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Shiatsu is from the Japanese words Shi meaning finger and Atsu meaning pressure. Combined these words make up the word Shiatsu meaning finger pressure which has been translated into English as finger massage.
Shiatsu is used to target points of the body that relate to the central and autonomic nervous system. This is done by using the fingers, palms and thumbs to put pressure on these areas to eliminate the disharmony that may be felt there. -
A shiatsu practitioner will use several methods before giving a shiatsu massage. First, a practitioner will make use of the patients physical characteristics, odors and appearance's. Next, a shiatsu practitioner will examine the pulse areas, tongue and see how the patient answers certain health questions. Last, the practitioner will feel for disharmonies in the energy fields around the internal organs in the abdomen area and back area.
The diagnosis is then crucial to the shiatsu therapy the patient will receive. Once the determined external and internal discomforts and disharmonies are figured out, then shiatsu massage is used to eliminate the problems. Shiatsu is also used to balance out the body's energies through finger massage. -
In Japan, anyone practicing Shiatsu has to have a license from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The title of the practitioner changes to Shiatsupractor once the license is granted. This license will only be granted to them after at least 3 years or 2200+ hours of educational shiatsu therapy classes at a university or college.
Different certification qualifications must be met in different areas that the Shiatsu practices has moved to. The most common criteria is that all must have a basic 3 year education in shiatsu therapy and pass in-person and written examinations.
