Shiatsu - FAQ's

Shiatsu and massage have many similarities as many of the same techniques are used in both disciplines.

The first obvious difference is that Shiatsu is done over clothes and no oils are used to lubricate the skin. 

Massage are more direct, they are done to the client ie a knot in the shoulder whereas Shiatsu  is about seeing what arises and working with that.

In Shiatsu we work on a series of meridians and acupuncture points.

For me the main difference is the emotional holding in Shiatsu that is explicit and I have trained to be able to hold whatever arise from the treatment.

Shiatsu incorporates Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and 5 Element theory to help with understand a persons condition.

Yes. Shiatsu is done on a futon on the floor and there is a dialogue between the practitioner and client so that the level of a stretch for example doesn't go beyond the capacity that the client can take. 

I have trained for 9 years and take regular CPD to keep my skill level high.

here is a risk if underlying conditions aren't disclosed prior to the treatment for example a history of repeated disc bulges but again this is mitigated by proper communication prior to the treatment.

YES! I would have one weekly if I could they are amazing, but then I'm biased.

In Dr Bessel van der Klok "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" - He states that bodywork such as Shiatsu, yoga, dance craniosacral therapy and massage are great for dealing with the trauma in our lives because the body holds a memory of the trauma and it can be released during these treatments.​​

The honest answer is yes but most of the side effects are positive like feeling lighter or happier however you can have flu like symptoms flare up or feel tired as the body resets and processes the treatment.

The truth is it depends on what we are working with is it's a stuck shoulder or hip then it maybe stiff or sore the next day but that again depends on how deep and physical the treatment is.

If you come to me with depression or anxiety then you maybe feel a bit wobbly the next day and realistically with long term illness everything takes time.

At times yes Shiatsu can be painful there are certain points which are normally painful but I have a dialog with my clients so that I know what their threshold is and stop when asked.

Other times it feels amazing and there is a whole range of feeling and emotions that Shiatsu helps evoke.

​

​

There are many causes to back pain and each case has to be assessed to get the right treatment.

For example if you back pain is due to a recent slipped disc or disc bulge I would recommend you see a sports remedial body therapist.

If however you back pain is from sitting at a desk, mowing the lawn or other day to day activity then shiatsu massage will be a great help to you.

​​

​

Shiatsu can be a core part of a stress management treatment plan. Shiatsu is not only relaxing but it help with the underlying causes of stress as well as the