What is Shiatsu?
In Japanese, Shiatsu means “finger pressure”.
This type of alternative medicine draws concepts from Traditional Chinese Medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy throughout the body known as Qi (pronounced Chee”). By using pressure with the fingers or the palms of the hand, the therapist can follow energetic pathways, known as Meridians, to improve the flow of Qi. Stretching, and other massage techniques, can also be incorporated. It is used to help facilitate relaxation, stress, circulation, nausea, anxiety, depression and muscle pain. It was invented by Tokujiro Namikoshi (1905-2000) who established the first Shiatsu college in 1940.