Japanese massage Shiatsu – above all, balance
“Shiatsu” in Japanese means “to press with thumbs”. The Shiatsu massage involves precise pressure on 12 energy pathways (acupressure points) on the human body. Each of them has its own energy and it is important that its level does not change. Among the assumptions of the Shiatsu massage, there is a theory that the accumulation of energy in one point, causing its deficit in another, translates into ailments that patients complain about. The entire treatment is a real ritual aimed at achieving harmony and balance – according to the philosophy of Yin and Yang. Interestingly, it benefits not only the patient. Performing the Shiatsu massage is a pursuit of personal development for the masseur. By massaging, the masseur responds to signals sent by the patient's body and tries to work with their natural energy. Could the popularity of Shiatsu stem from the fact that we need a bit of such magic in our daily lives?
What does the Shiatsu ritual look like?
Like Japanese massage, and also relaxing massage, it's aromatherapy. Upon entering the room where the ritual takes place, one can feel a soothing, sense-stimulating oriental scent. Apart from relaxing the body, it's also about the feeling of relaxation, which is enhanced by a properly chosen aroma. At the beginning, the patient receives disposable underwear – the entire body is massaged during the procedure, except for intimate areas. The patient remains clothed only if they choose a face massage. A frequently chosen variant is Shiatsu eye massage – one of the most important energy points in the body is located at the outer corners of the eyes, so gently pressing them quickly induces a feeling of complete relaxation.
A full-body Shiatsu massage takes place on a mattress or mat lying on the floor. Interestingly, the masseur kneels beside the patient to be on the same level – the aim is for the masseur to use the weight of their own body rather than the strength of their hands, elbows or knees during the ritual. Besides massaging tense muscles, the masseur also stretches the spine, arms, and legs, and bends them. However, there is no need to worry – the Shiatsu massage is not painful – after all, its aim is to cleanse energy points and induce relaxation. Although the masseur makes quite decisive movements, they are gentle and pleasant. The entire ritual lasts about 60 minutes, but after it ends, the patient rests for another fifteen minutes on the mat.
Shiatsu massages – who are they recommended for?
Massages, not only those originating from the Land of the Rising Sun, are treatments used both prophylactically and for existing ailments. Shiatsu massage is recommended for patients complaining of pains of various origins. People suffering from headaches, including migraines, back pain, or other neuralgias should definitely try this treatment. Often, ailments are caused by permanent muscle contractions in the neck or forearms – during a Shiatsu massage, they are relaxed, relieving the ailments. The functioning of the nervous system is also regulated, which can help with combating depression or insomnia. Furthermore, you should consider it if you feel tired, sleepy, weak, and lack energy. If insomnia or any other listed ailments are caused by hormonal fluctuations, e.g., related to menopause, Shiatsu massage, by balancing them, will also support the treatment process in this area.
Although Shiatsu is far from a classic sports massage, it does not mean that physically active people should ignore this treatment. Shiatsu is excellent during recovery from injuries or trauma and accelerates the process of the body’s regeneration.
Shiatsu massage – health is beauty
The effects of relaxing massage Shiatsu, aimed at achieving harmony and cleansing energy points in the body, are also visible in the external appearance of patients. The feeling of relaxation, relaxed facial muscles, or the entire body, and oxygenation of the skin through the massage make you feel and look better after the treatment.
Undoubtedly, the advantages of the discussed massage include cleansing the body of toxins – in this case, they are negative emotions that we accumulate within ourselves and which burden the energy points in the human body, causing various ailments. The Shiatsu massage releases this tension, strengthens immunity, and also increases intellectual capability and positively affects concentration ability. So, it looks like it's time for a bit of that Japanese magic...