Shiatsu therapeutic

Shiatsu is an "art of japanese massage" based on traditional Chinese medicine.

Literally Shiatsu means pressure (atsu) finger (shi).

According to Oriental medicine, the human body is like an electrical circuit. To function properly, the life energy must flow freely. If blocking of this circuit, the defence system is weakened and the illness shows up.

The goal of energy disciplines such as Shiatsu and acupuncture is to stimulate the capacity of self-healing.

To do this, the therapist will first carry out an energy balance of personalized patient and establishes a treatment strategy.

Then he applies a variety of techniques: the pressure of acupuncture points with fingers, palm, elbow, knee, muscle stretching and joint mobilization.

Shiatsu is a complementary medicine official in Japan where it is define since 1955 by the japanese Ministry of Health as follows: "Shiatsu is a form of manipulation that uses thumbs and palms of hands, without any mechanical device or another, which applies pressure on human skin, correct internal mal functioning, promote and maintain health and treat specific diseases".

At European level, it is one of eight recognized approaches as "unconventional medicine of interest", as well as acupuncture, osteopathy...(European Parliament resolution of May 29th 1997).

In case of the following conditions, Shiatsu proved to be help:

• Stress
• Headaches and migraines
• Fatigue
• Depression, malaise
• Emotional problems
• Sciatica, lunbago, back neck and shoulders pain
• Muscle and joint pain
• Digestive disorder: constipation, diarrhea, bloating
• Slepp disorders: isomnia, nightmares, sleepiness
• Female problem: menstrual cycle, menopause
• Pregnancy: post and pre natal
• Skin problem: herpes zoster, psiorasis, eczema
• Respiratory disease: asthma, allergy
• Dependencies: tobacco, alcohol, bulimia, anorexia

Shiatsu is not a substitute for visiting a doctor. It supports an approach to prevention and health maintenance.