What is shiatsu?
Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese medicine that involves stimulating acupuncture points, not with needles, but with fingers. “Our body is traversed by twelve essential lines or meridians, along which circulates our vital energy. When a person is healthy, this energy flows harmoniously. But as soon as a disturbance occurs, health suffers. And this results in pain such as back pain, constipation, etc. ”, explains Dr Denis Lamboley, a specialist in oriental medicine.
To overcome it, we activate specific points called “tsubos”, meeting places of blood vessels, lymphatics and glands of the endocrine system. These points are located along the meridians, and each corresponds to an organ. “The digital stimulation of these points brings or withdraws energy from the organ to which it is connected and restores the lost harmony”, specifies the specialist. By restoring the good circulation of energy, shiatsu releases tension, corrects internal disorders, relieves pain.
The shiatsu technique
It consists of gentle and repeated or more sustained, aspirating, spreading or concentrated pressures. The modulations of this pressure can range from extreme lightness to great force and vary according to the regions of the body and the condition of the subject.
The technique, quite violent in Japan, is performed more gently in the West. It helps release tensions, contractures and provides a feeling of relaxation and energy.
Shiatsu at home
Opt for loose clothing that will not interfere with your movements and isolate yourself in a quiet room. Each point should be stimulated between thirty seconds and one minute. Did you not feel any improvement? Repeat half an hour later. Finally, if your pain is chronic, you can prevent it by practicing two sessions per day.
To increase the effectiveness of the actions, do them in the morning when you wake up, with the window open. Thus, you will enjoy the light and the revitalizing fresh air.
Anti fatigue shiatsu
First place your hand on your stomach, below the navel. Press firmly for ten seconds, remove it immediately.
Then place your index finger and thumb between your two breasts, press for a few seconds and make a few circular motions. Stimulation that improves breathing and increases stamina. By stimulating these points, you will give vitality and strength to the whole organism.
To soothe headaches
Place your index finger on your forehead between your two eyebrows and apply strong pressure. Then make a series of 10 circles, clockwise.
Then place your finger at the top of the head, in the middle of the imaginary line that connects the two ears, and press.
Bring your head together with both hands: index and middle fingers touch each other, and your thumbs are placed at the base of the skull, on either side of the neck. Press firmly before making small circles.
To alleviate back pain
Start by placing your index finger over your upper lip and squeeze firmly for a few seconds.
Then press the point on the back of your right hand, right next to your pinky finger. Stimulation of these two points relaxes the back muscles and relieves pain. Repeat until they disappear.
Three anti-stress gesture
A relaxing evening in perspective? Massage the point 3 cm above the navel. Gently, then press more and more. Ideal for falling asleep.
Tensions at home? Place your index finger at the base of the skull and make a series of ten small circles. Recommended to release tension.
Busy day in sight? Perform a tonic massage of the point at the base of the bone of the first two toes. This gesture strengthens resistance.
Stop stomach aches with shiatsu
Calm painful periods
To start, massage the area of the uterus: place your index fingers under your navel and make small circles, pressing firmly.
Then slide your hand behind your back: place your thumb, index and middle fingers at the level of your lower back and press. Perform these actions as soon as the pain appears: the earlier they are done, the more effective they are! Note: a tonic massage of the point above the big toe relieves menstrual cramps.
Avoid nausea
Three specific points have a calming effect on the abdomen.
Make a strong pressure from the two points located one above the knee, the other just below, on the outer side of the leg, because the “stomach” meridian passes through the lower limb. This stimulation relieves.
A pressure made with the thumb of one hand on the point located in the middle of the other wrist is an excellent natural antinausea. And finally, place your index finger at the base of your third toe and squeeze. enough to overcome digestive problems.
Fight against constipation
Relaunch a lazy transit by stimulating a point of shiatsu, it is possible. Put your hand on your sale and make wide circles, always clockwise. Then, place your index fingers on either side of your navel, and press gently. Hold this pressure for 10 seconds and breathe calmly. Repeat several times.
Finally, small, rapid and pressed circles, performed on the point located above the kneecap, on the outer face of the jame; restore normal transit in a few days.
Find a therapist : French Federation of Traditional Shiatsu. Phone. : 01 48 05 56 29. www.ffst.fr
To read : Practical Shiatsu, Dr. Denis Lamboley, ed. Practical Marabout
