Shiatsu Massage, Vancouver Ancient Japanese preventative and rehabilitative therapy A good shiatsu treatment is like a dance in which the therapist, through compassion and skill, awakens your own healing energies. Shiatsu massage is effective in the management of many acute and chronic conditions.

People of all ages, including infants and children, experience lasting, beneficial results from therapeutic shiatsu massage. From a Western point of view, acupressure stimulates the healing, conserving functions of the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system to calm the body's overactive "fight-or-flight" response.

The shiatsu therapist treats the whole body as well as the specific problem areas. This gives the body the space and time to heal itself and restore normal functioning. Shiatsu massage is an important part of a preventative or rehabilitative health care program.

What should I expect from a Shiatsu massage?

Typically, a Shiatsu treatment lasts between one hour to two hours. In meridian style shiatsu, treatments are traditionally done on a floor mat, and clients usually wear loose fitting clothing. A Shiatsu therapist applies comfortable pressure to all parts of the client's body with hands and thumbs, elbows, knees and even feet. The degree of pressure is adjusted to the comfort level of each client.

In a traditional Shiatsu massage, you are fully clothed and no massage oil is applied. However, therapist whom are trained in multidisciplinary skills, offer Shiatsu on a massage table as well. In this case pressure is applied through the top of the sheet and proper draping techniques ensure that your body is fully covered.

A qualified Shiatsu therapist has completed an accredited diploma program. In Canada a diploma course requires between 900 to 2200 hours of training that includes extensive study of both Eastern and Western sciences.

The Origin of Shiatsu

Shiatsu therapy is holistic. Oriental medicine sees the human being as inseparable, one, without divisions between mind, body, and soul. The word shiatsu literally translates as "finger-pressure".  However, shiatsu is more than just a way to apply physical pressure to various  points of the body.  It goes far beyond that to involve total communication between therapist and client.

Though the East and West seem to have little in common, both describe the wonder of life and the human body.  Eastern medicine has accumulated knowledge and wisdom about the human body, just as Western medicine has. Eastern medical theory The 'sunlight ' vessel of the stomach showing 48 acupuncture spots describes health as a dynamic balance of body, mind, and spirit. Meridian style shiatsu is deeply rooted in ancient Oriental medical practices that are over 5,000 years old.

Disease in traditional Oriental medicine is the result of imbalance of the life energy, "chi" or "ki". This energy is believed to travel through the body along pathways called "meridians". The shiatsu therapist aims to unblock the flow of energy, to bring the client's body back into balance and help the client regain the natural ability to maintain equilibrium or wellness. This relieves symptoms and, as function improves, the client regains a feeling of vitality.

Find a practitioner and book a shiatsu massage appointment now!