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Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure”. Shiatsu uses hand pressure and manipulative techniques to align the body's physical structure and rebalance its innate energy ‘Ki’, maintaining optimal self-regulation, equilibrium and well being.

Shiatsu is characterized by its great simplicity. It grew from earlier forms of massage, called Anma in Japan (Anmo or Tuina in China) which use rubbing, stroking, squeezing, tapping, pushing, and pulling to influence the muscles and circulatory systems of the body. Shiatsu was developed in the early part of the 20th century by a Japanese practitioner, Tamai Tempaku, who incorporated the newer Western medical knowledge of anatomy and physiology into several older meth­ods of treatment. Originally he called it "Shiatsu Ryoho", or "finger pressure way of healing", then "Shiatsu Ho ", "finger pressure method". Now known simply as "Shiatsu", it was officially recognized as a therapy by the Japanese Government in 1964, so distinguishing it from the older form of traditional massage, Anma. The role of shiatsu therapists is to diagnose and treat according to the principles of Oriental medicine.

Shiatsu is a rejuvenating treatment recommended for back pain, stress, headaches, whiplash injuries, neck stiffness, joint pain, reduced mobility and many sports injuries. Shiatsu can also be helpful with chronic fatigue, digestive complaints, emotional disturbances and is especially effective for Jet-lag.