What is Shiatsu?
What is Shiatsu and the benefits to you? Shiatsu is one of the most recognized, and scientifically examined forms of massage to come out of Japan. It was created by Tokujiro Namikoshi in the 1940′s. Tokujiro took the combination of Chinese massage techniques and the Western world’s understanding of human anatomy to design a new form of therapeutic massage.
From these humble beginnings Shiatsu massage has moved in a wide variety of directions. Tokujiro’s methods of Shiatsu massage has become recognized as the primary form by the Japanese government, and it is even required to complete a 2200 hour course of college instruction to practice in Japan. It is recognized formally as an important method of therapy throughout Japan.
Other methods of Shiatsu have embraced additional ideas from Chinese medicine, specifically their thoughts on the energy meridians of the body. The basic techniques remain closely related, with the use of the hands, palms, and fingers to apply massage and pressure on critical points of the body to relieve stress, re-balance the body, and decrease or remove pain. One form, Zen Shiatsu, includes using the elbows, knees, and other body parts during the massage technique in order to stimulate the energy meridians of the body.
While many other countries have not formally added Shiatsu massage as a traditional treatment method, there are similar 2200 hour courses offered in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the USA showing their wide acceptance. The practice of Shiatsu massage has spread worldwide, and is enjoyed and embraced by people on every continent.
Where many forms of alternative therapy have been tested in scientific means and shown to have little benefit, Shiatsu has been shown to decrease stress, improve emotions, and is effective in reducing certain forms of pain.
While you can find numerous books, videos, and even massage machines which are designed to teach you, or give you a Shiatsu massage, they may not give you what you are expecting. A trained Shiatsu masseuse has trained for thousands of hours, has learned to properly diagnose a patients issues, and then to administer the massage in the proper locations for relief. The most difficult portion may be the diagnosis phase. A trained Shiatsu expert asks careful questions, examines the body, and only then will start the treatment. Shiatsu is a form of massage therapy, not a generalized relaxation massage.
What is Shiatsu’s role in improving your health? It will not take the place of a medical Doctor, and has never attempted to become a replacement. This is one of the reasons it has maintained a reputation of being a legitimate form of therapy, and not one filled with false promises. It can help relieve body pain, reduce stress, and improve your outlook on life. The reduction in pain and stress can aid in the healing of other bodily issues, but is not considered a stand alone solution to major medical problems. Give a treatment a try, you will love it.
