Shiatsu is a Japanese word that literally means finger pressure. In fact, it is the most widely practiced form of Asian therapeutic bodywork in North America and Europe.

Shiatsu, while Japanese, stems from the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM is both a philosophy and a medical science teaching a different way of looking at life than western ideas of medicine and illness. Basic to TCM theory is the idea of chi. Chi means energy, or life force. All life is enlivened by energy (chi, Chinese or ki Japanese). TCM teaches that when chi is out of balance, or blocked, disease and disharmony follow. Shiatsu is a healing art combining eastern theories with an understanding of anatomy and physiology and the nurturing power of focused touch. Shiatsu effectively addresses our modern lifestyle and stressors.

How is Shiatsu different from western massage? All touch therapy provides neuro-muscular retraining. Shiatsu not only addresses muscular and structural tensions, but offers something more. This therapy works with the underlying causes of pain and tensions.

Shiatsu is more aligned to the theories of Acupuncture than western massage. But unlike Acupuncture, where needles are used to effect change, Shiatsu offers the healing power of touch. Shiatsu goes deep, and yet it is a gentle process that teaches the body/mind to release and let go, rather than forcing change. Shiatsu opens and balances the flow of energy (ki) through the channels, or meridians, that flow throughout the body. When the meridians are balanced, the tissues, nerves, muscles and bones, emotions and mental attitudes begin to function more optimally

Shiatsu sessions lead to a gradual reduction of emotional and physical disharmony, improved self-awareness and sense of well being.

On a physical level, Shiatsu helps to calm the nervous system, stimulate immune functions, release held tension, and improve digestion. Assisted stretches aid in flexibility, a known contributor to healthy lifestyle. The work leads to gradual reduction of emotional and physical disturbances, improved self-awareness and sense of well being.

Shiatsu is very effective in treating symptoms of stress, including insomnia, headaches, anxiety, minor depression, fatigue and worry. The gentle touch helps to calm the nervous system, stimulate immune functions, release held tension, and improve digestion.

PubMed includes at least 66 clinical trials using Acupressure and Shiatsu, with statistically significant outcomes. Beneficial effects for Acupressure/Shiatsu were found for a variety of conditions including: labor pain, morning sickness, menstrual pain, sleep quality, low back pain, depression, enuresis, gastrointestinal motility, asthma, motion sickness, cardiovascular function, post-operative issues of pain, vomiting and intestinal function.


http://nccam.nih.gov/news/newsletter/index.htm#1
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00017823

Yin
literally means
the shady side of the
mountain, and
Yang
means its opposite,
the sunny side.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a body of knowledge first compiled 2,500 years ago. The theories of Chi, Yin and Yang still offer us today practical preventative and restorative measures for achieving optimal health.

Chi permeates all living things; it regulates the body/mind’s internal balance, or homeostasis. Chi flows along channels, or meridians that are within the body. Each channel is associated with the proper function of the organs, lymph, bone, muscle and ligaments. Chi also supports emotional and mental well being, as these systems are intertwined.

Meridian Functions
• Control movement
• Communicate with each other
• Regulate organ functions

Imbalances in chi can be attributed to external or internal causes. On the external level, germs or injury can cause chi imbalance; internally, emotional excesses, such as anger, fear, worry, grief, or joy lead to disharmony.

Another traditional idea is that change is the only constant. Change is the only thing we can really count on with certainty.

Because of chi or “life force” we exist, and within us flow the two enlivening forms of chi, yin and yang. Constantly changing, yin and yang optimally flow within us in a balanced state (homeostasis). Basic examples of this idea would be to say we are active during the day, (yang), and we are quiet and sleep at night, (yin). When we are young, we are more yang, and with aging, we become more yin.

YIN
inward, reflective, feminine, dark, cool, passive, sweet
YANG
outward, active, masculine, light, warm, dynamic, salty

Shiatsu is a therapeutic bodywork that assesses imbalances or stuck areas in the flow of yin and yang. Then applying specific meridian theory and nurturing touch, the gentle flow is encouraged to resume.

Meridians are named for organs and are paired,
Yin and Yang. Pairs have functions:
Lung/Large intestine: inhalation and excretion
Spleen/Stomach: transformation and storage
Kidney/Bladder: purifying
Heart/Small Intestine: quality of the blood
Liver/Galbladder: distributing

CREATION
Wood feeds Fire
Fire establishes Earth
Earth shapes Metal
Metal emits Water
Water nurtures Wood


CONTAINMENT
Wood holds Earth
Fire melts Metal
Earth contains Water
Metal cuts Wood
Water dampens Fire

Magnets