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Shiatsu massage treats common psychological and physical complaints by pressing pressure points. Proponents believe it alleviates disorders such as depression, anxiety, nausea, stiffness, headaches, arthritis, cramps, or pulled muscles. This Japanese equivalent of the Chinese method of acupressure comes from the Japanese words "shi" and "atsu," meaning "finger pressure."

A shiatsu masseuse first makes his or her diagnosis, assessing where chi flows healthily and where it may be siphoned or obstructed. They will ask if you have any specific ailments, and then do light massaging to feel which pressure points are stiff or tender. These pressure points lie along fourteen meridians running the length of your body. Once diagnosing your problem areas, the masseuse gently but firmly applies pressure using his or her fingers, knuckles, thumbs, palms, toes, feet, knees, and elbows.

When visiting a practitioner of shiatsu massage, wear thin, loose, comfortable clothing, such as cotton or linen. Expect to lie flat on the floor, a beaded mat, or a futon, so your muscles relax as much as possible. Be prepared to tell the masseuse what you would like worked on. If you have headaches, try to remember if they occur in the morning, after eating spicy food, reading for a long time, or vigorous exercise. Make sure to inform the masseuse of any westernized medical treatment you are receiving, as well.

Most people enjoy shiatsu massage as much as they enjoy deep tissue massage, but expect some differences. Shiatsu will involve deep breathing, rotating and stretching your joints, as well as manipulating pressure points. When these points are pressed, people describe the sensation as feeling tender, tickling, intense, or slightly uncomfortable, unlike anything else. After the massage, you may feel strange, but not sore as in a muscular tissue massage. Many believe Shiatsu is both preventative and healing, so getting it done on a regular basis, along with stretching, exercise, and a healthy diet, may improve your health.

1. Where does shiatsu come from?

A. Shiatsu, meaning finger pressure, originated in Japan and is an amalgamation of a few different types of bodywork practiced there for centuries. The Japanese government licensed shiatsu as a distinct form of bodywork in 1955. The roots and theories behind shiatsu are literally thousands of years old, and are basically the same as the theories used for acupuncture. Shiatsu is sometimes called acupressure.

2. What does shiatsu treat?

A: Shiatsu can help almost any condition. Therapists have a particular amount of success in treating back pain, neck and shoulder pain and tension, stress, insomnia, asthma, depression, issues surrounding pregnancy, headaches, sciatica, and digestive problems. Shiatsu is also an excellent way to prevent illness or disease from occurring.

3. Is shiatsu painful?

A: There can be a slight amount of discomfort when areas that are tense or tuck are released. This is usually well within a client pain threshold, and the benefit is that these areas are no longer sore on a day to day basis after treatment. There are usually only a few of these areas on the body, and the experience of discomfort is a very small percentage of treatment time

4. How does Shiatsu treatment work?

A: As with diagnosis, Shiatsu treatment is holistic, with the practitioner working on the whole body rather than focusing on the area where symptoms are most obvious. Shiatsu works best if the client is as relaxed and comfortable as possible, so you should close your eyes, relax your muscles (the practitioner will do all the work if movement is required!) and refrain from speaking unless it’s really necessary. But let the practitioner know the moment you feel any discomfort - otherwise your body will start to tense up and the benefit of the session will be lost.

5. Can Shiatsu do any harm?

A: By the nature of Shiatsu, it is almost impossible for it to have harmful effects. The aim is to shift energy around the body in such a way as to relieve areas of tension and enliven weak areas. This is effectively collaboration between the practitioner and the client’s body, which will instinctively “want” to do the same thing, but may need a little help to get started. Occasionally a new patient may have “healing reactions” after the first few sessions. Such symptoms are transitory and soon pass, usually in 12 hours at most. Drinking plenty of spring water and resting will help, as well as asking the practitioner for advice and reassurance.

6. When is it not advisable to have a Shiatsu treatment?

A: It is not appropriate to have a Shiatsu treatment in any of the following situations:

You have a high fever
You are intoxicated or have taken non-prescribed drugs
You have just eaten
You have chronic high blood pressure
You have a history of brain haemorrhage
You have blood-borne cancer
You are in the first trimester of pregnancy
You have a skin or air “contact” contagious disease

7. Do I have to be ill to benefit from Shiatsu?
A: No! A growing number of people have Shiatsu when they are healthy as part of preventative therapy to maintain good health. This is very much like fine tuning a musical instrument to prevent disharmony. Shiatsu has become part of the lifestyle management of many busy individuals, who have Shiatsu on a regular basis to de-stress & revitalize.

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