ZEN SHIATSU - JAPANESE MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Massage Prices in the Plaza

 In 1905, Tokujiro Namikoshi was born into a family of four children.  His family moved to Hokkaido where his mother developed painful Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Tokujiro became his mothers carer for her pain and massaged her,  he developed a form of pressure massage which helped his mothers pain considerably.In these early days,  only two kinds of natural therapy existed in Japan. A Western-style Swedish massage and an ancient Chinese acupressure massage technique called "Anma."

Tokujiro studied Anma under an expert and earned his license. Returning to Hokkaido Tokujiro opened his first clinic.  He didn't offer Anmar or Accupressure Massage.   He offered the pressing technique he had developed  himself yet unnamed.

As he practiced in his own way, he wondered what he should call his method.  He saw the word "Shiatsu" in a magazine article, referring to "finger pressure."  He liked it, although he was mostly using his thumbs for pressure at the time.
 
Hence  . .
 
Zen Shiatsu  (definition - finger pressure) is a Japanese form of massage therapy that concentrates not only on releasing muscles and tight spots, but also balancing the body’s meridian pathways that are used in acupuncture.
 
A scientific explanation as to how shiatsu works would be -

"It sedates an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which improves circulation, relieves stiff muscles and alleviates stress on the adrenal glands".

An Eastern Medicine explanation is shiatsu uses the same points and pathways as acupuncture, and aims to treat the underlying cause of any health condition.

"Shiatsu is regarded by many as acupuncture without needles".

 Some of the main differences between Shiatsu massage and conventional Swedish massage therapy.


This is practiced onto acupuncture meridian points and extra points.

Application of  deep and gentle pressure with,
the palms of the hands,
the pads of the thumbs,
elbows and knees
Cloths on 

  Zen Shiatsu works.   It works just as well  through the cloths.  This allows for greater patient comfort and its less messy to deal with out of home with as massage oils can leave you feeling greasy and messy.

 Due to pressure being applied to a smaller surface area and having treatment performed on a comfortable futon on the ground, it is much easier to get into deeper tissue where tension is normally present. The amount of pressure applied is only as much as is comfortable for patients.   Matt Sincock..

 Typical effects from treatment include increased energy, relaxation, better sleep and normalized digestion.

People who experience a Zen Shiatsu massage thereafter usually prefer it to any other type of massage.

Zen Shiatsu is a technique that the Japanese have used for centuries.
 
Images @ Eminpee Fotography

Related articles

• 5 Popular Types of Massage for Back Pain and Healing