Shiatsu As A Type of Massage Therapy
Shiatsu is just one of the many types of massage therapy. In
English, the word shiatsu means “finger therapy” and is considered to be a
Japanese form of bodywork.
Similar to acupuncture, this type of
massage therapy is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese
medicine because those who practice it believe that a person does not feel
well due to imbalances in the life force.
To fix it, the massage
therapist uses finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways known as
meridians to improve the life force.
Scientists have a better
explanation for this by saying that shiatsu calms the overactive
sympathetic nervous system. By doing so, it helps improve blood
circulation, relieves stiff muscles and alleviates stress.
For
shiatsu to be effective, the massage therapist has to apply pressure in a
continuous rhythmic sequence. Unlike other types of massage therapy, the
pressure feels more localized so certain points feel tender. If at any
time you feel pain, you can tell the therapist to adjust the pressure so
it is comfortable to you.
Treatment fro shiatsu is done on a low
massage table or on the floor. Two others things that differentiates this
type of massage therapy from the rest is that it does not use any massage
oil and this is done while you are fully clothed.
Shiatsu is very
good for people who suffer from anxiety, arthritis, back pain,
constipation, depression, headaches, insomnia, neck and shoulder pain,
poor digestion, stress, tiredness and premenstrual syndrome. It is so good
that you can even get one just for relaxation.
But not everybody
can enjoy acupuncture. It is not safe for people who have open wounds,
have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy, immediately after
surgery, and are prone to blood clots, pregnant as well as immediately
after surgery.
If you don't have any of these problems, they by all
means, you can enjoy shiatsu. When you schedule an appointment, make sure
you don't eat a heavy meal before going there. Also, if it is your first
time, try to be there at least 10 minutes before your scheduled
appointment since you will have to fill up some forms first. But if you
are a regular, just be there 5 minutes before.
For shiatsu to be
effective, the practitioner must be relaxed so he or she will be able to
give comfort to the person lying down on the mattress. Proper positioning
is also required and both hands must be used at all times even if one hand
is still and the other is active.
Though this form of massage
therapy is all about applying a little pressure, the key here is
perpendicular penetration without any side to side motion so the
professional is able to treat an entire meridian and not jot just an
individual point. So the person leaves feeling relaxed and ready to go
home.
Shiatsu as a type of massage therapy has been around for
years and there are various styles to choose from. Some focus merely on
the acupressure points, others more on the general work of the human body
and the meridians while some highlight the diagnostic systems such as the
Five Element System. Whichever is used, you can't deny the fact these are
all based from traditional Chinese medicine.
Get expert advice about massage therapy at http://www.articlefog.com/category-massage-therapy.htm.
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Article Source: www.ArticleFog.com.
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