What is Shiatsu Massage?
Shiatsu massage is a traditional Japanese massage therapy. During an Shiatsu massage, the therapist manipulates and kneads your body in multiple areas, depending on the condition or the condition. The goal is to ease tension and rejuvenate the body. It is important to know the basics of the origins of Shiatsu massage before getting started. This knowledge will enable you to appreciate this therapeutic treatment and determine if it is right for your needs. To fully comprehend the meaning of shiatsu massage it is important to first know about its history. According to the Japanese Red Cross, Shiatsu is actually an abbreviation of "compression treatment" and was developed by the Japanese in the eleventh century. In a shiatsu massage the practitioner applies thumb and finger techniques to various points while rock hard massaging your body. The goal is relaxation and stimulation of energy, creating the feeling of relaxation and vitality. The term "shiatsu treatment" was first coined in the nineteenth century , when the Japanese Red Cross began teaching the method to patients who were suffering from various ailments that were often caused by stress. This treatment was later renamed the "Morihei Ueshiba Foundation." The foundation is still in existence today and has its headquarters in the Aomori Prefectural Temple. Nowadays, the most popular treatment for shiatsu is called "tsumei" or "down-skin technique." It is performed by a certified makiwara or methapist whose task is to diagnose and treat patients with various illnesses. Shiatsu treatments are performed by trained and licensed japanese shiatsu practitioners who are also trained in acupressure and other forms of traditional medical practice. Therapists are able to conduct the treatments on their own after they have received special training by the health ministry in Japan. If you are looking to become one of these trained and licensed therapists, you need to undergo training from a certified makiwara. You can take a specialized training course at a reputable japan shiatsu school to become a Japanese shiatsu therapy. A highly-regarded practitioner can teach you the healing art of Shiatsu from a person who has completed a shiatsu therapy course. There are also private shiatsu therapists who provide private sessions. Shiatsu therapy is based on the theory that there are energy pathways referred to as meridians that run through the body. Each meridian has a corresponding gatekeeper that restricts the flow of Qi. In this view the dysfunction of one meridian may cause the whole body to be affected. Shiatsu practitioners believe that by working on these energy pathways, qi can be regulated and therefore will lead to a healthier physical condition. Shiatsu therapists believe that issues caused by qi manifest physically because the meridians will be blocked. In this way the anma can help rectify the anma and thus cure the illness. Shiatsu massage is different than traditional Chinese medicine in that it diagnoses the condition by locating the dysfunction within the meridian. Traditional Chinese medicine treats illnesses by examining symptoms and signs, and not by treating the root of the problem. Shiatsu treatment focuses on the cause rather than just treating the symptoms. The aim of this type of treatment is to achieve a sense of balance among the five elements (earth water, water, fire, wood and metal) by the correct application of the correct energy forces. Sometimes, shiatsu therapy may be combined with acupressure and herbal medicine. Acupressure is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that is used to relieve stress and muscle pain and promote healing in the body. Because they aren't familiar with the movements used in Chinese medicine certain people practice Chinese Acupressure without consulting an Shiatsu therapist. Shiatsu is also used to treat pain and aches that are associated with PMS. Through the teachings of Japanese practitioners like Suzuki Kensaku, Shiatsu was also introduced in western cultures. They developed a unique form of massage therapy which they taught at the Tokyo Imperial University of Medicine. Today, many Japanese practitioners still practice this traditional form of therapy.