Shiatsu massage can relieve pain and stress, promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage the body’s natural healing mechanisms. It can also support emotional balance and wellness.
Cup the crests of the spine with your thumbs and fingers on both hands. Press and move your hand down the spine, accompanying your partner’s breathing.
Holistic Healing
Shiatsu is part of a holistic healing approach to health and wellness that has been around for thousands of years. It’s also called “complementary therapy” and “alternative medicine.”
The term holistic refers to treating the whole person, mind, body, spirit, emotions and other aspects of well-being. It focuses on preventative health and a healthier lifestyle rather than treating symptoms when they appear.
Both acupuncture and Shiatsu massage involve applying pressure with thumbs, fingers, hands and elbows to the body’s energy points, or meridians. The theory behind shiatsu is that the balance of these meridians promotes overall wellbeing. Chronic pain is often a recurring, unwelcome guest in our lives, and shiatsu is like a gentle bouncer that can show it the exit door. It can also help to lower anxiety and depression by increasing dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.
Energy Flow Balancing
According to the Eastern mindset, illness or disease results when a natural flow of energy in the meridians is disrupted. The Qi, a vital life force, moves through these pathways that connect the major organs and are accessible through points on the body. Shiatsu stimulates and harmonizes this flow of energy.
Similarly, acupuncture, yoga, tai chi and reiki all work to balance the body’s energy flows. By stimulating these energies, the immune system can more effectively fight diseases that may have a physical or psychological cause.
When choosing a Shiatsu practitioner, it’s important to identify a reputable professional with the proper qualifications and experience. Checking client testimonials, reading reviews and communicating your goals can help you choose the right person for your needs. Additionally, wearing loose, comfortable clothing makes it easier for the therapist to manipulate the pressure points and meridians.
Natural Healing Mechanisms
According to Eastern healing principles, Shiatsu harmonizes energy flow throughout the body’s acupressure points and meridian channels. This helps promote physical and emotional well-being.
In addition, Shiatsu helps improve the effectiveness of other medical or holistic treatments, such as acupuncture and psychotherapy. Shiatsu may be particularly effective for relieving stress, and encouraging relaxation, which in turn facilitates the body’s healing processes.
During a Shiatsu session, your massage therapist will use fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows and knuckles to apply pressure to the body’s energy meridians. Shiatsu massage also involves assisted stretching and joint mobilization techniques. Shiatsu massage has been shown to help relieve pain, reduce the effects of anxiety and depression, and encourage sleep.
Acupressure Points
While it is true that shiatsu and acupuncture share some similarities in philosophy and technique the differences are quite considerable in terms of technique. This analysis and a preliminary exploration of practitioners’ perceptions suggest that it is appropriate to make a clear distinction between these two disciplines especially in research studies and academic discussions.
Pressure point LI-4, also known as Hegu (her-gwann) is found on your arm and can be stimulated by applying pressure to the webbing between your thumb and index finger. This point can relieve headaches and reduce stress. It can also help if you are pregnant and need to go into labor. Avoid this point if the skin is peeling or blistering or there is an open wound or rash near the point.
Emotional Well-being
Shiatsu massage stimulates your glands to secrete more natural oil which can help reduce wrinkles and keep your skin moisturized. It also relieves stress, migraine headaches and anxiety while promoting a good night’s sleep.
In the Eastern mindset, sickness and disease are seen as a disruption of energy flow through your body’s meridians. spa Hoi An Your Shiatsu therapist acts as a skilled plumber using pressure points and techniques like kneading, tapping and stretching to clear the blockages and restore your natural balance and energy flow.
Although research into Shiatsu is improving in quantity and quality, it is not widely available in the West. However, several studies demonstrate a positive impact on pain, nausea and vomiting, and inducing labour.
