Zen Shiatsu — Japanese Acupressure
A modernized form of the ancient Chinese art of acupressure, zen shiatsu takes its name from zen, a
Japanese word meaning "meditation" and shiatsu which means "finger pressure." It is sometimes referred to as "acupuncture without needles".
Zen shiatsu combines meditative exercises, joint rotations, stretches
and gentle pressure to unblock disrupted energy (qi) flow and stimulate
the body's innate healing. It eases and prevents a variety of aches and
pains, especially headaches, back pain and computer-related problems,
allergies, stress and menstrual problems. If done on a regular basis,
zen shiatsu can strengthen the immune system.
Diagnosis is done using the hands for gentle palpation of the abdomen (hara) or along the upper back. The zen shiatsu practitioner then uses fingers, palms, thumbs, forearms,
elbows, knees and feet in order to stretch meridians and apply pressure
to points.
Receivers are completely clothed, wearing loose comfortable clothing such as long
pants, a t-shirt and clean socks.
Shiatsu sessions are traditionally given
on a futon on the floor. However, they can just as easily be done on a
massage table, chair or bed with the client lying, sitting or standing.
Although shiatsu has its roots in Chinese medicine, the meridian system is different. In Chinese medicine some meridians are only in the upper body or the lower body and others run the length of the entire body. In shiatsu there is a symmetrical grid of channels that run vertically along the body.
Publication of Shizuto Masunaga's Zen Shiatsu in 1977 presented a comprehensive theory that was rooted with tradition and yet included scientific knowledge.
Tui Na — Chinese bodywork
Translated literally as “push grasp”, tui na is a traditional Chinese manipulative therapy that has evolved over the past two thousand years. The massage-like techniques range from light stroking to deep-tissue work to regulate and balance the body by stimulating acupuncture points and meridians.
Practitioners primarily use their hands, fingers, palms and forearms to press, tap, and knead the bod to remove blockages along the meridians and stimulate the flow of qi and blood to promote healing.
Tui na works by balancing the body's yin and yang; regulating the function of channels and collaterals, qi, and blood; recovering the function of tendons, bones and joints. From a biomedical point of view, tui na affects blood circulation and blood flow, influences blood components, affects the function of internal organs and promotes the recover of soft tissue injuries.
Common tui na techniques are pressing (an fa), pushing (tui fa), pushing back and forth (tui lu fa) pressing (an fa), rubbing (mo fa), kneading (circular pressing) (rou fa), and grasping (na fa).
Tui na is primarily done to strengthen a weak constitution or reduce excess conditions through reinforcing or reducing techniques, respectively.
Reinforcing techniques promote and strengthen body functions. They are usually done gently and slowly with less stimulation for longer periods of time. The pressure is sent in the direction of meridian energy flow.
Reducing techniques restrain and/or sedate excess and expel pathogenic factors. Stimulation is relatively intense, faster and quicker for a shorter period of time and the direction of manipulation is against the direction of meridian energy flow.
