Shiatsu History
Shiatsu is thought of as a development from acupuncture, dating back to 8000 BC, where stone needles were found at Neolithic sites in China. Early history of Chinese medicine mentioned the meridians, dating back to 206BC-220AD.
About 6th century AD, Chinese medicine was introduced to Japan. The Japanese refined this knowledge and created a technique called Ampuku, where the abdomen was massaged to diagnose and treat disease. The abdomen or Hara is an area that holds potent energy and is known as the’ Sea of Ki’ and of all activity.
About 300 years ago, doctors were required to study Japanese massage in order to understand and become familiar with the structure of the human body and its functions in terms of the meridian lines. This enabled them to accurately diagnose and administer Chinese herbal medicine and locate acupuncture points.
Later this ancient method was reduced to treating only simple problems and was used and associated with pleasure and relaxation. Recognition of shiatsu in Japan came about 100 years ago and grew popularity from the reported benefits. The shiatsu Therapist Association was formed in 1925 in Japan.
The Chinese believe that a type of disease is influenced by the geographical environment we are living in. Therefore different treatment ranging from Acupuncture, Moxi bustion, Shiatsu and Herbal medicine would be used accordingly.
In the U.K, doctors, nurses and other health professions have incorporated shiatsu into their range of projects within the health service. Shiatsu can now be found as a practice in most health centres.
Shiatsu Theory
Shiatsu promotes and maintains health by helping to correct internal imbalances, stabilising the functions of the body, maintaining bone and joint structure, retaining muscle function and stimulating circulation. It works on the physical, mental and emotional levels of a person and treats and prevents disease by viewing the person’s whole unique constitution.
Shiatsu looks at the cause of disease and looks for the pattern in the presenting illness, as well as treating the existing symptoms.
Shiatsu is translated as meaning ‘finger pressure’. Finger pressure and various other techniques are applied directly onto the meridians to facilitate the natural healing power of the body.
There are 12 meridian channels within the body; these correspond to the functions of the organs and our psychological processes.
Energy in Japan is called Ki. With healthy conditions, Ki flows through these meridian pathways in a balanced state, if there are abnormal functions of the internal organs, energy stagnates in the meridian producing disease.
The condition of Ki in the meridian is defined as Kyo or Jitsu; hidden or manifested energy. Kyo is our need and is essentially hidden and Jitsu is the visible manifestation of Kyo, appearing as a symptom or as an action that we take in order to satisfy this need and to bring back our balance. Through the treatment, the quality of the Ki within the meridians change and the symptoms associated with lack of flow gradually improve.
There are three important sources of shiatsu theory:
The five elements
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zen Shiatsu/ Masunaga
Zen shiatsu is the form that I studied and is a style created by Shizuto Masunaga. He was a professor of Psychology at a university and blended his knowledge of psychology, orthodox shiatsu, Taoist thought, the philosophical approach to Zen Buddhism and his own clinical experience with modern western physiology. Using both eastern and western methods to help prevent disease and facilitate healing.
Zen shiatsu works directly on the meridians and the experience of Ki and places a great interest on the specific affects of the meridians on the body, mind and emotions.
The five elements is a slightly different school of thought to Zen shiatsu and is a further description of energy that flows through cyclic transformations. It represents the 5 phases of Ki that forms and invigorates the universe. The human body, mind and spirit contain all five of these qualities. Disharmony of an element is passed onto the next in the creative cycle of the elements. The controlling cycle is the counterbalance force keeping the creative cycle stable.
Traditional Chinese medicine places a focus on the use of acupuncture points to help relieve symptoms.
It uses concepts of the Yin and Yang theory, where there is an understanding that all living things possess these two energies in equal balance. They continually intermingle and transform one into the other. They are inseparable and interdependent. Each organ possesses a Yin function and a Yang function and they are constantly working together to bring harmony. The receiver’s condition of symptoms is classified under the 8 conditions of Yin and Yang:
Yin/ Yang
Deficient/ Excess
Cold / Hot
Interior/ Exterior
TCM revolves around the 5 elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water and the 5 vital substances; Blood, Ki, Fluids, Essence and Spirit.
TCM observes the internal pathogens which create internal imbalances. These are known as the 7 emotions- prolonged Grief and sorrow, Joy, Pensiveness, Anger, Fear and Fright. External pathogenic factors relate to the seasons and it is believed that illness may also be caused by the outside influences. These are Wind, Heat, Damp, Dryness and Cold. Our diet, activity, sex and any habitual excesses may also have an affect on our health.
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