International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine Zen Shiatsu – the Japanese Way of Acupuncture without Needles Opinion Opinion Shiatsu is an ancient non-invasive therapeutic technique, a comprehensive treatment system based on the same concepts Volume 6 Issue 3 - 2017 and roots with Chinese Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Spa manager, Certified massage therapist, Oriental Medicine MedicineAccording (TCM). to this theory, the human body and its internal Training Centre, Greece *Corresponding author: Theodoros Haralabidis, Spa organsThe functionimbalance with between the power our andmental, influence physical, of Chi emotional Energy. and spiritual world, is the reason that our body gets sick. What Shiatsu Training Centre, Greece, Tel: 30 22860 28011; manager, Certified massage therapist, Oriental Medicine does is, to restore this balance of energy in the body and bring a Email: harmony between these aspects of our life. Received: | Published: April 03, 2017 March 26, 2017 on the acupoints. Shiatsu is performed by finger pressure (instead of needles) How does Shiatsu work? Shiatsu was developed in Japan by combining a Chinese type Shiatsuenergy that for exists Common within theAilments recipient’s body. of massage, the Anma and Western physical therapy techniques. Shiatsu cannot be used for treating diseases, as for such cases The Shiatsu techniques include stretching, grip and inclination we must reach out to our doctor. of therapist’s body weight over many parts of the recipient’s body. However, what it can offer is The objective is to improve: i. To relieve from some symptoms, a. ii. To prevent and minimize some undesired evolution and b. The blood circulation The energy flow iii. c. To complement the treatment of some specific health d. The Posture of the body Pressure and contact is applied The flexibility and iv. professionalsUsually, some (ifof suchpermitted) discomfort cases are through v. e. hands vi. MentalStress and Physical fatigue, f. thumbs vii. Worry, g. viii. Insomnia, h. forearms fingers Back pain and sciatica, i. knees and ix. Period pains, j. feet asx. it can assist on strengthening the immune system as well. It is performed with the recipient in various positions such as supine, side, prone, sitting. The treatment focuses mainly along How is it performed? Shiatsu is done with the recipient wearing light and passes through. specific channels (“Meridians”) from where the body Chi energy comfortable cotton clothes, usually lying on a comfortable cotton Shiatsu is communication through touch. Shiatsu which meets will use some pillows under the recipient’s feet or hands, to cover theAlthough needs of theShiatsu recipient literally cannot means be achieved‘finger pressure’, only with the technical soul of theor futon gap mattressand absorb on theany floor. possible Usually, mechanical an experienced restoration therapist and skills and intellectual study. So that it will be effective, requires traction during the pressure. sensitivity so that we feel and influence positively the quality of Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Int J Complement Alt Med 2017, 6(3): 00187 Copyright: Zen Shiatsu – the Japanese Way of Acupuncture without Needles ©2017 Haralabidis 2/5 The position can be supine, prone, lateral or sitting. diagnosis. He/she will observe the whole picture of the patient, In TCM, the therapist will make a completely different and behaves, until the color of the patient’s urine, the tastes that prefersthe overall and external his/her appearance,emotional state. the way The the therapist patient will moves, try to speaks build a profile of the patient, which will consist of some “Syndromes disharmony.” The Oriental therapist, the Acupuncturist or the Shiatsu therapist is expected to treat this Disharmony and to restore it to Theits original Energy equilibrium Chi concept (state). Chi is the vital force that supports every activity of the human body, mind and spirit. According to the Chinese theory of Taoism, Chi is everywhere in the universe surrounding us. It is in the air we breathe, the food we eat, inside us as a legacy of our parents. There is continuous contact between the recipient and the The Chinese character for Chi suggests that it is something which, at the same time is material and intangible continuous physical, energy, and emotional communication in Shiatsu therapist, while the first relaxes and the second maintains energy healing technique! Steam,This clearly gas # shows (uncooked) that Chi rice can = Chi be as intangible as steam and a relaxed meditative atmosphere. Do not forget that this is an so dense material as rice. It also shows that, Chi is a thin element the therapist. Also, some stretches from the Western Physio or steam produced when the rice is cooked. Thumbs, elbows, fingers, forearms, feet pressure is used by (steam) coming from something concentrated (rice), such as Chi has been translated like many concepts, such are: Energy, WhenOriental it Yoga! can be performed? The fact that there is no need for the recipient to take off his/ Material Force, Matter, Ether, Material Energy, Life Force, Vital her clothes, like they do in a Deep Tissue massage, Shiatsu is Force, Vital Dynamic, and Moving Energy. suitable in any place or in any time of the day. The inability to be translated exactly stems from its nature of Provided there is appropriate peaceful atmosphere without taking various forms of expression. Chi nourishes the vital organs theof the word human blood body, written the with Blood a capital and other B. This Body is to Fluidsdistinguish and ourthe noises that distract our attention. No special equipment is required Mind. In Traditional Chinese Medicine bibliography you will see Whensuch as massageis Not Suitable oils, only tothe do expert Shiatsu hands of the therapist. from the Blood, one of the shapes Chi gets and one of the Vital difference between the red fluid of blood that runs in our veins Generally Shiatsu is a very safe technique. Here it holds the same with the other massage treatments. However, we would Forces.It is also responsible for all the processes of life, from conception, childbirth, to growth and death. areas. Such points are, four points which may cause miscarriage toavoid a pregnant just to presswoman on orsome undesired points prematureor localy on birth some and specific some points contraindicated in some people with hypertension or to form‘Chi produces the human the body.human When body, the exactly ice melts like the is waterwater. becomes When a ice. As the water freezes (and becomes ice) so Chi coagulates edema, trauma, varicose veins or pimples. hypotension. Also, we never press points with inflammation, person dies, becomes spirit (Shen) again. It is called spirit, just medical history from the client and then will go through the like molten ice is changing its name to water. ‘Wag Chong (Chinese ShiatsuAn experienced session. professional therapist will first take a short Thephilosopher Elements during Yin the Han&Yang Dynasty, AD 27-97) Traditional Chinese Medicine – Some Basic Terms in Chinese medicine, which is completely different from any Western.It is the Therefore, oldest (700 according BC) and to significant this theory, philosophical everything theoryin life, howOne this to ancient understand Chinese how system Shiatsu treats works, the first disease. should In considerWestern the core of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), in other words every phenomenon can be exactly what it is, and also it’s opposite. and will try to minimize or eliminate them completely. Also, the Yin element contains within it the seed of Yang and the Medicine, a doctor will deal more with the effects of the disease Yang Element contains within it the seed of Yin Element. Citation: 10.15406/ijcam.2017.06.00187 Haralabidis T (2017) Zen Shiatsu – the Japanese Way of Acupuncture without Needles. Int J Complement Alt Med 6(3): 00187. DOI: Copyright: Zen Shiatsu – the Japanese Way of Acupuncture without Needles ©2017 Haralabidis 3/5 Each element complements and supports each other. They are to night progressively, there is time of day that contains little two phases in a circular motion. For example, the day alternates dark and there is time of night that contains light in it. Like the Five Elements, so Yin-Yang have some specific characteristics, qualities, properties. Some of them are Light-Dark, Motion-Rest, Material and Intangible, Energy- Matter, Water-Fire, etc. andYin-Yang relationship, keeps which under when its powerthey are and violated controls a disharmony some internal and Shiatsu practioners puts pressure or the acupuncturist’s needles. imbalanceorgans. Between is occurred them to there human are organs some principles and body. of co-existence TheOver points the are Channels numerous there and are located specific on orpoints, near veins,on which arteries, the tendons, nerves. And no, I am afraid they are not the points The 5 Elements of the lymphatic system, as some health professional’s claim, Western mindset of conventional medicine! This is an ancient Theory (1000 -770 BC), that together with rationalizing the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine with The points in Japanese are called Tsubo and these in turn have the Yin-Yang theory they are the basis of Traditional Chinese names. In Chinese, for some of the points are used somewhat Medicine. The term has been used by ancient Greek philosophers, Air-Fire-Earth-Water, roots, elements, primordial bodies, etc. In fact, it is about five processes, five qualities; five stages of a cycle Englishpoetic names we use suchthe name as “Gate of the of Channel Life/Mingmen”, belonging forpoint some numbered, others or alternating phenomena. The 5 Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, suchquite as illustrative Du -4 and names Spleen-6 as “Intersectionrespectively for of the3 Yin previous / Sanyinjiao”. two. In Metal and Water. pressed, actions that it does, and sometimes contraindications. Each point has specific functions, techniques by which is So, one point can strengthen an internal organ or Yin or Yang and other point can calm or descent the Chi.