What Is Shiatsu?
- Shiatsu means "finger pressure" in Japanese, usually translated as acupressure.
- It combines a modern understanding of anatomy, physiology, and psychology with traditional Chinese medical theory.
- A shiatsu session is customarily given on a mat on the floor.
- The client is fully clothed.
- Physical, mental, and emotional states are considered during a treatment.
What Is the Background of Shiatsu?
- Shiatsu is based on the same theoretical structure as acupuncture.
- The current mode of practice was developed in Japan in the 1920s.
- Practitioners in Japan are licensed by the federal government as both preventive and remedial therapists.
What are the Indications for Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is often used for general relaxation and to treat:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn's disease
- Menstrual cramps or irregularities
- Anxiety disorders
What are the Contraindications for Shiatsu?
Shiatsu should not be used to treat any acute condtion that has not been evaluated by a traditional medical doctor.