A shiatsu therapist is a practitioner who uses traditional Japanese shiatsu massage to treat various imbalances in the body. The fingers, thumbs, and palms of the hands are used to locate pressure points on the client’s body in shiatsu massage therapy. Shiatsu, which is Japanese for “finger pressure,” is used to bring the body into balance and maintain overall health rather than focusing on specific pain. A shiatsu therapist will detect temperature changes in the client’s skin and muscles with his fingers and palms, then apply energy to these pathways through pressure.
Shiatsu is based on Tokujiro Namikoshi’s theory that abnormalities in energy flow are linked to the body’s muscular, digestive, respiratory, skeletal, and circulatory systems, as well as the state of the organs. The shiatsu therapist will use his thumbs, fingers, and palms to apply solid, localized pressure to the client in order to locate the client’s energy pathways. A massage usually involves the client being fully clothed and lying on the floor.
The shiatsu therapist will move around the client, stretching and compressing different parts of the body. Although there are many different styles of shiatsu, Zen shiatsu is one of the most popular. The therapist will first spend time assessing the client’s energy discussing his health and performing a physical examination of his vital signs and overall appearance. Prior to the massage, shiatsu therapists will request a complete medical history.
During treatment, shiatsu therapists collaborate with the client to apply the appropriate amount of pressure. While the therapist will always apply localized pressure, the therapist will determine how much pressure to apply based on the client’s medical history, areas of pain, or other factors. Shiatsu therapy can be used on people of all ages as long as they don’t have any other health issues that would prevent them from receiving muscle massage.
Shiatsu, which is frequently used to complement Western medicine, also incorporates the energy-focused benefits of Japanese massage. Shiatsu therapists study for years, and the practice is strictly regulated in Japan, with practitioners required to be licensed the Ministry of Health. While the Shiatsu therapist’s main goal is to stimulate the client’s well-being and body balance, the end result of shiatsu massage, like other massage therapies, is that the client will feel relieved stress and endorphins will be released throughout the body.