Shiatsu is a kind of Japanese therapeutic massage created in Japan, which has spread around the world. The 1915 Japanese book, Shiatsu Ryoho written by Tenpaku Tamai is probably the first written reference to modern Shiatsu. Yet somehow, Tokujiro Namikoshi's (1905-2000) followers regard him to be the creator of Shiatsu. Joy Taylor is a Practitioner of Shiatsu in Sheffield England.

Shiatsu controls your nervous system and supports natural healing by stimulating chemical responses inside your body. The therapeutic result comes from the fact that Shiatsu activates the release of hormones and body chemicals necessary to cure, to soothe, as well as to make your mind and body function optimally.

Shiatsu has gained official recognition by the EU Parliament also. It is among the eight non-conventional, complementary medicine disciplines stated in the Collins Report, which was used by the European Parliament in May 1997 (see references).

There are 838 basic shiatsu pressure points, known as Atten in Japanese. These points are located on the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymph vessels, bones, and also endocrine glands. As the therapy goes, the therapist feels the condition of the body, and uses suitable types of pressure. The basis rule is that, the tighter the muscles can be, the lighter the pressure should be put on. As the muscles relax, the pressure turns deeper but it is certainly firm and steady. Knuckles, fists, elbows, and knees are not used throughout a Namikoshi Shiatsu Treatment as they lack the required sensitivity.

Is Shiatsu any different from massage?

To understand Shiatsu better, we could compare it to Western massage. Both of them are based on anatomy and physiology. But, there are differences in the philosophy and the process used by the therapist. Shiatsu method uses finger and palm pressure but without rubbing, while western massage uses a rubbing motion. No oil or cream is ever applied during a Shiatsu treatment, as there is no rubbing in Shiatsu.

The main difference between Shiatsu and other modern Western types of bodywork, generally known as massage, is in the way of applying pressure. In Shiatsu it is deep delicate pressure, using hands, thumbs, and fingers. Western Massage, on the contrary, uses movements along the body surface also using herbs and oil as a lubricant.

Taking part in Shiatsu treatment is very easy for everyone. In Shiatsu removing your clothes is not required. In conventional Western Massage, that is generally performed on bare skin with oils or lotions, you must partially or fully disrobe.

The therapeutic benefits and ease of Shiatsu have made it so popular all over the world.

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