Shiatsu Therapy

Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure”. The theoretical foundations of Shiatsu are rooted in Chinese medicine. Shiatsu is a holistic therapy, based on the same principles as acupuncture, but using the hands instead of needles.

These theories revolve around the Chinese medical concept of Qi, pronounced Ki in Japanese. Ki is the life force that makes things happen in our body – “stuff” that is perceptible yet intangible. Shiatsu aims to improve overall health and wellbeing on a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual level.

Each person is seen as an individual who experiences ill health and imbalances in their own unique way, and the treatment is focused on finding the root of the problem for them, rather than prescribing for symptoms alone.

Shiatsu involves a very positive approach to illness. Emphasis is placed on the need to strengthen the body’s own capacity to fight illness and improve overall wellbeing.

Good health is a result of having sufficient Ki moving around smoothly and unhindered. If there is too little Ki circulating in our body, we feel tired, lethargic and cold, and we get sick easily. If the flow of Ki is obstructed in certain parts of the body, we can experience stiffness, cramps, pain and swellings. Shiatsu aims to rebalance the flow of Ki – drawing more of it into the needy parts of the body, or dispersing stagnation so that Ki can flow freely. Shiatsu is applied to spots of the body – acupoints – where Ki can be accessed more effectively. These spots are located on energy channels that criss-cross the human body.

You do not have to be ill to receive Shiatsu as it is very effective in helping to maintain health and wellbeing.