Shiatsu is a form of bodywork that is based in traditional Chinese medicine and the popular anma massage style. However, shiatsu is considered to be a Japanese style. Many practitioners tried to adapt and modify shiatsu massage to accommodate to their own styles and beliefs. As a result nowadays we know about macrobiotic shiatsu, barefoot shiatsu, Oha shiatsu and Zen Shiatsu.

The word “shiatsu” means “finger pressure” and this describes the main technique. This technique involves putting pressure on specific spots on an energy channel to increase the energy flow through that meridian. This is the basic of shiatsu massage therapy. This technique can include patting, shaking, pinching, rolling, vibrating, plucking and also just holding an area for a time. A shiatsu treatment includes assisted stretching as a warming

Dress up for a shiatsu massage therapy

While a shiatsu treatment the patient lies on the floor on a futon or a shiatsu mat. For the treatment you will not be asked to undress. Still it’s recommended to wear comfortable clothing. Loose clothing will make some of the techniques go more smoothly. During the treatment are pressed the same spots that are used in acupunture, except the fact that shiatsu doesn’t use needles. The spots are pressed moving in one direction. During your shiatsu treatment the room should be quiet and fairly dark. Some soft music playing keeps the stimulation down, which makes the session more relaxing.

What feelings you meet after the treatment?

Right after the session most of the people feel healthy and full of energy. Some people who started the session stressed and “hyper”, at the end will feel very relaxed and sometimes even sleepy especially after a neck massage. Usually after the first shiatsu massage you may feel symptoms of a cold (sneezing and stuffiness). That means that after the treatment the toxins were cleared from inside of the body and tissues and was activated the healing process. In terms of emotions, few people tend to be more emotional after a shiatsu session. These emotional effects appear right after the first treatment. These emotions are all temporary and don’t last more than two days.

Some people don’t feel any effect after a shiatsu massage. People who don’t really take care of their bodies will still benefit from the shiatsu massage therapy, but they may not notice them. People who suffer from obesity and the layers of fat may effect in negative way the energy flow and it won’t be stimulated as it should be. Depending on how sensitive you are, will result in how much benefit you will get from the shiatsu massage therapy. Some of the effects are hard feel because they can be very subtle. Later you may realize that things like nagging soreness you had in your arm is now gone, or may be you are one of those people who are not noticing little things that normally upset you.

The benefits after a shiatsu session would include mostly the same ones you will find in other forms of bodywork – for example, deep relaxation, stress relief, more muscular flexibility and increased energy and stamina. But because shiatsu balances the systems in the body – muscular, nervous, skeletal, circulatory, digestive, endocrine and others – means that its effects can be more comprehensive and can last longer.

If you’ve thought about trying Asian medicine, but the idea of being stuck with many little needles makes you anxious, you might want to consider shiatsu. It has many of the same benefits, or you may watch some very good shiatsu training videos to see it by yourself.