Shiatsu Massage – Does It Really Work?
It means “finger pressure” in Japanese, and that’s exactly what shiatsu is: a type of Japanese bodywork, or massage, that uses finger pressure to relieve pain throughout the body. Some say it is helpful and others say it is silly, but the fact is, any type of massage can be relaxing, calming, and enjoyable. So what have you got to lose?
Shiatsu benefits
The origins of shiatsu date back at least 5,000 years. Originally, it was a traditional Chinese healing form called Anma, which came to Japan and started to become something more unique. In the 20th century, the word shiatsu was coined, and in the mid-1950s, the Japanese government officially recognized it as a legitimate type of therapy.
Like acupuncture, this type of bodywork or massage is performed by focusing on the body’s Chinese meridian system, or specific pressure points. When pressure is applied along these very specific meridians, it is believed that the body can realign its natural qi or energy flows. Massage in Marina
Shiatsu practitioners use these pressure techniques combined with assisted stretches to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote blood flow throughout the body. It is believed that by doing this, the body will eventually release the accumulated toxins and the muscles will remove the accumulated tension.
Proponents of this ancient technique believe that this release can help the body heal itself overall by strengthening its hormonal and immune systems, which in turn have a positive effect on the nervous system. Therefore, it is believed that shiatsu not only has immediate results when we feel instantly better but also long-term results that can help us overcome a variety of ailments. Benefits can include:
Reduced blood pressure
Decreased muscle stiffness.
Increased blood circulation
Greater vitality and energy.
Better resistance
The increased flow of lymphatic fluid.
Better circulation
How does Shiatsu work?
Finding a qualified practitioner, of whom there are many, is all it takes to try shiatsu. Once you’ve found someone you love, he or she will ask you questions about your general health, perform an exam that usually involves looking at your tongue and listening to your voice, and then apply various techniques to improve your condition. your body.
Each treatment usually lasts about an hour and will involve the doctor applying pressure to different parts of your body using your hands, thumbs, fingers, palms, knees, feet, elbows, etc. There are several different shiatsu schools and the treatment you receive will be tailored to the school, including:
Namikoshi Shiatsu. Use rubbing and squeezing techniques to aid healing. Developed by one Tokujiro Namikoshi, who is said to have cured his mother’s rheumatism and became a well-known and talented healer at the age of 10. It uses pressure to remove toxins from cells, targeting both deep and superficial tissues. Repeated pressure is believed to generate electrical charges that help increase energy levels and remove adhesions that have held the body.
Zen Shiatsu
The most popular type of shiatsu, which focuses on the entire body and sometimes requires an abdominal massage. Developed by Shizuto Masunaga, a psychologist and shiatsu practitioner who died in 1981. Lifestyle and diet advice can be given. The doctor will listen to how the body reacts to certain pressures, which will determine the steps to take next. The recipient is usually lying on a futon or mat on the floor and no massage oil is used.
Tsubo therapy. It is not as popular in the United States as it is in Japan, it was developed by Katsusuke Serizawa and focuses on tsubo or acupressure points. The skin is believed to have an electrical resistance that changes at specific tsubo points, so a tsubo therapist will use a variety of techniques to test this, including needles and electrical devices, as well as a simple old-fashioned massage. Shiatsu acupressure is considered a derivative of Serizawa techniques.
Keep in mind that shiatsu is not for everyone. People who have certain skin rashes, have recently undergone surgery, or are prone to blood clots should avoid it. Pregnant women, people with osteoporosis, and those who have just had chemotherapy or radiation therapy should consult their doctor first. And use your common sense: avoid having it if you have large bruises, just had a hernia or an open fracture, etc.
Does it really work?
Shiatsu proponents claim that it can “treat” everything from constipation to sleeplessness to back pain, as well as depression, sports injuries, poor digestion, and other ailments. anxiety, stress and fatigue, and others. muscle pains. Others say that it works primarily as a relaxation technique, and while it can certainly provide temporary relief from pain, especially that associated with muscle stiffness due to its Although massage has a therapeutic component, it cannot genuinely assist the body in healing itself. Massage Center in Marina
“Regular massage and the legitimate practice of massage therapy can help people feel better. However, many professionals wrongly claim that they do much more, and the agencies that oversee the education and licensing systems show no evidence of this. ” Worry, “writes Dr. Stephen. Barrett on the Quack watch website, which is advertised as” His Guide to Quack, Health Fraud, and Smart Choices. ”
“Over the years, I have been surprised by the outlandish claims of many corps workers. It is wonderful to get a good massage. It increases circulation, temporarily relieves pain, provides a sense of well-being, and promotes relaxation, but I don’t know of anything (other than sadness) that has healed.
“People have to realize just because it’s such a wonderful pleasure that it doesn’t make for good medicine.”
If you want to try shiatsu yourself, make sure you have a qualified practitioner in a clean and safe environment. But remember that this type of complementary therapy should not replace conventional medicine, and if a shiatsu practitioner tries to diagnose a specific health problem or prescribe medication, he is breaking the law. Other than that, lay back and enjoy!
