Shiatsu at Holistic Therapies

Shiatsu is a Japanese healing massage which takes place on a futon on the floor.

Shiatsu means literally "finger pressure " and may perhaps be thought of as "acupuncture without the needles " , since it uses all the underlying Traditional Chinese Medicine and knowledge of the effect on health of acupuncture points that an acupunturist would use as a basis for treatment.

This is a clothed massage of the whole body which involves gentle stretching, holding, rocking and pressure.. This pressure is applied not just with fingers and thumbs but also with hands, forearms knees and even feet - although the receiver is not usually aware of the therapist's "tool of the moment" and knows only of the therapeutic pressure which allows them to release stored tensions and resultant blockages of "Qi " - vital energy.

Shiatsu stimulates energy flow and blood circulation, releases muscle tension, promotes flexibility and gives physical, emotional and spiritual balance.

Common conditions which have been helped by Shiatsu include back pain , headaches and migraine ,whiplash injuries and neck stiffness, joint pain and reduced mobility , menstrual and digestive problems , asthma , sports injuries , anxiety and depression.