About Shiatsu

Based in Oriental Medicine
Shiatsu is a form of physical therapy which originated in Japan but since the 1970's has developed internationally. It is now widely used throughout the world. It is an evolving form of bodywork, incorporating influences from both Oriental Medicine and Western therapies.

Re-energises weakness, relaxes tension
Shiatsu uses a combination of pressure on specific points, stretching and manipulation of joints to help re-energise weak areas, relax tension and help the body to work harmoniously.

Helps the body to balance itself
Many good doctors in the west follow this principle. For instance, they often encourage a child to go through an illness, as long as it isn't dangerous, instead of giving them antibiotics. Doing this strengthens the child's immune system.

Oriental medicine has developed profound techniques for assessing and strengthening a range of self-regulating systems in the body. At present, we don't know how it works, but recent academic research shows that symptoms reduced and the need for medication was reduced in patients that received regular Shiatsu.

The basic idea behind Shiatsu is to help the body to adjust itself by helping the body's own self-regulating systems to function properly. Many people come for Shiatsu with painful symptoms or to try to deal with recurring issues caused by stress and posture. It is also commonly used to help problems related to unresolved trauma. Shiatsu does not treat or aim to cure any specific condition, but it seems to help the body to get better more quickly and increases general wellbeing.

People find Shiatsu helps emotional and spiritual conditions
Many clients come for Shiatsu because they find it helpful in times of emotional turmoil and also for conditions which might be called spiritual malaise, loss of motivation and low energy without obvious cause. This may be because Shiatsu is an holistic therapy, focusing on supporting the whole organism to heal itself, and the emotions are part of the whole. It also may be because Shiatsu is a form of safe, respectful and deep contact which is very healing in itself.

Validated by Independent Research
Recent academic research has proved Shiatsu is safe and seems to reduce a wide range of symptoms, to improve quality of life and to reduce dependency on medication.

There are many forms of Shiatsu but the common thread is probably the viewpoint on healing which comes from Oriental Philosophy. See the Philosophy Page for more details.

Shiatsu Sessions

Shiatsu sessions usually last an hour and normally take place fully clothed. The therapist will talk with you for a few minutes to discover with what you would like to work in the session. Most forms of Shiatsu include an assessment procedure to discover which aspects of Ki are not working well and then most of the session will involve bodywork to activate and balance these self-regulatory functions.

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