat only to 80% capacity
5. Enjoy your meals.
6. Make your kitchen your pharmacy.

Some Conditions Shiatsu Helps

1. Shiatsu in the eye area is very good for quickly relieving fatigue or heaviness in the head.
2. Shiatsu around the nose is very effective for congestion, runny nose and fever. Pinching the nose promotes good blood circulation in your mucous membranes.
3. Shiatsu on the meridian lines from the front to the top of the head is very good for headache and sleepiness.
4. Shiatsu in the parotid area near the ear stimulates the secretions which are essential for staying young, as well as stimulating saliva.
5. Shiatsu relieves fatigue and improves overall fitness.

The Giver And Receiver

THE GIVER is the practitioner who does Shiatsu and strives to improve energy flow through the meridians to help the receiver achieve balance.

THE RECEIVER is the person capable of understanding what Shiatsu is. The receiver must learn to work properly, to exercise, to eat well and to relax, as well as strive for balance between body, mind and spirit.

WHEN THE RECEIVER HAS CONFIDENCE IN THE GIVER, THE THERAPY IS MOST EFFECTIVE.