What Is Shiatsu? What Are the Benefits?
Abstract
Complementary treatment or additional methods of treatment are prevalent for the management of a variety of day to day problems. The complementary or alternative ways of management are ancient and are more preferred these days due to excessive side effects of synthetic medicines and approach towards more natural ways of management. These complementary ways of management were prevalent and important in day to day life as well. Shiatsu is one of the natural ways of relaxing the body, we will discuss elaborately in this article. Let’s read…
Introduction and History
Shiatsu is a form of massage that utilises the hands, thumb, or other body parts to apply direct pressure on various points or channels in the body. It is performed through loose clothing and oils are not meant to be used. Massage is a practice that has been present for thousands of years. Shiatsu is one of the famous and ancient massage therapies for relaxation, healing, and relief. Shiatsu is different from other massage therapies as we will discuss. Shiatsu’s origin is in Japan, it is an integrated technique of acupuncture and anma. Some physicians state Shiatsu as an advanced acupressure form. Shiatsu works to reduce the tension, pain and fatigue as it is a massage therapy involving specific body points. Also Shiatsu promotes blood circulation and strengthens the nerves as well. In the Chinese medicine system, qi is the life driving force and vital force for all activities. Shiatsu technique has roots in the qi concept. This technique says good health is a phenomenon associated with unobstructed flow of qi. The blocked or obstructed qi leads to body pain or other digestive issues, this concept is also prevalent in Ayurvedic sciences that poor status of doshas leads to health deterioration.
Basic technique
Basic technique of Shiatsu is to apply pressure. A main aim of Shiatsu practitioners is to apply pressure on parts believed to be energy channels. It will help to balance or make the flow of energy continuous. A shiatsu practitioner may also use palms, elbows, and sometimes feet to apply pressure along energy lines or paths to relieve pain and tension in the body. Before the beginning of the session a practitioner evaluates the person/patient, his/her energy and assesses a person’s state of qi (vital energy or life force) to plan the session.
The varying protocols performed by practitioners are based on the general energy level, presence of blockages, and conditions. The basic manual techniques performed by practitioners are holding, tapping, pressure, stretching, kneading, and soothing, using their thumbs, fingers, palms, and knees. Stretches, rotations, and joint mobilizations are also part of shiatsu. There is no use of oils in this famous technique of Shiatsu and no instrument is used as well. Shiatsu is a massage therapy technique practised with soft and strong pressures on the reflex points of the body. The therapist mainly exerted pressure with his thumbs and fingers—hence its name shiatsu, which means “finger pressure” in Japanese—but also with his or her palms, elbows and sometimes feet.
Benefits
- Improved bowel function.
- Decreased fatigue.
- Pain treatment.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Improved relaxation.
- Decreased depression.
- Headache treatment.
- Improvement of chronic lower back pain.
Ayurvedic techniques equivalent to Shiatsu
Ayurveda is ancient science which is more than 3000 years old. Ayurvedic classical treatment has many branches. Panchkarma is one of the branches known for the variety of procedures having external and internal detoxification ways. We will discuss Abhyang and Marma therapy prevalent and performed by Ayurvedic physicians to manage the aggravated doshas.
Abhyang
Abhyang (massage) is a process in which body of a person is oleated with medicated oil with a special movement (gati) and specific pressure. It is done in different postures, seated with legs extended, lying on the back of the body, lying left of the body and lying on the front of body and many more. For the better results 5-10 Mins of massage therapy is used. The Nirgundi oil and Dhanwantharam oil of Planet Ayurveda is helpful in abhyang procedure due to their vata pacifying properties.
The main benefits of Abhyang are
- it enhances the age
- it helps to relieves the weakness
- pacify the aggravated vata dosha,
- Strengthen the body
- Promote a sound sleep
- Reduce the muscle stiffness.
- Increase the muscle strength and act as an immunity booster.
Marma Therapy
It is performed as a way to prevent the variety of health issues. Marma therapy helps to promote the blood flow to the target organs and hence reduce the chances of various fatal diseases like cancer. On the basis of classification Marma can be classified as Sadyah pranhar marma, kalantra pranahara marma, vishalyaghan, vaikalyakara marma, rujakara marma. Marma therapy promotes physical and emotional well being. Marma therapy helps to pacify the vitiated doshas even. It is evident in a variety of researches that Marma therapy is beneficial in muscular pain, joint pain, muscular strain, respiratory issues, digestion problems, confusion, anxiety and depression. Marma is helpful in various diseases like Paralysis, sciatica pain, spondylitis, respiratory issues, urinary incontinence and many more.
In Shiatsu oil is not used. But in case of severe pain Nirgundi oil and Dhanwantram oil can be used for the management of pain. Shiatsu can be used in the treatment of a wide range of internal, musculoskeletal, and emotional conditions. It is thought to reduce muscle stiffness, stimulate the skin, aid digestion, and influence the nervous system
Conclusion
Shiatsu helps to promote the person’s health by impacting the internal energy in a very positive manner. This therapy can be indicated in issues associated with Poor posture, arthritis issues, muscular pain, poor digestion and poor bowel movement, injury during sports, fever, asthma, recurrent cold, sciatica, aches and pain, inflammation joint problems such as arthritis, poor sexual health. Other mesmerising benefits are the restoration and maintenance of energy and maintaining the body’s energy. Also it is beneficial to improve circulation, help to reduce stress and promote healing from injuries. The best thing about this technique is that it is non-invasive therapy to deal with diseases. Like Ayurveda techniques the shiatsu is also considered safe under the guidance of trained practitioners.
