Facts about Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a finger pressure massage therapy whose origin is traced to the East. It refers to “finger pressure” where “Shi” means finger and “atsu” pressure. It is a traditional massage therapy which is non-invasive and deeply relaxing. It involves the use of fingers and the thumb to apply pressure to the body parts.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu
Shiatsu and How It Started
Alternative Therapy

Shiatsu originated in Japan and is a non-invasive physical therapy that stimulates the body’s own healing powers to release symptoms. Shiatsu is characterized as a Japanese “finger pressure” healing therapy which emphasizes specific pressure and stretches applied to the body. Although Shiatsu’s origins are Japanese, this massage technique works along side with the traditional Chinese system of Qi (vital force of energy).

Due to their effect on the nervous system, Shiatsu treatments help relieve stress and pain, as well as improve muscle, organ, and joint function. This deep but gentle approach to preventative health care has many long term benefits for people of all ages.

In the evolution of Shiatsu there were vast contributions by three Japanese individuals during the twentieth century named:

• Tokujiro Namikoshi

• Shizuto Masunaga

• Katsusuke Serizawa

Tokujiro Namikoshi Tokujiro Namikoshi discovered his system of Shiatsu through trial and error, as a growing boy on Hokkaido, a northern Japanese island. Tokujiro’s mother had rheumatoid arthritis causing him to continually trying to help his mom. He slowly discovered his treatments were more effective if he increased his ratio of pressing to rubbing techniques. Eventually her body healed itself. Later Tokujiro realized that by pressing on the muscles on either side of the middle region of her spine, he was stimulating the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, the cure for rheumatism! After completing his studies Tokujiro opened the Shiatsu Institute of Therapy in Hokkaido (1925) and another rin Tokya (1940). Further leading to a worldwide expansion through Europe and the US. The Namikoshi style of Shiatsu involves a very thorough whole body treatment, but perhaps due to Tokujiro’s focus on getting Shiatsu legally recognized in Japan by appealing to Western medical theories, he does not incorporate meridian theory into his style. His style requires a thorough knowledge of the musculo-skeletal structure of the body, and the nervous system, emphasizing neuro-muscular points. Shizuto Masunaga In the latter part of the twentieth century Shizuto Masunaga brought Shiatsu back to its Eastern roots, emphasizing meridians and the Five Element theory. He was a student of Western psychology and Chinese medicine, very interested in the spiritual, psychological and emotional aspects of individuals. This led to his creation of Zen Shiatsu reflecting the simple and direct approach to Spirituality exhibited by Japanese Buddhist monks. Zen Shiatsu introduced a diagnostic system known as Kyo/Jitsu , which explains energy imbalances in meridians, according to deficiencies (Kyo) and excesses (Jitsu). It also introduces the Makko-Ho exercises, which are specially designed exercises to help individuals’ correct imbalances in the flow of Ki energy through their own meridian systems. Masunaga opened the Iokai Shiatsu Centre in Tokyo. Katsusuke Serizawa The third noteworthy figure in the development of Shiatsu in this century is Katsusuke Serizawa, who concentrated on the Tsubos (effective points on the meridians). He was able to prove the existence of Tsubos using modern electrical measurements of the skin. He called his system Tsubo therapy and advocated the use of any kind of stimulation of the Tsubos, from moxibustion to acupuncture or acupressure. A style of Shiatsu known as Acupressure Shiatsu is a Western derivative of Tsubo Therapy. There are many modernized forms of Shiatsu. Each form combines components of these traditional styles in one way or another. What all methods have in common is manipulation of Ki, and all the methods involve "leaning" in one way or another to apply Shiatsu to the body. • Namikoshi (or Nippon Shiatsu), the form most often found in Japan - Whole body routine, incorporating stretches. Emphasis more on points than meridians. Can be vigorous. • Zen Shiatsu - Emphasis more on meridians. Can be vigorous or gentle. Intuition and connecting with client’s Ki is important. • Healing Shiatsu - Meditation, emphasis tends to be gentle (similar to Zen). • Shiatsu-Do - More stretches and movement than in Zen. Vigorous/dynamic. • Movement Shiatsu - Works with the meridian system incorporating light pressure on points, gentle manipulations and guided movement to bring awareness to energy patterns in the body and to resolve inner conflicts. How Shiatsu Works? Shiatsu is used as a treatment to balance a person’s distorted Qi. The Qi, also commonly spelled ch’I or ki, is a fundamental model of traditional Chinese culture. The Qi is known to be a type of life force or spiritual energy of every living thing that exists. Therefore, when a person is experiencing symptoms of ill health that appear in their body and mind, they are known to not have enough Qi, or the energy flow is not smooth. Thus, during a shiatsu treatment the therapist applies pressure to the areas where the Qi is insufficient, or its flow is distorted or still. The therapist may use thumbs, palms, elbows or knees to apply comfortable and constant pressure to the body. When the right amount of holding pressure is applied the flow returns to normal, and the excess or blocked energy is dispersed. Deep relaxation and balance can be experienced, causing stimulation the body’s own natural healing process. This natural therapy can help relieve tension and harmonize bodily functions.