Shiatsu Therapy
Shiatsu, a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure”, is a hands-on therapy that can be used in conjunction with conventional medicine or other therapies such as Matrix Repatterning™ or Trigenics™ as a preventative/alternative therapy.
What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu involves pressing with the thumbs, fingers and palms on Shiatsu points throughout the body to enhance the body’s natural healing ability and to prevent the progression of disease. Shiatsu points are called “Tsubo” in Japanese and their location and the effect of Shiatsu on them is based on an understanding of modern Anatomy and Physiology. These points are effective in treating all body systems including the Integumentary (skin surfaces), Muscular, Nervous, Circulatory, Skeletal, Endocrine and Digestive systems. They are applicable only to Shiatsu Therapy and are not related to ancient “Chinese Meridians” for Acupuncture, Moxibustion or Anma therapy.
The Japanese expression “Shindan Soku Chiryo” means “Diagnosis and Therapy Combined” and is the essence of Shiatsu. The thumbs, fingers and palms of a trained and experienced Shiatsupractor are sensitive enough to detect on contact, irregularities in the skin, muscles or body temperature. Relating to “the Cutaneovisceral Reflexes”, in the course of practical experience, Shiatsupractors are able to locate abnormalities and ascertain their degree, as well as determining the condition of the organs. When detecting abnormalities, Shiatsupractors apply Shiatsu as a treatment at the same time. The amount of pressure and its tempo are gauged to apply the appropriate pressure for each patient ? sometimes strong or soft ? quick or slow. Lacking the sensitivity of the hand, knuckles, elbows, knees and feet are not used for the application of pressure during treatments by Shiatsupractors. Mastering the essence of Shiatsu requires many years of practical experience and is the goal of a Shiatsupractor.
The History of Shiatsu
The founder, Tokujiro Namikoshi, Sensei (1905-2000), was a young boy of seven who used his bare hands to heal his mother who suffered from rheumatism. He used this experience as a base to create the Shiatsu method of healing. He gave treatment to countless thousands of people, including many active Japanese Prime Ministers, as well as foreign visitors such as Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali. He also established the Japan Shiatsu College and educated many world famous Shiatsu practitioners, instructors and authors, including Shizuto Masunaga, who wrote “Zen-Shiatsu”, Kensen Saito, who wrote “Shiatsu Doh”, Ryokyu Endo who wrote “Tao Shiatsu” and Kiyoshi Ikenaga, who is the author of “Tsubo Shiatsu”.
Namikoshi Sensei also founded the Japan Shiatsu Association and the International Shiatsu Association.
