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Shiatsu is a Japanese physical therapy that evolves from 5,000 year old Chinese healing practices which promote the body's own healing ability. It focuses on the prevention of disease. Sometimes it is defined as oriental massage but it is much more. The touch from shiatsu is more nurturing than massage.

Shiatsu acts on the "ki" (chi, prana) or life essence which maintains and nurtures our physical body, mind and spirit. The human body is a field of continually moving energy circulating through cells, tissues, muscles and internal organs. Any type of "dis-ease" is a sign that the energy or ki is out of balance, one part of the body has an excess or too much ki while another part of the body is ki deficient.

Ki excess or stagnation can be caused by stress, over working, limited exercise, poor posture, trauma, lack of sleep or rest, low quality food, a polluted environment and negative emotions. Ki stagnation can be seen as the following symptoms:

lower back pain
neck/shoulder pain
sciatica
premenstrual syndrome
joint pain
headaches
insomnia
digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation)
fatigue
anxiety
irritability
high blood pressure
poor circulation

A shiatsu therapist is drawn to the areas that are lacking ki. A combination of techniques including gradual stretches and pressure, holding, rhythmic rotations and spinal manipulations are used to encourage he flow of ki back to the deficient area. The return of ki to the deficient or "kyo" areas will disperse the ki stagnations or "jitsu" areas.

From a western medical perspective a shiatsu session stimulates the circulation and flow of lymphatic fluid, releases toxins and deep seated tensions from the muscles, stimulates the hormonal system and the immune system and acts on the autonomic nervous system allowing the recipient to relax deeply and to get in touch with their body's own healing ability.

Shiatsu is an approved therapy in Japan and is gaining popularity as a complimentary therapy in the western world.