| Shiatsu is from the Japanese word shi meaning | | | | The main effect of the modernization of Shiatsu |
| finger and atsu meaning pressure. It is | | | | was in the ratio of pressing to rubbing. Anma |
| characterized by the systematic application of | | | | massage held a ratio of 80% rubbing to 20% |
| pressure with the fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows, | | | | pressing. Shiatsu reversed this to 80% pressing |
| forearms, knees and feet on specific points | | | | and 20% rubbing. |
| (tsubos), and areas (meridians) on the body. Unlike | | | | Standards of Practice |
| acupressure, Shiatsu uses not only the main | | | | The minimum standard of practice for |
| acupuncture points located on a meridian, but also | | | | professional Shiatsu therapists is 500 hours. This |
| the spaces in between those points. It does not | | | | standard is used in Britain, Europe, Australia and |
| use typical massage mediums such as oils or | | | | some parts of the U.S. Shiatsu is unregulated in |
| creams, and as such can be done through clothing. | | | | Canada, and there are both longer and shorter |
| Shiatsu is traditionally practised on the floor on a | | | | programs available. A prospective student should |
| thin futon. | | | | look for things such as course curriculum, |
| The basic premise of Shiatsu is that pressure is | | | | experienced instructors, quality of teaching and a |
| applied at a perpendicular angle to the plane of the | | | | supportive learning environment when selecting a |
| body and held for approximately 3 to 7 seconds. | | | | school. |
| In many styles of Shiatsu there is a support hand | | | | Therapeutic Benefits of Shiatsu |
| which remains stationary, and a working hand | | | | Shiatsu can be used to treat a wide variety of |
| which applies pressure along the meridian. The | | | | conditions, pain being the most common. Often |
| most common application of pressure is with the | | | | pain, particularly in the soft tissues, is treated by |
| palm and thumb. The depth of pressure or weight | | | | Western medicine with muscle relaxants and pain |
| is gauged according to the client's condition and | | | | killers. Shiatsu seeks to treat the underlying cause |
| constitution. | | | | of pain, as well as the symptoms. |
| The sustained application of pressure during a | | | | In my own practice, I have seen numerous cases |
| Shiatsu treatment activates the | | | | of Shiatsu's unique healing properties. One |
| mechano-receptor cells in the body and the | | | | particular client's recovery using Shiatsu was |
| parasympathetic nervous system, often resulting | | | | especially rewarding. Several years ago, this client |
| in a change of brain wave patterns. This allows | | | | visited me with severe TMJ (temporomandibular |
| the body to relax, promotes the smooth flow of | | | | joint) pain. It was so severe she could not open |
| blood and qi (ki in Japanese) or vital life force, and | | | | her mouth fully and was restricted to eating soft, |
| activates the natural or innate healing power of | | | | mushy foods. She had been feeling pain in the jaw |
| the individual. | | | | for about 1-1/2 years, and now she was |
| Shiatsu uses the primal sense of touch along the | | | | experiencing severe headaches as well. She had |
| body's largest organ (skin) to exact change on a | | | | gone to see several specialists who |
| cellular level. In doing so, stored traumas and | | | | recommended surgery. |
| emotional issues can often be released and | | | | Shiatsu done on her neck and shoulders provided |
| resolved. | | | | considerable relief after just one treatment. By |
| Shiatsu's roots can be traced to China and a style | | | | the end of the third treatment all pain and |
| of massage known as Anma. In the 6th century | | | | accompanying symptoms were gone. She couldn't |
| A.D., there was a migration of Buddhism from | | | | believe the results and was now even able to |
| China to Japan, along with a concurrent migration | | | | manage a smile! I was especially surprised that |
| of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including Anma | | | | the recovery came so quickly, as I had |
| massage. Anma, the precursor of Shiatsu, | | | | anticipated at least 6 to 10 treatments. |
| underwent considerable refinement in Japan, and | | | | The role of the Shiatsu therapist is to help |
| flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868). | | | | activate the natural healing and recuperative |
| Shiatsu's popularity was increasing by the 1900s, | | | | powers of the patient. Regular treatments are |
| and underwent further refinements as Japan | | | | important when there is a chronic condition, but |
| became more Westernized. Tamai Tempaku | | | | Shiatsu is most effective when used preventively. |
| wrote Shiatsu Ryoho - Finger Pressure Way of | | | | The cumulative effect of treatments helps to |
| Healing in 1915 and Shiatsu Ho - Finger Pressure | | | | strengthen the immune system, tonify organs, |
| Method in 1919. Then in 1925, Tokujiro Namikoshi | | | | and keep the qi and blood flowing smoothly. |
| started the Clinic of Pressure Therapy in Hokkaido | | | | Shiatsu is very old, powerful medicine with its |
| and the Japan Shiatsu Institute in 1940. Shiatsu | | | | roots at least 5,000 years in the past. Yet it still |
| gained official recognition as a treatment modality | | | | remains an important and potent way for people |
| in 1955, and in 1964 emerged as a form of | | | | to connect with themselves, their health, and their |
| bodywork distinct from Anma and Swedish | | | | environment in the fast-paced 21st century. |
| massage. It was introduced into Canada in 1971. | | | | |