Japanese massage : The lowdown on shiatsu
Not to be confused with the fluffy pooch, this ancient Japanese massage therapy has a long history of healing and nurturing the body and mind.While shiatsu incorporates principles of ancient Chinese medicine, dating back as far as 2000BC, legend has it that modern shiatsu massage began when founder Tokujiro Namikoshi used this bare hands to cure his ailing mother at the tender age of seven. But shiatsu really hit the big time when Namikoshi treated Hollywood sweetheart Marilyn Munroe on her honeymoon. Namikoshi would say "The soul of shiatsu is just like that of a mother's soul." And it's this same wise touch that carries through to today's therapy.
SO WHAT IS IT?
Shiatsu literally means 'finger pressure', but it's not all needling fingers. The therapist can also incorporate palm, elbow or foot pressure, depending on the treatment you need. Similar to that of other traditional Chinese medicine, shiatsu stems from the idea that energy 'ki' flows through meridian channels of the body. Shiatsu therapist Linda McCall of healthyequilibrium.com.au likens meridians to rivers within our body.
Shiatsu literally means 'finger pressure', but it's not all needling fingers. The therapist can also incorporate palm, elbow or foot pressure, depending on the treatment you need. Similar to that of other traditional Chinese medicine, shiatsu stems from the idea that energy 'ki' flows through meridian channels of the body. Shiatsu therapist Linda McCall of healthyequilibrium.com.au likens meridians to rivers within our body.
"If a river in the body is blocked by toxins or stress it creates pain so the therapist's job is to break down the dam walls and create an energy flow that moves blood around the body and feeds the cells organs. A good therapist will tune into the body to find the areas out of balance and encourage the ki to flow into areas that are depleted. By encouraging the ki to shift through different stretches and the mobilisation of joints, this shifts any blockages they may have occurred in the body," says McCall.
IT'S ELEMENTARY
You might be surprised to know that, unlike traditional massage therapies, shiatsu actually works away from areas of tension. "If someone has a sore neck, I often work their ankles first as this usually helps to relieve tension in the neck. By the time I begin to work on the neck, the tension is usually already reduced," says therapist Juliet Murphy of julietmurphyshiatsu.com.
You might be surprised to know that, unlike traditional massage therapies, shiatsu actually works away from areas of tension. "If someone has a sore neck, I often work their ankles first as this usually helps to relieve tension in the neck. By the time I begin to work on the neck, the tension is usually already reduced," says therapist Juliet Murphy of julietmurphyshiatsu.com.
This theory based upon the traditional five element theory shiatsu therapist's use. They believe each element of the universe - fire, water, earth, metal and wood represents an organ within the body, for example heart is a part of the fire element and kidneys are part of water. By following this map, they can identify which area needs working and which way the flow of the massage will go.
But it's not all lying back and relaxing though. Shiatsu aims to push tender acupoints not give you a relaxing rub. So expect that you might feel sore during treatment and even leave with a headache or pain. But don't panic, this is actually a good sign. According to shiatsu therapist Ross Doherty, it's much like the ache you get after a massive workout. While it may cause soreness temporarily, a few days later you will be left with a really relaxed and energised body. It's also a very holistic treatment, so expect the therapist to diagnose your current physical condition and provide you with dietary and lifestyle advice to assist your overall healing and health.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Shiatsu is a fairy godmother for pain and stress conditions. According to Murphy, most of her clients are young professionals who suffer from stress related symptoms and are trying to regain some balance in their lives. "Many have chronic conditions such as headaches, shoulder tension, lower back pain, digestive or menstrual issues." Then after a treatment, they often experience relief and for some this lasts weeks. The best side effect though? It works wonders for sleep. If you tend to toss and turn, have a shiatsu treatment and you will leave in a dreamy, spaced-out state, embracing sleep with open arms! And who doesn't love waking up fresh and revitalised!
Shiatsu is a fairy godmother for pain and stress conditions. According to Murphy, most of her clients are young professionals who suffer from stress related symptoms and are trying to regain some balance in their lives. "Many have chronic conditions such as headaches, shoulder tension, lower back pain, digestive or menstrual issues." Then after a treatment, they often experience relief and for some this lasts weeks. The best side effect though? It works wonders for sleep. If you tend to toss and turn, have a shiatsu treatment and you will leave in a dreamy, spaced-out state, embracing sleep with open arms! And who doesn't love waking up fresh and revitalised!
WF ROAD TEST
Our ed coordinator, Sam Bailey, decided to give shiatsu massage a go. She saw Sydney based Ross Doherty from massageatbondijunction.com.au.
Our ed coordinator, Sam Bailey, decided to give shiatsu massage a go. She saw Sydney based Ross Doherty from massageatbondijunction.com.au.
Why do it?
When I was little I used to think all massages were the same then I started at Women's Fitness and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of different therapies, so I am excited to try another one.
When I was little I used to think all massages were the same then I started at Women's Fitness and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of different therapies, so I am excited to try another one.
What was involved?
My treatment began with a run-down of the five elements and how it works both in shiatsu and kinesiology. Lying down I then had oil applied to my back and Ross was able to tell from my posture and tension that my kidneys were overworking. This was affecting my liver and causing too much blood flow through it. So Ross applied firm finger pressure to acupoints in different areas of my body, from foot to my thigh that correlated with my kidney and liver and shunted blood flow away from the liver through pressure, stretches and flowing movements.
My treatment began with a run-down of the five elements and how it works both in shiatsu and kinesiology. Lying down I then had oil applied to my back and Ross was able to tell from my posture and tension that my kidneys were overworking. This was affecting my liver and causing too much blood flow through it. So Ross applied firm finger pressure to acupoints in different areas of my body, from foot to my thigh that correlated with my kidney and liver and shunted blood flow away from the liver through pressure, stretches and flowing movements.
What did it feel like?
Often the pressure was quite firm, sore but bearable. It left me realising how accurate the element map must actually be when a little spot on my left foot could pick up the same pain that was in the right side of my back where my kidneys were sore.
Often the pressure was quite firm, sore but bearable. It left me realising how accurate the element map must actually be when a little spot on my left foot could pick up the same pain that was in the right side of my back where my kidneys were sore.
Most importantly, did it work?
I certainly think I felt the after effect. Two days later I had a fourteen hour sleep over the weekend - twice! I also have felt energised and noticed looseness in my muscles. Ross was very on the ball with my diagnosis too, he said tight deadlines and leaving things until the last minute (aah, mag life) is why my kidneys are overworking.
I certainly think I felt the after effect. Two days later I had a fourteen hour sleep over the weekend - twice! I also have felt energised and noticed looseness in my muscles. Ross was very on the ball with my diagnosis too, he said tight deadlines and leaving things until the last minute (aah, mag life) is why my kidneys are overworking.
Would you do it again?
Yes, definitely! I truly think it's a very wise and accurate therapy that can teach you a lot about your body and ease you back into a relaxed state. But also what you don't expect is to have such a holistic session. Ross not only combined reflexology with shiatsu but he referred herbal remedies such as lemon balm and passionflower and dietary suggestions - apparently salty foods are great for kidney health, as well as yoga and pilates moves to help build my core strength.
Yes, definitely! I truly think it's a very wise and accurate therapy that can teach you a lot about your body and ease you back into a relaxed state. But also what you don't expect is to have such a holistic session. Ross not only combined reflexology with shiatsu but he referred herbal remedies such as lemon balm and passionflower and dietary suggestions - apparently salty foods are great for kidney health, as well as yoga and pilates moves to help build my core strength.
Shiatsu massage is believed to help…
•Improve blood circulation
•Leave skin glowing
•Help migraines
•Ease menstrual cramps
•Induce labour in pregnant women
•Relieve constipation
•Leave you feeling calmer
•Relieves muscle ache
•Assists with fatigue and insomnia
•Ease mood swings and irritability
•Treat depression and anxiety
•Alleviate with back, neck and shoulder pain
•Improve blood circulation
•Leave skin glowing
•Help migraines
•Ease menstrual cramps
•Induce labour in pregnant women
•Relieve constipation
•Leave you feeling calmer
•Relieves muscle ache
•Assists with fatigue and insomnia
•Ease mood swings and irritability
•Treat depression and anxiety
•Alleviate with back, neck and shoulder pain
By Sam Bailey.
