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.