The traditional Chinese medicine has spread through the orient notably acupuncture and acupressure. In Japan, it has been a practice that in every Japanese home, at least a member of the family knows how to apply shiatsu massage. This is one way of helping the family members enjoy its benefits which they considered medicine. While there are some that disputes such belief that it heals, others contend that shiatsu massage has that relieving effects on the body when all the twelve meridian points are properly pressed.
Shiatsu massage utilizes the techniques of acupressure. Its uses the hands, thumbs, knees and elbows in applying it. The acupressure technique was derived from acupuncture therapy and the traditional Chinese medical approaches. While both acupuncture and acupressure both uses the twelve meridian points in its application, the two differs in the medium used. In acupuncture, it uses thin needles while in acupressure; the therapist depends on the use of pressure on deep tissues to stimulate the twelve body meridians. And shiatsu massage similarly uses these twelve meridians to balance the chi in the body.
The philosophy of oriental medicine believes that the principal cause of sickness is the unbalance chi. Once this imbalance is settled, the body will experience a healthier condition as compared when such issues were not yet addressed. It is with this belief that shiatsu massage is a healing medicine technique as it balances the chi in the body of the patient.
Shiatsu Acupressure, Its Functions In Japanese Shiatsu Massage
As previously mentioned, like acupuncture, shiatsu acupressure massage therapy is using the same meridian points of acupuncture. The traditional Chinese medicine teaches that along these meridian points are located the same acupressure points used to apply pressure using the hands, knees, thumbs as well as the elbows. The therapist positions himself or herself on the side, on the top or front of the customer to secure a position where perfect pressure could be applied. The patient is normally lying on his or her back, on his stomach or on the two sides of his or her body. These positions likewise provide the therapist the best position to press on the twelve meridian points of the body.
Why Zen Shiatsu Is Also Needed
In the application of pressure on the twelve meridian energy points, it is believed that meditation must be one of the qualities possessed by the therapist. Zen shiatsu which is regarded as a meditation tool has been considered a complimentary shiatsu skill. This was popularized by Shitzuto Masunaga who was a firm believer that Zen promotes the achievement of body and mind coordination. It also assists in the keen understanding of the therapist about the chi behavior in the body as well as the concept of meridians that affect the total health condition of the customer. On a chart presenting the meridians, it describes the chi flow directions as a unique energy system running on the whole body depicting the twelve meridians. It is therefore claimed by Zen that a good knowledge of meditation is required in order to properly stimulate these energy points.
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