Shiatsu Healing Touch Nick Clark Dip. BSS
Crouch End Natural Health Centre
24 Hermiston Avenue
London
N8 8NL
Tel: 020 8340 6832
Monday 09:00 - 17:00 Wednesday & Thursday 19:00 - 21-00
Home/Onsite visits or more information
Tel: 07837 027310
What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is a gentle but powerful form of bodywork from Japan which is designed to heal and promote health by influencing and improving the state of natural energy in the body. Developed at the beginning of the last century, Shiatsu is a fusion of two ancient techniques, Japanese Massage (Anma) and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Because of this Shiatsu is not merely a set form massage but uses diagnostic techniques so that each treatment is tailored to the needs of the individual. During a treatment the practitioner, will use a series of gentle stretches, joint mobilisation and most importantly non-invasive pressure applied to the energy lines (meridians) and points to balance the flow of vital energy through the body thus stimulating the body's natural healing ability. A combination of palm pressure, thumb, elbow and sometimes even knees are used.
Shiatsu is an holistic treatment encompassing mind, body and spirit, It has the effect of calming the central nervous system and relaxing the muscles. This improves circulation of blood and lymph thus allowing nutrients to be delivered where they are needed and eliminating toxins and waste. This can lead to improved energy, vitality and sleep quality, greater concentration and alertness, promoting a sense of well being and leading to a more efficient lifestyle.
A Short History of Shiatsu
To follow the history of Shiatsu we must to travel to China where over the centuries a style of medicine has developed that focuses on the natural energy or Qi (pronounced Chi) flowing through the body. The Chinese found that if a stimulus in the form of heat, pressure or a needle was applied to specific points on the body that this would relieve the symptoms of many conditions. This system was developed and it was noted that these points are not merely random, but follow energetic pathways along the body and that each one was linked to a particular internal organ. These lines of energy became known in the West as Meridians and the points as Acupuncture points.
Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM as it became known eventually found its way to Japan where an ancient form of massage called Anma was being Practiced. At the beginning of the twentieth century Anma had become less of a medical practice and was mainly associated with relaxation and pleasure. Some practitioners however, saw the need to preserve massage as a healing technique began to develop a new form of therapy which incorporated Anma and TCM and eventually became known as Shiatsu which literally translated means finger pressure. Shiatsu has now become recognized by the Japanese Government as an accepted medical practice.
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Copyright © Nick Clark 2003