Shiatsu

Shiatsu

What is shiatsu?

 

Shiatsu is an ancient form of oriental medicine dating back 5000 years to the beginning of acupuncture. It is a traditional Japanese healing art, which literally translated means ‘finger pressure’.

The Shiatsu practitioner uses his/her own fingers, palms, elbows, knees and feet to press along meridian lines of the body. These meridian lines, which have been described as “channels of living magnetic energy in the body”, pass through the body and connect the vital organs. The functions of the meridians are much wider and encompass the whole being, at the emotional, mental and physical level.

 

How can shiatsu help?

 

Shiatsu can help maintain an individual’s health, vitality and stamina. It also strengthens the vital organs and prevents energy from getting blocked in the body. Shiatsu can help in a wide range of short-term disorders such as anxiety, fear or panic and with chronic conditions including depression, migraine headache, backache, injuries and other stress-related conditions.

 

Many of you may have had to make radical changes in your lives to accommodate the changing needs of your health as you go through cancer treatment. As a consequence, you may no longer feel in control of your life. Poor health, loss of earnings, the impact of breast cancer on your life and relationships, the inevitable side effects of treatment, the grief of losing your breast or hair and the fear that can accompany a life threatening disease all place enormous mental, emotional and physical stress upon an individual. Shiatsu can help to minimise such stresses. It is a deeply relaxing, nourishing, calming and restorative experience and regular sessions help prevent the build up of stress in our daily lives.

 

What happens in a shiatsu session?

 

The session begins with an assessment, then, wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing, you are asked to lie on a futon or massage couch. Shiatsu can be adapted for most people and, if they are unable to lie down, treatments can also be done seated.

 

Generally the practitioner works on the whole of the body. Although a shiatsu practitioner may include a range of techniques and approaches in each session, treatments can be characterised as having three main features: relaxed pressure applied to points, stretching and mobilisation of joints.

 

At the end of the session the practitioner may suggest and demonstrate some simple and practical exercises for you to do at home to contribute to the process of recovery and healing.

 

When can shiatsu be given?

 

Shiatsu can be given at any time but care is taken after surgery with the affected area.

 

Number and length of appointments

 

The Shiatsu session lasts about one hour in total. The session is given with you fully dressed but preferably wearing loose fitting clothes of natural fibre to allow for movement. The number of treatments may vary according to individual need