Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

Shiatsu Massage
By Kelly burke

Shiatsu is a contemporary type of massage therapy with roots in oriental medicine. This treatment uses points that lie on invisible meridians which are pathways of energy between the surface of the body, and the organs; muscles and all other parts of the body. This energy within these 12 meridians is referred to as Qi. Qi is present in all living things. Illness can occur when the energy flow along one or more meridians is blocked or out of balance.
Shiatsu, directly translates into Shi (finger) and atsu (pressure), and has a goal of helping the body’s ability to heal itself and promote overall health. The pressing on the vital points opens the pathways for the body’s flow of Qi.
Touch is the essence of Shiatsu. Touch of any kind can be of different quality. It can range from aggressive and abusive to nurturing and intuitive. Shiatsu uses a caring touch to help us with self-healing. It also uses gentle stretching and manipulation techniques.
In contrast to Swedish massage, Shiatsu uses rhythmic and gradual pressure to the meridians. Sometimes light holding techniques will be used. Swedish therapy, on the other hand, uses long flowing hand movements to pull and knead the muscles. Both are excellent therapeutic methods, but Shiatsu’s focus on restoring the energy flow to the patient creates a more spiritual experience for both the patient and practitioner, therefore being a rewarding experience for both.
Though there is only one type of Shiatsu, there are several variations of it. Shiatsu’s beginnings can be traced back to ancient Japan, around 2000BC. It was established as Shiatsu by Tokujiro Namikoshi in 1912. He was only 7 years old at the time. He realized that by using his thumbs to press on his mothers ailing body he was able to relieve her stiffness and pain. He was able to cure his mother of rheumatism through his gentle touch.
Shiatsu has become a respectful alternative therapy in Western countries and is offered in many hospital settings. It is a safe and effective treatment. It can help to alleviate depression, anxiety, headaches, arthritis, cramped muscles, swollen joints, sleeplessness, and many other things. The pressure points lying on the meridians are palpated using fingers, knuckles, thumbs, palms, toes, or elbows. Light massage is done with these appendages to feel which points are soft and tender.
In Shiatsu physical touch is used to assess the distribution of Qi throughout the body and correct any imbalances. By stimulating the person’s immune system Shiatsu can treat the body as a whole and help to restore physical functions of the nervous and circulatory systems, musculoskeletal structures, and internal organs.
Whether your Qi has been disturbed through eternal trauma, such as injury, or internal trauma such as depression or stress, Shiatsu can help. This is when symptoms like aches and pains start to occur and we start to experience a state of disease. If the body is not performing efficiently, the system can turn inwards upon itself and deplete the body’s reserves of basic energy. From all viewpoints, this is unhealthy. For the patient, it would leave him less able to cope with future illnesses, or future situations which require energy if he is to survive. In time such depletion can lead him to the inability to cope with even the normal demands of life.

Kelly Burke is a student at the Acupuncture and Massage College. AMC is the oldest school of Massage Therapy that specializes in shiatsu. For mare information contact Joe Calareso the Admissions Director at 305-595-9500.

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

Shiatsu the Japanese art of massage.
By Showanna Butler

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage therapy. It has been practiced in Japan for over 2000 years. Shiatsu was officially recognized as medical therapy in the mid 1950’s, but has been systemized during the 20th century.

Shiatsu means “finger pressure” in Japanese, “shi” meaning finger and “atsu” meaning pressure; which is also described as direct pressure. This massage usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour and is done on a mat on the floor fully clothed comfortably.

Before shiatsu massage takes place, the therapist takes a medical history exam, which involves knowing the client’s lifestyle, past illnesses, diet, and exercises habits. She/He also observes the client’s physical and emotional characteristics. After the medical history examination, the therapist touches certain areas to locate the client’s tension points to decide how he/she will lessen and restore energy flow.

In this particular method of massage therapy, the therapist uses fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows, knees, and feet to apply pressure to the body’s main energy pathways. In the Zen Shiatsu, they use their whole bodies to apply pressure.

Being maintenance of health, Shiatsu prevents diseases and illnesses. Also promotes health and healing by correcting imbalanced energy and releasing it through the body. This typical massage lowers the levels on adrenaline and other stress hormones. It is known that if a therapist is working on areas caused by emotional upset, the client may feel like crying, this is not unusual. The therapist will act compassionate and supportive.

Shiatsu massage also relieves pain from arthritis, back, neck, and shoulders. Other benefits are improvement in headaches, which usually takes about 4 to 8 treatments, depending on the intensity level. Others are insomnia, constipation, and nausea. Overall, Shiatsu treats over 250 acupoints in the body.

In conclusion, Shiatsu massage therapy is more than just a massage, it’s a way through life: stress and pain free!

Showanna Butler is a student at the Acupuncture and Massage College (AMC). AMC is one of the oldest Massage Schools in Florida to offer Shiatsu as its mainstay for its Massage Therapy program. For further information contact the Joe Calareso the Admission Director at 305-595-9500

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

What is Shiatsu?
By Andre Couture
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage combining ancient massage (Anma), acupressure, stretching, as well as Western massage and sciences. Shiatsu was originally formed when the Chinese medial theory of acupuncture was introduced to Japan in the mid-1800s. Although it has a surprising amount of knowledge in anatomy and physiology as well as many western sciences it differs in its treatment methodology. Shiatsu follows the Chinese meridian system, which are basically the energy pathways in the body. This is done in order to restore balance to the persons whole being.
The word Shiatsu means finger pressure and uses mostly fingers, palms, and thumbs although there are various forms, which incorporate other techniques. Massage and pressure are applied to various energy pathway points of the body as well as the musculoskeletal system in order to achieve physical and mental well-being. Shiatsu has been described as needle-free form acupuncture. The essence of Shiatsu is diagnosis and therapy combined since a therapist can detect irregularities, such as stiffness on the surface of the body, and to properly correct or heal these problems. Since Shiatsu is derived from Chinese medical theory it can therefore be described as holistic since it treats the whole person instead of only specific complaints.
Shiatsu has a very strong reputation for reducing musculoskeletal pain as well as reducing stress and all of its many symptoms. Most people simply aren’t aware of the symptoms of stress as they include any and all kinds of pain, headaches, fatigue, sleep disorders, mood swings, sinus and allergies, digestive disorders, as well as reproductive issues. Shiatsu has been proven to eliminate these symptoms over time as well as the reversal or regression of many current problems. It has long been believed that shiatsu is believed to enhance physical vitality and emotional well-being.
As we age we begin to experience muscular and skeletal pain. They are caused by several factors such as physical inactivity, overuse of muscles, poor posture, and age. These factors lead to what is known as Arthrosis, which is the hardening of soft tissue, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the body. Shiatsu is an ideal form of massage for these kinds of problems, as they tend to not only work on the musculoskeletal problem at hand but also on the person as a whole. Although these are only a few of the many issues that shiatsu can address, the therapeutic effects can go on and on. Look again at those symptoms of stress and ask yourself how many of them you see in yourself, your friends, and your family. Like any form of therapy one session is simply not enough to address problems that took years to develop in the first place. See for yourself what Shiatsu can do for you by visiting a therapist yourself, sitting down and talking with them about what is troubling you, and feeling the benefits that so many others have already felt.

Andre Couture is a massage student at the Acupuncture and Massage College (AMC). AMC offers a 71/2 month Diploma program in Massage Therapy which has a specialty in Shiatsu from the Hoshino Schools of Shiatsu. For more information contact the Admission Director Joe Calareso at 305-595-9500

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”