On Shiatsu....

 

Following is an extract from a local TV programme aired this fall, featuring our head therapist Heather Donaldson.

 

What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is like a massage version of acupuncture. It works deeply on pressure points with no needles.

And doesn’t use the oils and stroking movements of Swedish massage.

For this reason the receiver just wears loose clothing.  The treatment leaves one feeling profoundly relaxed, in “balance” and with less tightness and pain. It involves gentle stretching and pressure covering both broad areas and specific points along defined lines or meridians.

A skilled therapists works with the body’s signals and adjusts a treatment accordingly.

 

Where did it come from?

It’s based on more than 3500 years of Asian medicine and knowledge.  The Chinese type massage made its way to Japan and was developed there along with western medicine in this last century.  

The word shiatsu translated from Japanese means finger pressure.   Now it is practiced throughout the world.  

It focuses on the body’s physical, emotional and energy systems.  The concept of balance derives from

traditional oriental healing principles.   The treatment attempts to balance opposing yin and yang qualities such as hot and cold excess and deficient.  While Shiatsu I do it embraces the oriental notion is of mind+body as one, I also take into account the more Western concepts of anatomy, physiology and pathology.

So really you have: East meets west.

What health problems can it help with?  

First it can help prevent problems. Regular shiatsu can keep you in balance so you don’t break down,

injure yourself or get sick.  

However, many people who have developed conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain,

stress or exercise related muscle tension, headaches, emotional problems, respiratory or digestive problems find benefits from getting shiatsu treatments.

 

Is it covered by insurance?  

Some insurance covers it. But Medical insurance is covering less and less now— de-listing, rather than adding to the list.  Because shiatsu therapy seems to be as effective and in some cases more effective than massage therapy, we are constantly lobbying for more insurance companies to cover it.  

Some of my clients have received both and they find the shiatsu treatment is deeper and more relaxing and longer-lasting.  

 

Does it hurt?  

You will feel an awareness of your tightness and soreness as I work, but in the process you will feel releasing and easing of the pressure . It should always be a good sensation and never continue in a way that makes you flinch or feel uncomfortable in any way.  

And I guess you’ll find out for yourself next week when I give you a sample treatment

 

Where do I go to find shiatsu?  

To find a professionally trained and Registered Shiatsu Therapist in your area, visit www.shiatsutherapy.ca  

The nice thing about shiatsu is that both the therapist and the receiver are in a relaxed state.

I simply align my body to apply perpendicular pressure, using my own body weight. I can work with you on a massage table, but this is not as effective or as comfortable for my body. Also as I said before, many people find this a deeper, more relaxing and longer-lasting treatment.   I am penetrating but, not really pressing;it is a two way connection: as you feel the gentle pressure, you relax and support my weight.  

As I am going through and feeling how you respond, I adjust my pressure accordingly.

This is something that one of those new massaging chairs can’t do I begin with broader palms and then work up to using more focused thumb pressure following the meridians& correct imbalances. 

Bladder meridian, along both sides of the spine, is good to work on if people are very tired and will help restore some energy.  I always include this in a full treatment.  I may sometimes use my knees, elbows or even my feet to apply pressure

On side of the body:

The side position gives easy access to the neck and the shoulders as well as to the side of the body

On face-up:

Stretching is a significant element of Shiatsu therapy (leg and neck stretches), also rotating the joints

A treatment wouldn’t be complete without some work on the feet –very relaxing

And I usually finish with some work on the head and neck stretches

And finally, connecting two points which help the body to rebalance

Treatments generally last 60 to 90 minutes, allowing for full coverage of the body and the deepest state of relaxation  

Heather Donaldson is a Registered Shiatsu Therapist /certified in aromatherapy massage. Learn more about Heather and her mobile massage services here