In the Orient, most of Europe, as well in certain parts of the U.S.A. Shiatsu is considered to be one of the best health care methods in daily life. Shiatsu is capable of not only treating but also preventing disease. While conventional medicine is employed only when one is ill, Shiatsu is much like taking good care of one's car through caring and continuous maintenance. No Western medicine can guarantee that its use will not cause undesired side effects. Chinese Herbal Medicine, acupuncture and some other modalities cure symptoms but do not increase physical strength. Shiatsu Therapy aims to strengthen the mental and physical system of the individual.
The concept and philosophy of Zen Shiatsu incorporates proper, balanced nutrition in daily life, as vital to keep us healthy. Proper diet is the root of good health. Qi enters our body through air and food. It is the food that nourishes life. Therefore one should expect a Shiatsu therapist also to be knowledgeable about maintaining proper diet.
Modern daily life is very stressful. Stress disturbs proper digestion, and thus proper nutrition, and a balanced Qi flow. Since a lot of our tension is passively collected on our skin, it is the skin which is first to be affected by stress, and eventually conducts its magnetic distortions into the internal organs. Shiatsu treatments can provide both a healthy and a stress-ridden body, with the means of and establishing better stress management capacity stronger and more resilient body mind system, better human relationships or in short, everything essential for a good health. In other words the aims and the achievements of good Shiatsu therapy are :
Improving relaxation as means to fight the effects of stress.
Enhancing the patient's blood and lymphatic flow, thus boosting the vitality and the immune system. Alleviation of pains and stiffness. Ability to confront both transient as well as chronic conditions. Development of healing compassion through healing touch.
In Shiatsu, the therapist and the patient create a warm and understanding relationship through touch pressure. Those lacking self-awareness benefit from Shiatsu through its skin stimulation, and sometimes discomfort, which tunes them into what is happening in their body. By making the patient aware, the therapist actually guides the patient back to normal life.
Shiatsu is mostly administered, to a patient wearing a single layer of comfortable clothing, which allows for conduction of the skin's resonance. Although this is the prevalent form of practice, in some places inside the U.S.A. and throughout the world, Shiatsu is administered to bare skin, in pursuit of a better sensation of the Qi flow. Giving Shiatsu in the clothed manner is based on the assumption that: a) the patient is much less inhibited by the touch and b) a direct contact with the skin may distort the giver's focus and perception of the Qi flow.
Shiatsu can be administered on the floor, on a carpet or on a futon in a variety of positions lying on the back, l on the stomach, or on the side, or even sitting up. The practitioner can access the relevant pressure points (Tsubos), and perform the necessary stretches, in every one of these positions. However, the choice of the position should be most comfortable to both giver and receiver. Before the receiver is offered to lie down, it may be advisable to soothe his/her possible apprehensions, by simply standing along side the patient and gently placing your palm on the patient's upper back. It is a warm "greeting" and introductory soothing and reassuring gesture.
As the session gets under way, it is the prerogative of the patient to initiate any conversation with the therapist. It is best to keep an empty mind and quiet throughout the session, thus promoting the meditative focus. However, I find that promoting correct breathing technique along with professional use of Reflexology (by air diffusion only), as well as playing soft meditative music, can be very beneficial.
It is necessary to address the topic of discomfort, often wrongly associated with Shiatsu therapy.
In a Shiatsu session pressure is applied gradually, with a great sensitivity with the intention of regaining balance in the flow of life's vital energy (Qi). Sometimes, a number of these points may be obstructed, and does not allow for a healthy flow of this energy.
During a Shiatsu session mild pressure is necessary to stimulate the tsubos, however, those stagnated, blocked tsubos, may respond with some degree of a sensation defined by some as "good pain" by others as "pressure", and by some - as pain. Upon sensing discomfort, the therapist may lighten his pressure over the particular point, until discomfort is acceptable.
The application of pressure in Zen Shiatsu is performed simultaneously with both hands.
Many times we use the hands for two different roles: while one hand " tonifies"
(= stimulates) certain "weak" (koyo) meridian - the other one applies stationary light touch to the "hyper" (jitsu) meridian which needs to be "calmed". Sometimes both hands are used to stimulate, and sometimes both are used to sedate. The pressure is applied until we feel the Qi rising, and filling the weak part of the channel.
A typical Zen Shiatsu session includes also stretching of the limbs and certain body areas . Since Zen Shiatsu is a very fluid and mobile practice, we often combine the stretch with pressure application. The stretching, besides being very pleasant and relaxing, helps open blocked meridians, very much like the untangling of a garden hose full of pressurized water, in order to resume normal flow.Since the therapist is adjusting the patient's system, one
must remember, that although Shiatsu has no "side-effects" - the patient may sometimes feel very relaxed, or even tired after the session. Other times, he may feel energized and slightly "hyper".
After a session, I recommend that patients go home and rest a while (not necessarily sleep), and avoid driving long distances. During the twenty four hours following the treatment, many times a lot of toxins are released, and should be flushed-out. So the patient is asked to drink a lot of water to assist this process.
Under any conditions the Holistic work provided by the WellPath Holistic therapists is NOT to be considered as an substitute to a medicinal intervention. The results of our work is considered Therapeutic but not Medicinal. We do not, under any circumstances claim to diagnose , provide medical prognosis or promise miraculous recovery. The act of signing the Patient Medical History form is a waiver signed by the client waving any and all claims of liability for the development or worsening in client’s medicinal physical and mental condition. Reminder : Therapeutic Massage in NOT sexual. The following level of clarity is apparently needed: the term 'full body' does not include the genital or anal regions. Any licensed Massage Therapist who performs such acts should be reported to the North Carolina Board of Massage Therapy or the Police.
Shiatsu is mostly administered, to a patient wearing a single layer of comfortable clothing, which allows for conduction of the skin's resonance. Although this is the prevalent form of practice, in some places inside the U.S.A. and throughout the world, Shiatsu is administered to bare skin, in pursuit of a better sensation of the Qi flow. Giving Shiatsu in the clothed manner is based on the assumption that: a) the patient is much less inhibited by the touch and b) a direct contact with the skin may distort the giver's focus and perception of the Qi flow.
The application of pressure in Zen Shiatsu is performed simultaneously with both hands.