Quantum-Touch and Massage

Quantum-Touch is a powerful, easy to learn, energy healing modality.

It teaches us to focus and amplify life-force energy - "chi" by combining various breathing and body awareness exercises.

Massage Therapists can easily combine Quantum-Touch with their massage work to help clients who are in pain to help them heal by themselves.

Energy healing can also be applied where massage work may be contraindicated.

Massage therapists can use energy healing during the massage to increase the therapeutic work of the massage and allow the client to go into deep states of relaxation.

For more information visit www.quantumtouch.com

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.