Certified Shiatsu Therapy

Shiatsu therapy is a non-invasive Japanese form of whole-body massage. Translated from Japanese, it literally means “finger pressure,” which basically describes the technique used during the treatment. Specifically, comfortable pressure is applied perpendicular to the client’s soft tissue, almost exclusively with the therapist’s thumbs. The degree of pressure depends upon the structure being worked, its sensitivity and tightness in the case of muscles. Naturally, then, the amount of pressure will vary from each part of the body to the next and even within a given muscle - all of which the therapist is aware.

Typically, the purposes of treatment are fourfold:

• decrease discomfort and pain where possible;
• reduce or eliminate taut bands (‘knots’) within muscles;
• improve restricted range of motion of associated joints ; and
• overall improve the working condition of muscles by helping them to become more supple and pain-free.

In some cases, muscles will have been repeatedly stressed from being contracted for long periods without a break or general overuse. In other cases generalised muscle tightness may result from eccentric injury -- i.e., as with exercises. In both cases shiatsu therapy can help by reducing the probability of occurrence of injury due to muscles being too taut prior to exercise or such activities.

To help maintain proper muscular condition, stretches where appropriate are also given in a supervised framework. Moreover, every effort is made to identify the perpetuating factors that are causing specific muscles to become tight and/or discomfort. In that way the client may become proactive and be able to make a valuable contribution to her/his recovery and maintenance of health.

What Should I Expect?

Shiatsu is done fully clothed. After the therapist assesses your condition or needs, you may be asked to slip into some loose fitting clothing provided by the Centre for more comfort . The therapist will discuss with you his/her findings and treatment plan, after which s/he will then position you on the massage table with pillows to certain areas for comfort. Some therapist use heat packs during the course of treatment to aid in helping tense muscles to relax. If they become too hot, please let the therapist know so s/he can promptly remove them. S/he will then begin to treat you using finger pressure on certain muscles/tendons to cause tense or tight areas to relax. At times this can be uncomfortable until the tension in the muscle releases. If it becomes painful, please let the therapist know so they can decrease the pressure. Also you may experience twitches in certain muscles when pressure is applied. You may also feel a “referred” sensation to another part of the muscle or body as it starts to relax. These are normal reactions but sometimes unexpected if you have never had shiatsu before. While this is rare, because of the pressure, you may experience bruising a day or so following. That is why it is imperative that you let the therapist know if the pressure is painful. The amount of pressure required is different for each person. Some people enjoy significant amounts of pressure, whereas others can only tolerate mild pressure.

Precautions:

People on anti-coagulants (blood thinners) may be prone to bruising after shiatsu. If you are on these drugs, please consult with your doctor prior to receiving shiatsu

If you have diabetes, you may experience diabetic neuropathy. This is a deterioration of nerve tissues caused by the disease. It may leave you with decreased or no sensation to certain body parts, mainly extremities. If you have diabetes, please inform your therapist, so he/she may take special care not to apply or over apply pressure to these areas.

And as with all bodywork, if you are pregnant, it is imperative that your therapist know this. As in acupuncture, there are several ‘points’ that should either not be worked or worked lightly (besides the abdomen).