What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a holistic bodywork therapy and healing art originally from Japan. The word ‘Shiatsu’ translates as “finger-pressure” and in Shiatsu the practitioner uses pressure applied principally by thumbs and fingers and sometimes knees and elbows. It has been described in Japan as a “form of manipulation… to apply pressure to the human skin, correct internal malfunctioning, promote and maintain health, and treat specific diseases” (from Zen Shiatsu by Shizuto Masunaga and Wataru Ohashi, 1977).

Shiatsu helps with emotional and tension-related conditions as well physical problems. Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing experience. Regular Shiatsu helps prevent the build-up of tensions and stress in our daily lives.

Shiatsu works with the same channels or meridians as are used in acupuncture. The oriental view of health is that physical and mental wellbeing means that there is a smooth flow of Ki (pronounced “key”), circulating in the channels or meridians throughout the body. Inadequate flow of Ki results in disharmony in some form. Within the person and in time, this disharmony may develop into symptoms and illness.

Ki is most active and can be felt more clearly along the meridians, and blockages and energy released at points or ‘tsubos’ which occur along these meridians. Shiatsu stimulates this Ki energy using combinations of sensitivity and pressure together with some mobilisation of joints and carefully applied stretches where appropriate.

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My clinics are in Macclesfield, Cheshire, including Trinity House Practice, and at Wellbeing and Health, in Newcastle-under-Lyme