Shiatsu

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Shiatsu (指圧 Japanese from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure) - is a hands-on therapy technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu is an evolving form. Various styles incorporate (to differing degrees) aspects of Japanese massage traditions, Chinese Medicine practice, and "western" anatomy & physiology.

Contents

[edit] History of Shiatsu

Shiatsu, as well as Teate, originated in Japan. There were many hands-on therapies called “Teate” before traditional Chinese therapies such as Acupuncture and Tuina were introduced to Japan. Conflicting reports exist as to the date of the first use of the word “Shiatsu”. However, it was undoubtedly Tokujiro Namikoshi who founded the Japan Shiatsu College in 1940 and established and systematized Shiatsu Therapy. At the age of seven, Tokujiro Namikoshi developed a technique of pressing using his thumbs and palms as he tried to nurse his mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. He called the technique “Pressure Therapy” at first but later renamed it “Shiatsu Therapy”. He treated many high profile persons such as former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida and other successive Prime Ministers, the Prosecutor for the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, Prosecutor Keenan, as well as celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali. In this way, Shiatsu became known not only in Japan but also overseas. The Japan Shiatsu College has produced many graduates who participate actively worldwide and who have devised their own Shiatsu styles. These styles are derived from the original Shiatsu of Namikoshi and collectively termed Derivative Shiatsu. For example, Tadashi Izawa established Meridian Shiatsu, incorporating Meridian Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine into his Shiatsu therapy. Shizuto Masunaga’s book, called Zen Shiatsu in English, popularized Zen (or Masunaga) Shiatsu in North America and Europe. Ryukyu Endo, a Buddhist priest, introduced Tao Shiatsu, which involves concentrating the mind and making supplications to the Buddha. Kiyoshi Ikenaga, in his book Tsubo Shiatsu, elucidates from an anatomical and physiological point of view, how meridian points (or Tsubo) are useful in Shiatsu Therapy. The Japanese word “Shiatsu” is known all around the world. In the English translation, this unique, originally Japanese, hands-on therapy is also called “Shiatsu.”

[edit] Time Line

  • 1912 Namikoshi first used his technique on his ailing mother.
  • 1919 Namikoshi found the term Shiatsu and decided to use it to describe his therapy.
  • 1925 Namakoshi opened his first clinic for Shiatsu Therapy.
  • 1940 Namakoshi opened the first school of Shiatsu Therapy in Tokyo.(Now this school is known as the Japan Shiatsu College)
  • 1953 Namakoshi and his sons introduce Shiatsu Therapy to the USA, Dr. B.J. Palmer, father of Chiropractic medicine.
  • 1955 Shiatsu Therapy first recognized by Japanese government but only in conjunction with amma and massage.
  • 1957 Shiatsu Therapy officially recognized by Japan as a separate and distinct therapy.
  • 1964 Shiatsu officially defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan.
  • 1970 Masunaga's students teaching in America and Britain, most notably Pauline Sasaki and Wataru Ohashi
  • 1979 Shiatsu Society in UK formed

[edit] Definition of Shiatsu

"Shiatsu technique refers to the use of fingers and palm of one's hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body, and for maintaining and promoting health. It is also a method contributing to the healing of specific illnesses."

Japanese medical department of the Ministry of Welfare (Current Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) in December 1957

[edit] Essence of Shiatsu

The characteristic of Shiatsu is to practice using only the fingers, palms and especially the thumbs, but the essence of Shiatsu is “Diagnosis and Therapy combined.”

“Diagnosis and Therapy combined” is the ability of the practitioner to use his sensory organs (palms, fingers and thumbs) to detect irregularities, such as stiffness of the surface of the body, and to promptly correct or heal these problems. To acquire this amazing skill takes considerable experience. The defining difference between Shiatsu therapy and modern and Kampo medicine (also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture and moxibustion) is this “Diagnosis and Therapy combined”; the fact that Shiatsu does not always require previous diagnosis before commencing treatment.

In modern medicine, the course of treatment can only be decided after a diagnosis has been made. In TCM, it is also necessary to diagnose before treating. In Shiatsu Therapy, practitioners promote the prevention and recovery of illnesses by stimulating the immune system and natural healing power that people already possess. Therefore, even without a diagnosis or with a language barrier, practitioners can, to quote Tokujiro Namikoshi , treat patients with “thumbs and thin futon” at any time. Treating the body as a whole helps to restore the physical functions of the nervous system, circulatory system, bone structure, muscles, and internal secretion and stimulates its natural ability to heal illness. That being said, skilled practitioners can contribute considerably to regional health and medical treatment.

[edit] Shiatsu Standardization

Shiatsu originated in Japan and has migrated to many corners of the Earth. As such, every nation and state has devised its own method of certification and licensure, often overlapping with the licenses for massage.

In the US, one professional organization for Asian Bodywork Therapy (including Shiatsu) is the AOBTA (American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia). This organization is seeking statewide standardization of Asian Bodywork licensure requirements. To date, the AOBTA has been named specifically in the licensure laws of Illinois and Washington, DC. The AOBTA is also working with the NCCAOM (National Certification Council for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), to introduce mandatory, standardized national board certification to the profession.

The AOBTA and NCCAOM require applicants to present a portfolio of training including Anatomy & Physiology, Chinese Medicine, student clinic, primary discipline training, and elective coursework.

"Shiatsupractor" is the name given to a recently proposed international standardized Shiatsu license. The name Shiatsupractor was first used in British Columbia, Canada in 1990’s. Presently, at the end of 2003, in the regions of North America (United States and Canada), Europe (member nations of the EU), and Japan, the use of Shiatsupractor is officially protected as a registered trademark. In Japan, the educational standard for Shiatsupractor approval corresponds to that of the licenses for Anma, Massage and Shiatsu Practitioners.

[edit] Indications and Contraindications

Shiatsu is an Alternative and/or Preventive Medicine. Shiatsu practitioners must have knowledge of medical foundations and clinical experience in order to develop a treatment plan.[citation needed] The following are some examples of conditions which will be improved and/or prevented by receiving Shiatsu Therapy.

Indications

Nervous system disorder E.g.: neuralgia, paralysis, convulsions, stroke recovery, polio, insomnia

Dyskinesia E.g.: rheumatoid arthritis, muscle aches, muscular atrophy, myositis, tendonitis, adhesion ablation, joint deformation, recovery of broken bones, dislocations and sprains

Digestive system disorder E.g.: gastroptosis, chronic gastritis, gastro-intestine atony, chronic enteritis, chronic constipation

Circulatory system disorder E.g.: heart neurosis, hyperemia, congestion, anemia

Urinary organ & reproductive organ disorder E.g.: paralysis, bladder convulsions, cystitis, mammary gland disorder

Metabolism disorder E.g.:　gout, beriberi

Fatigue recovery & Rehabilitation E.g.:　depending on the condition,


It may be necessary to follow a Medical Doctor's diagnosis and/or advice for the treatments.


Contraindications

Acute disorder E.g.: acute disease with fever、acute communicable disease

Malignant tumour E.g.: cancer, sarcoma

Acute poisoning E.g.: snake poison, insect poison

Acute inflammation E.g.: peritonitis, appendicitis

Bleeding disease E.g.: hemoptysis, bloody vomit, right after cerebral hemorrage

Trauma E.g.: wounds, broken bones, right after dislocation

Serious internal organ disease E.g.: chronic valvular disease, nephritis

Vessel disease E.g.: aneurysm, serious arteriosclerosis

Ulcer E.g.: gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer

Tuberculosis E.g.: pulmonary tuberculosis, back bone carie

Venereal disease, suppuration disease E.g.: syphilis, gonorrhea


From the Shiatsu Guidelines issued by the Oriental Medical School Association under the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan

[edit] Other Related Therapies

[edit] External links

1997 by Bernard BOUHERET, a kinesitherapist who studied with Soke Ryuho Okuyama (1902-1983)in Japan, and graduated as a teacher in Master Okuyama's HAKKO RYU School. Bernard BOUHERET teaches SEI SHIATSU DO (Sincere Heart's Shiatsu), deep rooted in the martial origins of this art.

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