Shiatsu

Therapists: Ann Whiteing

What is Shiatsu?

In earlier days in China, a doctor wasn't paid to give treatment to ill people but to keep a person healthy. As soon as a person became ill, he got his treatment for free. The health care was basically preventive. There are 5 types of treatment: acupuncture, medicines and herbs, curving with stones, moxa and anma (massage). Shiatsu came from anma. It was recommended for people living in the center of the country, near to the yellow river. In this area the culture was most developed and people were doing more mental than physical work. The same can be said about us.
The Japanese took many things from Chinese culture to change and develop. So they did with anma and acupuncture and developed it into "shiatsu".

Shiatsu literally means fingerpressure. Natural body weight is used when pressure is applied on special points on the body. Through this pressure the energy flowing in the meridians is influenced. This energy is called chi.