The Philosophy
Shiatsu is a therapeutic bodywork modality that uses touch, assisted stretching and joint rotations to gently affect change. Shiatsu is a Japanese word that means finger pressure; it is the most widely practiced form of Asian bodywork in North America and Europe. Basic to Shiatsu is the theory from Traditional Asian Medicine, that we have a "life force" (called chi or ki) that regulates balance or homeostasis....we might call this our sense of well being. When chi is out of balance, disharmony and disease manifest. Chi flows through the body along meridians and each meridian is associated on the physical level with an organ system. However, meridians also support emotional and mental well being. The flow of chi becomes impeded by external causes like germs or injury, and by internal change, such as depression.
The Art
Shiatsu is different from Western massage. The client remains clothed, as no oils are used. The practitioner uses hands, elbows, and fingers to apply vertical pressure, joint rotations and assisted stretches to assess and then move imbalances of chi flow. Assisted stretches create flexibility and balance in the body, both physically and energetically. Shiatsu is safe for everyone, including children.
Shiatsu is very effective in treating stress, from insomnia, headaches, anxiety, minor depression, fatigue and worry. The gentle touch helps to calm the nervous system, stimulate immune functions, release held tension, and improve digestion. Shiatsu applies traditional Asian theories of the body/mind rather than just working with symptoms. The work leads to gradual reduction of emotional and physical disturbances, improved self awareness and sense of well being.
The Science
A literature search on PubMed on 04/27/2005 for acupressure and Shiatsu found 66 randomized clinical trials. Most of these trials were small but many show statistically significant outcomes. Beneficial effects for acupressure/shiatsu were found for a variety of conditions including: labor pain, morning sickness, menstrual pain, sleep quality, low back pain, depression, enuresis, gastrointestinal motility, asthma, motion sickness, cardiovascular function, post-operative issues of pain, vomiting and intestinal function.
http://nccam.nih.gov/news/newsletter/index.htm#1
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00017823
