Finger pressure message used to relieve muscular tension.
A form of healing massage in which the hands are used to apply pressure at acupuncture points on the body in order to stimulate and redistribute energy.
Japanese method of massage that incorporates the technique of acupressure.
Japanese massage therapy. Shiatsu, which literally means “finger pressure,” is used to release energy (“ki”) in the body at points where it is blocked. Shiatsu practitioners use knuckles, fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows, knees, and feet to apply pressure to specific points on the body thought to correspond to energy channels, known as meridians. Shiatsu is similar to acupressure, particularly in its emphasis on unblocking the flow of energy. However, in Shiatsu it is common to massage the entire length of a meridian, rather than specific points, to aximize the flow of ki. Shiatsu is used to maintain health and prevent disease rather than to treat specific ailments. Followers believe blocked ki is thought to cause pain, emotional distress, fatigue, depression, and eventually, disease.
Literally meaning “finger pressure” in Japanese. A firm sequence of rhythmic pressure is applied on specific points for three to seven seconds, designed to awaken the Acupuncture meridians. The meridians are points on the body, sometimes far removed from the area where symptoms or pain are experienced, which, when stimulated, bring about beneficial results. Similar to Massage, the goal of Shiatsu or “Acupressure” is to deeply relax tensed or exhausted muscles. It differs from massage in that pressure is applied more vigorously usually with the ball of the thumb, or sometimes even with the thumbnail.
Shiatsu was developed in Japan over the past fifty years by Tokujiro Namikoshi, who used the technique to treat over 100,000 patients suffering from a wide variety of illnesses and conditions. A Shiatsu treatment by a professional may take thirty minutes or more. Self-treatment is generally a matter of several minutes at a time, a few times a day. Shiatsu is said to be a good alternative to aspirin, and to the negative affects of any chemical in the body. It can also be administered to relieve conditions such as headaches, migraine, sore throat, sinus colds, neck fatigue, eyestrain, and toothache, among others. Whether and to what extent Shiatsu is scientifically proven remains a matter of some debate.
A manipulation therapy involving the gentle touch of fingers, hands, and feet in order to reduce tension. It also includes passive exercises to achieve tension reduction.
A therapeutic method that employs the soft touch of the digits, palms, and soles to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. Additionally, it encompasses inactive movements aimed at diminishing tension.