How to Get a Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu is a Japanese massage technique that works to harmonize the body's energy flow, or chi, via compression and active pressure on trigger points. These areas of the nervous system correspond to meridians that serve the spine, limbs and organs. Shiatsu promotes well-rounded healing and balance of the mind, body and spirit, and is effective after illness or injury, or as an ongoing health maintenance routine.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Massage therapist trained in shiatsu therapy

Get Insight Into Shiatsu Philosophy

1. Learn the shiatsu holistic concepts. Your massage therapist's goal will be to facilitate the free flow of energy through your body's meridians. The state of your chi system is believed to determine your overall health.

2. Use shiatsu for incurable or chronic physical complaints, such as migraines, joint or muscle stiffness or back pain.

3. Seek shiatsu massage for mental conditions, such as anxiety attacks or depression, that stem from stress issues.

Get Insight Into Your Body With Shiatsu

4. Answer medical and lifestyle questions posed by your shiatsu massage therapist before you get treatment. This information helps to personalize the session for optimum benefits.

5. Lie on the futon or shiatsu mat face up or face down, as your therapist instructs.

6. Receive an initial body palpation or light massage for diagnostic purposes.

7. Experience gentle pressure from your shiatsu therapist's fingers, palms, forearms or feet on acupressure points that relate to specific areas of your body.

8. Perform stretches regularly after the massage, taking care to relax into the stretch, rather than straining to stretch as far as you can.

9. Perform any resistance movements, where you are asked to apply pressure against the therapist or floor. These can be used to alleviate a blockage or strengthen a recovering muscle or tendon.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have undiagnosed or chronic pain that other bodywork has not alleviated, holistic shiatsu might be for you.
• Don't drink alcohol for 12 hours prior to or following your treatment.
• Detoxify following your session by drinking plenty of water.
• You will be clothed during shiatsu massage and should wear thin, loose-fitting cotton clothing that doesn't obstruct your range of motion.
• If you have heart or breathing conditions, ask your doctor before you get any kind of massage.
• Shiatsu does not work on the same structure as Swedish massage, so don't expect as much manipulation of the muscles. Rather than long, smooth strokes, shiatsu uses pressure on trigger points to open up the body's pathways and disperse pain.