Shiatsu Massage and Zen-Shiatsu
Shiatsu is not a martial art, it is not acupressure, nor it is
“deep tissue” or “Rolfing”. Although Shiatsu does incorporate certain
elements of the western massage, ancient Chinese acupressure has a lot
in common (philosophy wise) with the philosophy of ancient martial arts.
It is a distinct type of bodywork. In Japan it is traditional and
normal for families and friends to practice shiatsu on each other.
Previous to the industrial revolution in Japan acupuncture students were
required to learn bodywork in order to understand energy. Body workers
were regarded as important people. Each Shogun had their own
practitioner to work on them.
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Traditional Oriental Diagnosis was further developed by Shizuto Masunaga
who set up the Iokai Dojo in the middle of the last century. His
approach was radical in that he included psychology in diagnosis and
used the word 'skinships' to describe appropriate touch. His style of
shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu is the most popular in this country as it is
gentler than traditional shiatsu. The techniques used allow the nervous
system to relax deeply, relaxing tension and stress which has built up
as a result of life experiences. Practitioners work, using simple palm
pressure listening from one hand to the other and moving on when a sense
of unity is felt. This is usually experienced by both the practitioner
and the recipient, making shiatsu a pleasurable, relaxing, healing
technique for both people involved.
Some historical
background
Although it is true to say that all forms of Massage and Bodywork are as
old as any healing, Shiatsu has evolved over the centuries.
Origins of Shiatsu
The
very origins of Shiatsu are firmly rooted in the ancient
Chinese/Oriental medicine.
The first documented data is over 2500 years old and is rooted in the
principles of self-massage and self-applied pressure point therapy,
(namely Do-In), and used for healing, purification, detoxification, and
stimulating energy. This approach gradually became an integral part of
the existing health practices, and spread along with other Chinese
healing arts throughout Southeast Asia.
Among these arts was the ancient “Massage and Point Pressing” known as
Anma, and practiced in many cases by the blind, due to their
extraordinary sense of “feeling through touching”. The Anma, along with
the previously mentioned Do-In, resemble, in many ways, today’s Shiatsu.
Present Day Shiatsu
Present day Shiatsu acquired it’s name in Japan in the beginning of the
19th century. It was officially recognized by the Japanese government in
the 1950’s, following the intense efforts of Toru Namikoshi, the founder
of modern Shiatsu. Namikoshi based his approach and theory by blending
Western physiology with the Chinese-originated Anma and Do-In. Namikoshi
associated between Western reflex points of the nervous system and
ancient charts and pressure points of the Anma and Do-In.
The Japanese therapist Shizuto
Masunaga, established the practice of using both hands of the
therapist participating simultaneously in the administration of the
Shiatsu. Moreover, Masunaga taught a meditative type of sensitivity to
the Energy Channels (Meridians) which, according to the Oriental
Traditional Medicine, are the manifestation of the inter-relation of
body and mind with the universe, thus Zen-Shiatsu was born.
At
the same time that Namikoshi and Masunaga developed their approaches,
other schools of Shiatsu theory were born. In general it is not so much the method, as much
as the therapist’s personal attitude, sensitivity and proficiency that
determines the success of the treatment.
However this discussion focuses on the use of Zen-Shiatsu.
Zen-Shiatsu Session:
Introduction
A
Zen-Shiatsu session is a therapeutic Bodywork session combining elements
of meditation (Zen) with application of so called “finger-pressure”
(Shiatsu - in Japanese). The relaxed and meditative state of both the therapist
and patient is maintained while application of varying degrees and types
of pressure and gentle stretching are administered.
Shiatsu is a non-verbal exchange and dialog of life force (Qi) between
the giver (therapist) and the receiver (patient) of Shiatsu. It is
important to understand this meditative element of Zen Shiatsu, as it is
one of the most sensitive tools to access, as well as influence the
receiver’s condition.
Focus on Breathing patterns
Along with the desired meditative state comes the giver’s focus on the
patient’s breathing pattern. This is essential in choosing not only the
right timing to apply pressure technique, but also to diagnose the
intensity or weakness of the life-force in various organs, pressure
points (Tsubos), and along the invisible network of Qi flow.
Approach to Diagnosis
A large part of shiatsu training is devoted to using exercise and
meditation in order to become focused. Traditionally, Shiatsu is carried
out on a futon (mat on the floor), techniques include those from
traditional massage, stretching, meridian stretches, palm healing, off
the body healing and pressure. The practitioner may use their feet,
knees, elbows, hands or thumbs/fingers during treatment. Shiatsu
practitioners use exercise to train to be fit and flexible enough to
work on the floor and to be able to intuit/diagnose what to do next.
However, Shiatsu may be done in any position that allow the necessary
contact between the practitioner and the reciever.
Oriental Diagnosis is based on Five Element theory. Each element has its
own characteristics and meridians corresponding to a pair of organs in
the body. For example: Water relates to the Kidneys and the Bladder. The
elemental theory was formed by traditional people observing the seasons
and their effect on people. Kidneys have their season in Winter, their
climate being cold and a common response to the weather becoming colder
is to pass water. Some people will feel tired in colder weather. This
may manifest as lower back weakness or stiff shoulders. Other people
enervated. Our seasonal preferences and responses to life say much about
our tendencies to be healthy or unhealthy.
When a new patient arrives for a first treatment, the therapist will use a number of
indicators for diagnosis. For example: the
patient’s posture, complexion, hand shake, the contours of the head and
wrinkles on the face, the shape and condition of the nails, the moisture
of the hand shake, the examination of the tongue, the pulse, and many
other aspects may be brought into use. The most in-depth is the Touching Diagnosis, which will be discussed at length further on.
The session begins with the therapist listening to the patient’s story
and complaints, which should be documented in much detail, as they serve
the therapist later in successfully understanding conditions that may
stem from the patient’s medical and personal background.
This is also the time to start creating a practitioner-patient
relationship and trust. One of the misfortunes of Western Medicine is
the fact that the doctor-patient relationship is brisk, business-like,
frequently lacking empathy. A good Shiatsu therapist truly wishes to
share his patient’s concerns and feelings.
Shiatsu Diagnosis:
Concepts of Excess (Jitsu) and Deficiency (Koyo)
Diagnostic skills, separate the skilled Shiatsu therapist from the
home hobbyist. In Shiatsu,
imbalance and disharmony in the body is diagnosed by the condition of
the Qi flow in the Hara (the abdominal cavity from the solar plexus down
to the pubic bone), and in the Qi Channels. By a very light and gentle
palpitation of the Hara, a Shiatsu therapist can determine which of the
organs, and the meridians linked to it, carries excess (Jitsu) Qi, and
which carries too little Qi, and thus is named deficient (Koyo).
Shiatsu deals with the body as a whole. In Shiatsu, while dealing
with internal organs the therapist must address the parasympathetic
nervous system in order to influence their functioning. To stimulate the
body, we influence the sympathetic nerves, but in order to sedate/calm,
we must activate the parasympathetic nerves.
The methodology used in Zen Shiatsu to influence the parasympathetic
nerves calls for the simultaneous use of both hands. By using the palm
of one hand and the fingertips of the other the therapist is able to
feel in his palm the changes in Qi flow caused by applying pressure by
the fingertips. If the patient feels discomfort the therapist
simultaneously feels it.
Highlighting the
treatment
Shiatsu is mostly administered, to a patient wearing a single layer of
comfortable clothing, which allows for conduction of the skin’s
resonance. Although this is the prevalent form of practice, in some
places inside the U.S.A. and throughout the world, Shiatsu is
administered to bare skin, in pursuit of a better sensation of the Qi
flow.
Giving Shiatsu in the clothed manner is based on the assumption
that:
a) the patient is much less inhibited by the touch
b) a direct
contact with the skin may distort the giver’s focus and perception of
the Qi flow.
Shiatsu can be administered on the floor, on a carpet or on a futon in a
variety of positions lying on the back, on the stomach,, on the
side, or even sitting up. The practitioner can access the relevant
pressure points (Tsubos), and perform the necessary stretches, in every
one of these positions. However, the choice of the position should be
most comfortable to both giver and receiver. Often shiatsu is
administered in more than one position in a single session. For certain manipulations, certain positions
may be more effective than others. However the patient’s comfort and the
therapist’s own energy and skill should be the determining factor. It is not the
number of positions or type of positions the will determine the
effectiveness of the session.
During the session it is rare for the therapist to intiate any
conversation. It is best to keep an empty mind and quiet
throughout the session, thus promoting the meditative focus.
The Role of Discomfort in Shiatsu
Discomfort or pain is a sensation originated in some imbalance. In a Shiatsu session pressure is applied gradually, with a great
sensitivity to body parts, be it “pressure points” or just “wider parts
of the body” (tissue, muscles, bones and organs) with the intention of
regaining balance in the flow of life’s vital energy (Qi). Sometimes, a
number of these points may be obstructed, and does not allow for a
healthy flow of this energy. The patient may or may not be aware of that
obstruction until the therapist is stimulating a certain obstructed
point, thus causing some degree of discomfort. Other Tsubos happen to be
directly on certain nerves. It would be a sign of
some disorder if such a Tsubo would not create some reflexive
discomfort.
No skilled Shiatsu therapist uses exaggerated amount of pressure, nor is
the pressure abrupt. However, each individual has a different pain
threshold, and what merely feels like pressure by one, is interpreted as
pain by another. Since the therapist is
tuned in and focused onto the receiver’s reactions, it is usually easy
to determine a painful spot, by sudden grimace on the receiver’s face,
tightening of a muscle or a gentle pull away movement. The therapist
will response with a lightening of pressure.
If the therapist would try to press in spite the pain, that would only
cause a complete shut-off of access to the particular point, and failure
to achieve the healing and stimulating effect desired. Besides, there is
frequently an alternative, less sensitive point to use, in order to
release the stagnation in the blocked one.
The use of hands
The
application of pressure in Zen Shiatsu is performed simultaneously with
both hands.
However many times we use the hands for two different roles: while one
hand “ tonifies”
(= stimulates) certain “weak” (koyo) meridian - the other one applies
stationary light touch to the “hyper” (jitsu) meridian which needs to be
“calmed”. Sometimes both hands are used to stimulate, and sometimes both
are used to sedate.
Tonification is performed by firm stationary
pressure of a thumb or a finger/s to the points we wish to stimulate.
The pressure is applied until we feel the Qi rising, and filling the
weak part of the channel. This may take a few seconds or a few minutes.
Calming/sedating a “hyper” meridian is performed by covering the “hyper”
with one or two palms, creating a supportive touch, very much like
placing a hand on the shoulder of an upset friend.
The third way of
application of the Shiatsu pressure is named “Dispersing”. It is aimed
at Tsubos, which are “hyper” and need to be “pumped out” of the excess
Qi. While it can and is done sometimes through gentle tapping or rotary
motion on the Tsubo, a skilled practitioner will choose, mostly the
calming/sedating approach, possibly along with simultaneous stimulation
of a “weak” meridian, since “dispersing” carry the risk more discomfort.
Stretching
A
typical Zen Shiatsu session includes also stretching of the limbs and
certain body areas in various angles and ways. Since Zen Shiatsu is a
very fluid and mobile practice, the stretching is often combined with
pressure application.
The stretching, besides being very pleasant and
relaxing, helps open blocked meridians, very much like the untangling of
a garden hose full of pressurized water, in order to resume normal flow.
When the session nears it's end, the therapist should once more examine
the Hara, and asses whether the results of his treatment, indeed show
improved balance of the Qi flow.
Patient Reactions
Since the therapist is adjusting the patient's system, one must
remember, that although Shiatsu has no "side-effects" - the patient may
sometimes feel very relaxed, or even tired after the session. Other
times, he may feel energized and slightly "hyper". These "reactions"
stem from the fact that the body-mind of the patient has to adjust to
the changes brought about by the session.
The
session lasts somewhere between fourty-five minutes to seventy-five
minutes. The therapist
should base the session lengthen on a through re-examination to
determine if the session has balanced or
started balancing the Qi flow.
What can we expect
to gain from Shiatsu?
In
the Orient, most of Europe, as well in the U.S.A. Shiatsu is
considered to be one of the best health care methods in daily life.
Shiatsu is capable of not only treating but also preventing disease.
Modern daily life is very stressful. Stress disturbs proper digestion,
and thus proper nutrition, and a balanced Qi flow. Since a lot of our
tension is passively collected on our skin, it is the skin which is
first to be affected by stress, and eventually conducts its magnetic
distortions into the internal organs. Shiatsu treatments can provide
both a healthy and a stress-ridden body, with the means of and
establishing better stress management capacity stronger and more
resilient body mind system, better human relationships or in short,
everything essential for a good health. In other words the aims and the
achievements of good Shiatsu therapy are :
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Improving relaxation as means to fight the effects of stress.
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Enhancing the patient’s blood and lymphatic flow, thus boosting the
vitality and the immune system.
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Alleviation of pains and stiffness.
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Ability to confront both transient as well as chronic conditions.
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Development of healing compassion through healing touch.
Understanding Zen
Shiatsu basic terminology
The concept of Qi
Qi is the POWER of creation. It is the Force that rules Energy, and the
only force that can turn energy into Matter, and therefore it is the
most important force behind the creation of the world, as we perceive
it: earth, sky, wind, oceans and LIFE itself.
The Traditional Oriental approach speaks of “three treasures”: Qi, Jing and Shen. It is JING that stimulated by QI that creates Life,
which is further given meaning, by the incorporation of “consciousness”,
brought about by the SHEN which can loosely be seen as our SOUL. One way
or another, no life would be created and carried on without the initial
function of Qi, which controls all MOVEMENT, whether it is the blowing
of the wind, the flowing water in rivers, the burning of fire or the
flowing of our blood.
The sources of QI are mainly the sunlight and the water, without which
life is impossible. On the human/ animal body level the source of
continuous Qi supply comes from Heritage (initially we inherit it from
our parents), and from the moment of birth on - from Air and Food.
To
sum this up, Qi is everywhere; on the earth and in the skies, although
its presence is more overwhelming when one watches the Niagra Falls,
then while observing, say, the peaceful movement of the clouds on a
sunny summer skies.
The concepts of
Meridians (Channels) and Tsubos
Once life is created, constant flow of Qi accompanies it until life
ends. Qi flows through the body through an invisible network of lines,
or channels. These channels, lines, meridians, whatever the name used,
can not be found by dissecting the body, or during a surgery. The
meridians are born to a new life form, and disappear without a trace
upon death. The concept of meridians or channels has never been
scientifically proved, however, just like herbal medicine, which is not
manufactured in a scientific lab, it may be many times more effective
than conventional, scientifically manufactured drugs.
Meridians can be
defined as invisible channels conducting life’s magnetic energy (Qi)
through the body.
These channels are mostly associated with our internal
organs, and their functioning. If we shall momentarily go back to the
history of Shiatsu, we shall be reminded of the Anma and the Do-In
approaches which were used for the treating of disease by MANUALLY
stimulating points on the skin, that were connected to the functioning
of internal organs. These points were eventually connected to document a
form of network. This network became systemized, along with the pressure
points (Tsubos), by Acupuncture. It is widely believed, that it was the
MANUAL MANIPULATION and not the “needlework” that was the first one to
use this network. Tsubos, or pressure points are those points, along the
meridians, where the flow of Qi, can be influenced by applied pressure,
plain touch, heat, or the insertion of an acupuncture needle.
Although acupuncture charts show the Tsubos as connected by straight
lines, an experienced Zen-Shiatsu practitioner is able to sense that
Tsubos are connected with other Tsubos by wider channels than those
systemized by acupuncture (and referred to as “ fixed Tsubos “). These
wider, not necessarily straight meridians cover the whole body, and
actually “double” the number of the meridians.
These pressure points, or Tsubos, are magnetic/energetic connections between the major meridians
and the skin, where the constant flow of QI can be felt on the skin’s
surface. But many other tsubos, which are not “systemized”, or not
“fixed” are detected on the surface of the skin, along the additional
meridians defined by Masunaga.
Some ancient sources claim that there are about 2000 pressure points (Tsubos)
on the human body; acupuncture teaches about 361. Due to the use of the
wider, “double” meridian network in Zen- Shiatsu, only 60-90 Tsubos are
used as major ones, yet many more are manipulated through the wider
(thumbs, fingers, palms, arms, etc.) contact with the patient’s skin.
In classical Oriental medicine fourteen major meridians are recognized
and used.
In Shiatsu, due to the fact that it is a hands-on approach we cover
through manual manipulation wider areas. For example we may apply
simultaneous pressure to two, three or more meridians. Zen -Shiatsu uses
12 meridians in the arms, and 12 in the legs. These “extra” meridians,
(sometimes named “extensions” of the major ones), allow for more
effective treatment.
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