Shiatsu massage is a method of well-being and relaxation of Japanese origin. It consists of applying pressure to specific areas of the body, in this case the acupuncture points. After a few sessions, shiatsu provides real physical and mental comfort…
the shiatsu-massage is a preventive care technique that aims to stimulate the natural defenses by better flow of energy in the organism. Shiatsu means “finger pressure” in Japanese, but this discipline comes from traditional Chinese medicine.
According to this, the body is traversed by a network of channels called the meridians. There are in fact twelve lines, which cross the body: each of them is connected to a specific organ (lung, stomach, heart, etc.).
The role of the meridians is to circulate vital energy throughout the body in order to regain absolute well-being.
In Eastern culture, man is an energetic being, carrying a vital force that guarantees his well-being. This means that if the flow of energy is regular, the person will be in healthy. On the other hand, if the energy stagnates, illness may set in.
This flow of energy comes from the concept of Yin and Yang. Thus, there are empty areas of energy, Yin (kyo state), and areas of excess energy, Yang (Jitsu state). Shiatsu acts on these areas by toning the Kyo areas and relaxing the Jitsu areas. Thus, it restores a harmonious energetic circulation.
The 2 principles of shiatsu
The shiatsu massage works the body energy, but also the mind. It restores self-confidence. It improves the flexibility of muscle tissue, corrects skeletal defects, restores balance to the nervous system and endocrine glands, and stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic.
Shiatsu massage is therefore above all a practice of relaxation linked to the well-being of the patient. Its principle of action is essentially physiological. Gradual pressure is applied to the surface of the skin to allow the muscle underneath to relax.
The second principle is more spiritual. The Chinese and Japanese believe that when someone is radiant with life, it is because qi (or chi) flows unhindered through their body. The shiatsu massage therefore aims to strengthen this energy to keep the patient healthy and able to resist external aggressions.
The benefits of Shiatsu massage
The French mainly practice shiatsu massage to relieve stress and back pain, two major modern diseases. But the benefits of shiatsu do not stop there since it has the reputation of:
- Stimulate and strengthen the immune system,
- Rebalancing the energy system,
- Reduce stress and tension,
- Allow physical and mental relaxation, and therefore improve the state of well-being,
- Relieve lower back pain.
A shiatsu massage session
At the beginning of each session, the practitioner performs an energy balance to find out where the poor energetic circulation comes from. This assessment is done in several phases: observation, tactile contact by hand or listening to the patient to know if his voice corresponds to his morphology.
Then, the practitioner performs finger pressure, the palms of his hands, his elbow, his knee or even his foot. These pressures are made on specific areas of the meridians: the tsubos. They correspond to acupuncture points where the flow of energy can be influenced.
Shiatsu is generally practiced on a ground sheet, but it can also be on a chair. In this case, the practitioner works more particularly the head, the neck, the shoulders, the back, the arms, the hands, and the hips.
A shiatsu massage session usually lasts an hour. The patient keeps his clothes on and lies down on a futon on the floor. It is recommended to wear flexible fabrics that facilitate the work of the practitioner.
Sometimes, he can add specific movements to the pressures such as stretching or energy releases at the level of the joints. Indeed, these are key passage points of energy.
