Japanese Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu Massage - How you can Benefit

Shiatsu is a relaxing treatment that can be beneficial for stress, back pain, headaches, neck stiffness, joint pain, reduced mobility, whiplash injuries and sports injuries.

Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning 'finger pressure'. Shiatsu massage is a therapeutic technique that uses the fingers and palms to apply pressure to particular parts of the body, the intent being to maintain good health and help ward off illness, the manipulative techniques and hand pressure work to correct the imbalances of the body.

Shiatsu was incorporated into the Japanese culture approximately 1,500 years ago. Today, the Shiatsu Massage is, in fact, just one out of a large assortment of Japanese massage methods known as Nihon Kaifuku Anma.

The Shiatsu Massage is the best known among them all and the one most often used in Japan and elsewhere around the world. It is based on the meridian system passed down from ancient Chinese arts of healing as well as old Japanese teachings.

How Does Shiatsu Massage Work?

Early forms of massage used rubbing, squeezing, stroking, tapping, pushing and pulling in order to influence the circulatory system and the muscles of the body. Shiatsu massage is much simpler.

The palms, fingers and thumbs are used to apply a still, relaxed pressure at various points on the body. Despite the apparent simplicity, these uncomplicated movements can have a profound effect on the body's energy on a subtle level ensuring it flows smoothly.

Also known as Zen Shiatsu, there are several different types of shiatsu massage. Some concentrate on acupressure points, others emphasize more general work on the body.

Meridians

Stated very briefly, meridians are the conduits, or energy channels, by which Chi (gi) and blood continually flow through the body. Any interference with this flow of energy translates in an imbalance within the body which leads to an energy that is either depleted (kyoto) or overactive (jitsu) and symptoms of illness and disease occur.

There are twelve major meridians which are directly associated with vital internal organs: kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, lungs, pericardium, bladder, gall bladder, stomach, small and large intestines as well as the body’s temperature regulating system. The Yin (negative) meridians flow upwards while the yang (positive) meridians flow downwards.

Being a “touch communication” and an effective, preventive, Eastern medicine the first and foremost goal of the Shiatsu Massage is to refine and perfect the body’s natural functions before health issues appear rather than after.

The human body, in the Shiatsu philosophy, is viewed as a microcosmic miniature universe within the entire universe and both are reigned over by the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) and the yin and the yang. In a healthy state of body and mind, no element is dominant over any other element and that is what is to be strived for.

A Shiatsu Back Massage

There is no sound to this video, but it should be pretty clear.

What Happens During a Shiatsu Session?

As explained, when an individual experiences a headache, it is viewed as more than just one event. It is not simply a pain occurring in the head to be healed with no regard for its origins. It is seen as an obstruction of chi.

Chi relates to the overall energy patterns of an individuals body, their particular circumstances and lifestyle. Treatment therefore, will be applied to the body as a whole and not just to the area where pain is being experienced. Treating the body as a whole rather than attempting to stop the superficial symptoms brings about a more effective and longer lasting change.

During a Shiatsu massage session, the practitioner uses palms, fingers and thumbs to detect and correct problems on the surface of the body. This practice is referred to as 'diagnosis and therapy combined'
The prevention and recovery of illnesses is promoted by stimulating the immune system.

The Shiatsu Massage is performed while the client is wearing loose clothing of natural fibers and reclining on a floor mat. As the treatment works deeply on the entire being, the physiological, psychological, and the spiritual, a variety of reactive emotions may come to the surface and the client may experience bouts of crying, laughing, joyous exclamations or mere stillness. These are all positive signs that the body is amending old energy patterns.

Benefits of Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu massage helps supports individuals in moving towards a greater sense of health and well-being by adjusting the body's physical structure and its natural inner energies.

Additional benefits include:

• Calming of nervousness as well as reducing mental anxiety and depression.
• Improvement of the blood circulation and, with it, the flow of gi and fresh oxygen.
• Lowering high blood pressure and reducing of stress.
• Relaxing deep muscles and other soft tissues (tendons, ligaments, joints, connective tissue and skin).
• Relieving symptomatic aches and pains (headaches, backaches, stiff or pulled muscles and leg cramps) due to stress, overuse, menopause, constipation and so on and on.
• Improving respiratory and digestive systems.
• Alleviating the symptoms of arthritis, 
• Releasing and clearing out metabolic waste and toxins.
• Enhancing the body’s immune system for disease prevention.
• Increasing flexibility and the range of motion.
• Raising mental and spiritual awareness and clarity.
• Promoting the overall feeling of energy, vigor, rejuvenation and wellness.

As with most massage therapies, Shiatsu massage may not be appropriate for certain medical conditions. These include, but are not limited to, acute disorders, malignant tumours, acute inflammation, serious internal organ disease and ulcers. As with any complimentary therapy you should contact your physician before embarking on a course of treatment.

Shiatsu Massage - Attending a Session

Your first session will start with an initial consultation. During discussion you advise your practitioner which areas you would like to have worked on. You should wear thin, loose, comfortable clothing, such as cotton or linen when attending a session and expect to lie flat on the floor.

Your massage will involve the rotating and stretching of joints, manipulation of pressure points, and deep breathing.

Proponents of Shiatsu massage believe it is both healing and preventative. They suggest that regular sessions together with stretching, exercise, and a healthy diet, may improve your health. To get the best results from a shiatsu massage, seek out a suitably trained and qualified practitioner.

For More FREE info on the benefits of Shiatsu massage and other forms of massage from experienced professionals visit http://www.privatelyyours.co.uk.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Price

A Shiatsu Massage, expertly performed by Kitty Miyamoto 

Homedics Therapist Select Shiatsu Chairs

To learn more about Shiatsu...

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese bodywork that makes use of the fingers and palms. It's very similar in concept to acupuncture, but without the needles.

Zen shiatsu adds Zen Mediation to the therapy, with the intent being a better sensitivity to how the client reacts to the massage.

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