Massage is a common way to relieve stress, tiredness and muscle tension. Shiatsu is a unique Japanese style of massage which treats the same meridian system of the body used in acupuncture. Shiatsu, 'shi', meaning finger, and 'atsu', meaning pressure. The massage therapy aims at treating the common psychological and physical problems faced by people, by applying slight force on the pressure points. In this context, it can also be considered as the Japanese counterpart of 'acupressure', which is popular in China. The massage therapy can help treat depression, anxiety, nausea, stiffness, headaches, arthritis, cramps, and pulled muscles.
Below are some interesting diagrams with explanation where you can perform self massage with shiatsu system :
Do - in (self shiatsu!)
A fantastic self-treatment to release tension at the end of the day, or to energize yourself in the morning!
- Standing up, feet hips width apart, knees unlocked
- "Rain drops" over the top of your head , with your fingertips, keeping your wrists loose. Move your head around so your whole head gets a massage.
- Forward neck stretch : Tilt head forward and interlace your hands behind your occiput. Use the weight of your hands to get more of a stretch.
- Side neck stretch : still looking ahead, tilt your head to the right side, and place your right hand over your head. Use the weight of your hand to get more of a stretch, whilst reaching away with your left hand. Same other side.
- Shoulder massage : tilt your head to the right, and apply loose fists / karate chops on top of left shoulder.
- Loose fists down the inside of arms, and up the outside , to encourage the flow of energy in the 3 yin (inner) arm meridians and the 3 yang (outer) arm meridians. A couple of times on each arm.
- Repeat other side
- Shake out your arms and sigh loudly!
- Loose fists on chest and around ribcage
- Gentle loose fists down muscles of lower back
- Rub sacrum with knuckles , moving your body up and down.
- Fists on buttocks (can take a lot of pressure!)
- Fists down outer sides of legs and up inside of the legs , to encourage flow of energy in the 3 yang (outer) leg meridians and 3 yin (inner) leg meridians.
- Shake out legs and arms !
Benefits of Shiatsu Massage :
- Deep muscle and tissue relaxation
- Stress reduction and management
- Releases toxins from the body
- Disease preventative
- Increased flexibility
- Improved blood circulations
- Reduces blood pressure
- Reduces mental anxieties
- Balances ki (chi)
- Calms nervousness
- Increases mental and spiritual awareness
- It feels good!
