Reflexology

Reflexology and Shiatsu share certain similarities of technique and theory in that both utilize pressure on the body and use the idea that the internal organs can be affected by stimulation of reflex areas or points distant from the organs themselves. In reflexology, the feet are regarded as microcosm of the whole body, with certain areas mapped out on the sole and top of the foot corresponding to organs, limbs, glands, senses, and general functions such as circulation or speech. Because of the rich supply of nerves in the feet, pressure on a precise reflex area can have an effect elsewhere in the body via the path ways of the nervous system.

Both reflexology and Shiatsu rely upon the sensitivity of the practitioner's hands to effect treatment, but otherwise technique is fairly different. The standard reflexology "rotating thumb technique" is never used in Shiatsu.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture and Shiatsu have common roots and share elements of theory. Whether a patient choose acupuncture or Shiatsu as a therapy will depend upon personal preference and upon heath condition. Some people like the physical closeness of Shiatsu, with its nurturing and cosseting feeling. Others like the distance of the needle. Practitioners who use both techniques tend to use acupuncture for acute, painful conditions such as arthritis, migraine, frozen shoulder, and any kind of blockage or pain. They see Shiatsu as a more nourishing and tonifying therapy that works well for chronic persistent conditions that need long work at a deeper level.

Healing

Healing - laying on of hands has the ability to bring relief to others.

The practitioner directs healing energy, usually in the form of light or colour, to the painful or affected areas.

It is done by holding hands about two or three inches off the body, at the “etheric” level. Or touching the body lightly

The patient can feel a sensation of warmth, movement, or of a breeze passing by the part being worked upon.

Where to place the hands and when to move to another area depends upon experience and intuition.

It takes time to learn to listen to and trust the small still voice that says “work on the left side of the neck” or “hold the kidney area.”

Everybody has the ability to heal. Everyone in the “caring professions,” orthodox or alternative, is there because of his or her desire and ability to heal others.

Massage and Shiatsu

Massage and Shiatsu share many aspects:
The warm and compassionate touch of another human being, encouraging the body to let go and relax.

Both forms work on the physical site of pain or stiffness and can release emotional disturbances.

Western massage theory and knowledge of physiology can be used to explain the mechanisms of physical dysfunction.

Shiatsu, on the other hand, also enjoys the more poetic, yet commonsense, explanation embodied in oriental medical theory to give the patient an overall view of the condition.

Shiatsu and other therapies

Where does Shiatsu stand in relation to other therapies?
I feel that Shiatsu occupies an area of middle ground between acupuncture, massage, and healing, because it shares certain essential aspects with all three of these disciplines. In addition, Shiatsu has strong similarities and links with both reflexology and yoga. The combination of these forms a unique and powerful tool for healing and change. Shiatsu has a very distinctive feel that is unlike other forms of bodywork, and this often comes as a surprise to people accustomed to experiencing massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology.

(Excerpt from The complete illustrated guide to Shiatsu, the Japanese healing art of touch for health and fitness By Elaine Liechti)

Shiatsu can help:

Many conditions are particularly suitable for Shiatsu treatment, including headaches and migraine, acute and chronic back pain (especially if of muscular origin), sciatica, muscular stiffness and injuries, some form of arthritis, and rheumatic complaints. Working as it does on the body’s internal organ, Shiatsu can also have a role in the treatment of digestive and intestinal disorders and circulator, respiratory, and reproductive problems. Because Shiatsu works on relaxing the body at a deep level and contacting the more subtle aspects of one’s energetic makeup, it can also help in the treatment of anxiety, tension, depression, and emotional instability.
(Excerpt from The complete illustrated guide to Shiatsu, the Japanese healing art of touch for health and fitness By Elaine Liechti)

Treatment and Prevention

Like other alternative therapies and natural healing, Shiatsu body massage is concerned with preventative measures. Shiatsu keeps the body in balance, flexible and healthy.

In the oriental view, an imbalance of Ki develops before the symptoms of illness occur. Regular Shiatsu body massage treatment can help to pinpoint any patterns of imbalance in the body’s Ki structure by ironing out those disturbances before they become entrenched.

For people suffering from health problems, combining Shiatsu body massage therapy, can be of great benefit, both as a discipline in its own right and in concert with other complementary and orthodox treatments.

Experience Shiatsu practitioner may explain the imbalance in terms of oriental theory to help the patient understand his or her condition.

Some practitioners suggest lifestyle and dietary changes to aid healing.

In between treatment sessions, stretching exercises and points to press may form part of a patent’s ‘homework’ to sustain the effect of the treatment.

Many people find that having a Shiatsu body massage session once a month, is a useful part of their general health maintenance programme, rather like having a dental check-up or medical appointment.

People also comment, “I didn’t know that part was sore until you pressed it” or they find that unexpressed emotions can be discharged in the “safe space” of the massage treatment room. The physical and psychological release obtained during Shiatsu body massage therapy can make life more comfortable and in some cases can make it bearable.

Standard meridian abbreviations

ST: Stomach
BL: Bladder
LU: Lung
LI: Large Intestine
SI: Small Intestine
KD: Kidney
BL: Bladder
LIV: Liver
GB: Gall Bladder
SP: Spleen
HT: Heart
TH: Triple HeaterHG: Heart Governor

Awareness

When you practise shiatsu massage with hara awareness, you are developing your internal resources and this will affect other aspects of your life.

Using the hara also encompasses your psychological and emotional wellbeing.
When you focus on your inner centre, it also helps to harmonize mind, body, and spirit.
It can help build a sense of self-confidence.

You are also enhancing your capacity to transmit healing energy to others.

Location

The hara is located in the abdomen area around a central point about three finger-widths below the navel known as the tanden.

Hara is also the centre of its “life force”, as well as the pivotal point of the body in terms of weight distribution,

In shiatsu body massage, you always aim to utilize energy from the hara to apply pressure, not the muscular strength of the limb you are using.

Pressure or movement directed from this centre is backed up by the weight and vitality of the body and less exertion is required.

Tanden and hara

Using weight and gravity in Shiatsu Massage

Your tanden is located three finger-widths below your navel.
Your hara, in Japanese, or centre of gravity, surrounds your tanden.

The essence of shiatu massage is the use of pressure without force. The key to appreciating the difference is an understanding of the role of your hara or centre of gravity .

Do-in Exercises

Practice these exercises daily to maintain suppleness, strength, and optimum sensitivity in your hands and feet. They can be practised at any time, but you should take care to work on the left and right sides equally. Even if you do not perform shiatsu every day, you will feel the benefit of these exercises in every manual task you undertake. Start by shaking out your hands to loosen any unconscious tension.

1 Hold your big toe and rotate it around its knuckle while exerting a gentle pull. Do this in both directions and repeat for each toe on both feet.

2 Pull each toe backwards so that you feel a gentle stretch in the underside of the foot. Hold the stretch for a few moments, breathing steadily.


3 Use a loosely clenched fist to tap firmly all over the sole of each foot. Enjoy the energizing, tingling feeling in your feet when you stop tapping.


Moving ki from wrist to fingertip:
4 Grip one hand just below the wrist with the other. On an out breath, squeeze and pull downwards from the wrist to the fingertips. Repeat several times on each hand.

Wrist-flexing
5 Place your palms together in front of your chest. Press your hands inwards and downwards until you feel a stretch in the heel of your hand. Then turn our hands so the fingers are pointing downward and press inward and upwards until you feel the stretch.

Widening the finger span
6 Insert the closed fist of one hand into the space between each of your fingers on the other hand, pressing in until you feel a stretch. Do this for both hands.

(Excepts from Secrets of Shiatsu by Cathy Meeus)

Special exercise

A special exercise called “do-in exercises” can help to improve the flexibility and strength of the massage therapists’ hands and feet. You can feel an improvement in the blood flow through your fingers, hands, toes and feet. Remember to work on the right and left sides equally.

Improving energy flow

- Every morning, stimulate energy flow in your hand and feet by dipping them in cold water.
- Walk barefoot to provide the joints and muscles of the feet with healthy exercise.
- After a long periods of massaging the customers, writing, typing, or other activities that can cause a build-up of tension in the fingers and hands, shake out your hands regularly during the day.

General care for massage therapist

Respect the receiver, make sure that your hands are clean and pleasant looking, therefore regular care is important. Keep your hands and feet clean and well-manicured.
Keep your fingernails short, never allowing the nail to grow longer than your fingertip.
This is important because long nails can cause injury to the receiver when you apply fingertip pressure.
Do not expose your hands to harsh detergents that can inflame and damage the skin. And use a hand cream daily if your skin has a tendency to roughness.

Feet

Your feet, too, play an important part in the effectiveness of your shiatsu, through providing a sound grounding.
Do not let the flow of ki be impaired by muscle tension, so keeping your feet supple and relaxed during the massage is important.

Hands

Fingers and Hand need to be supple, strong, and sensitive to the variety of signals conveyed by the customer’s body.
Try to eliminate tension, which will block your ki flow and reduces your ability to sense the subtle differences in the customer’s energy state during massage.

Take care of your hands and feet

Your fingers, thumbs, palms, wrists and feet are used to apply pressure to the customer’s body.
Thus the quality of massage depends on their condition.
Therefore do take care of your hands and feet as they are your main tools for giving shiatsu massage.

Meridians and their elements

In our body there are meridians channels through which energy, or ki, flows in the body. The meridians are like maps of rivers. Ki can be visualized much like water flowing in the river: sometimes it floods, sometimes it is dry. There are six pairs of meridians, which relate to different organs in the body.

The Meridians and their elements:
Stomach and Spleen – Earth
Bladder and Kidney – Water
Gal Bladder and Liver - Wood
Lung and large Intestine – Metal
Heart and Small Intestine – Fire
Heart Protector and Triple Heater – Fire

How does Shiatsu works?

Shiatsu works by enabling ki or energy to flow smoothly throughout the body meridians.
Sometimes our body’s ki is blocked, and this can cause health problems. Shiatsu aims to relieve these blockages.