The word Shiatsu is Japanese and means pressure (“ATSU”) with the fingers (“SHI”).
Techniques:
Shiatsu uses finger and hand pressure and manipulative techniques to adjust the body’s physical structure and innate energies in order to avoid illness and maintain a good physical and mental state. Through the manipulations, there is an intense energetic stimulation that will act on the nervous system. Shiatsu causes in the individual’s body a state of energetic and physical balance, thus providing the cure for certain diseases without the use of medication. Pressure is applied to acupuncture points and meridians in order to restore energy flow and correct internal body dysfunctions.
Shiatsu is characterized by its great simplicity, using techniques that return to squeezing, tapping with the fingers, pressing and pulling, preferably influencing the muscles and circulatory systems.
Eastern tradition philosophies describe the world with energetic parameters. All things are considered manifestations of the universal life force called Qi by the Japanese or Qi by the Chinese. Qi is the primary substance and motivating force of life. It is usually translated as energy, but Qi is also synonymous with breath in the Japanese and Chinese languages. In Chinese therapy, the harmony of Qi in the human body is considered essential for health. The paths or lines through which Qi energy passes are called meridians.
How it works:
Shiatsu releases blocked energy in the body by massage or deep pressure and with point stimulation to circulate energy flow when energy is stagnant. For the person receiving the massage, the impression is that very little is happening, just light and relaxed pressure on various points of the body with the hand and thumb, a light touch of the elbows or a simple rotation of one of the limbs. The session lasts on average about an hour, and all age groups can benefit from this therapy, and in some cases it is contraindicated.
Indications:
o There are numerous benefits of Shiatsu, some of them are:
o Improves the circulation of blood and lymph vessels.
o Produces relaxation and stress relief.
o Improves breathing.
o Helps maintain health and prevents disease.
o Good auxiliary in the treatment of respiratory, digestive, circulatory, muscular, cardiac, neurological, kidney problems, menstrual disorders, headaches, low back pain, neck pain, sciatic nerve, etc.
o Delays aging.
o Can be self-applied, producing relaxation even in the work environment
o Improves the concentration of those who receive and those who apply.
Benefits:
o The improvements produced by Shiatsu help to raise the client’s energy level, regulate and strengthen the functioning of the organs, causing a greater stimulation of the body’s natural resistance to the triggering mechanisms of diseases.
o The body stores emotions, feelings and reflects our emotional state. When we touch an area where energy is blocked, we not only bring it to the client’s attention, but help the blockage to dissolve.
o This massage is very effective in eliminating pain in general, emotional tension, anxiety, fear, depression, digestive disorders, sexual blocks, premature ejaculation, frigidity, impotence, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, etc.
Shiatsu is physical and energetic rebalancing therapy. It strengthens the immune system and, if practiced constantly, becomes preventive medical care.
o Massage in general is essential for the human body. The Greeks, Persians and Chinese practiced massage as a spiritual art.
o Now, as then, massage is not only a powerful therapy for recovering from tension and fatigue, but a powerful preventive medicine tool, keeping people healthy.
o Massage dilates blood vessels, improving circulation and relieving congestion throughout the body. Massage acts as a “mechanical cleaner” of blood circulation, stimulating and accelerating the elimination of waste and toxic debris.
o Massage especially increases the number of red blood cells in cases of anemia. It can also partly compensate for lack of exercise, muscle contraction in people who because of illness or age are forced to remain inactive.
o In these cases, massage helps return venous blood to the heart and thus eases tension in this vital organ.
o Massage improves muscle tone and helps prevent muscle atrophy, which is the result of forced inactivity. One does not need to be sick to enjoy a Shiatsu treatment.
o Massage helps maintain good health and has no harmful side effects.