20November 2020
Like many people in Portland Oregon, I believed that Shiatsu Massage was simply another massage type utilized by massage therapists. Most folks don’t appreciate the ancestral roots of Shiatsu massage, which trace back through Japanese and Chinese cultures.
Where Does Shiatsu Massage Come From?
Shiatsu massage originates from a mix of ancient herbal therapies as well as acupuncture. The Shiatsu Society reports that the Japanese fine-tuned these strategies throughout the years to establish the manual healing that is called shiatsu massage.
Finally, in the early 20th century, western anatomy was integrated into the discipline. The disciplines of physiology, chiropractic, and physical therapy were combined with a number of techniques that are now called shiatsu massage.
What is Shiatsu Massage?
Shiatsu actually means “finger pressure.” This form of massage works on acupressure points to alleviate muscle tension and tiredness. These acupressure points are believed to run along the energy paths in the body called meridians.
By minimizing the pressure on these energy paths, the massage can help circulation and lymphatic function. Shiatsu is not simply a body treatment but works from a spiritual point of view to use a mind-body recovery alternative.
With all the spiritual belief systems allied with shiatsu massage, there are lots of approaches to this method. You might discover that you prefer one type of shiatsu over another for the various focus that each has.
Why Try Shiatsu Massage?
Individuals pick Shiatsu for lots of reasons. Among the main reasons is that a shiatsu professional will have a holistic approach to healthful vitality. In addition, shiatsu can be an essential part of stress and muscle tension management and holistic health care.
Many western massage and medical professionals choose to ascribe illness and injury to a particular part of the body. Using whole-body energy techniques with shiatsu indicates that the whole body is attended to. Focusing on the person as a whole, and not simply parts, can make a huge difference when it comes to prevention-centered care approaches.
Shiatsu Massage Advantages
Aside from the holistic approach of Shiatsu, there are many additional advantages to looking for a shiatsu professional. This type of bodywork can restore the body’s energy and assist those suffering from fatigue or weakness. There are lots of other benefits that Shiatsu provides that other types of massage or alternative treatments might not offer:
- Blood circulation improvement
- Relief of headaches
- Lessened depression and anxiety
- Arthritis pain relief
- Improved mobility and movement
- Insomnia relief
- Increased immune system function
- Less tension and stress
All of these positive features can be seen after a single massage. However, the benefits improve even further after regular and routine massage.
Less Need for Medication
Many individuals look for shiatsu because they want to avoid or decrease reliance on over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Shiatsu can be a fantastic alternative treatment for pain management, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. For those who do not wish to add more drugs to their daily regimen, this type of intervention might supply a welcomed reprieve from our “medication first” treatment system.
Naturally, there may be situations where massage alone will not be sufficient to help your condition. It has been shown, however, that clients who seek mainstream medical treatment together with alternative treatments for pain management, are more apt to have a beneficial outcome.
Conclusion
Shiatsu gets to the heart of everything that has been ignored by western medication, including the all-important energy pathways we have in our bodies, along with a holistic approach to healing. If you want an enhancement in your total quality of life, a Portland Oregon shiatsu massage is a good start.