Click Here for ATMS Minimum Education Standards - Shiatsu
Shiatsu incorporates the use of a range of techniques to apply pressure to various parts of the body to stimulate a therapeutic effect. The pressure used may be firm or light, using not only thumbs but feet, elbows, knees and palms. This may be combined with stretches and techniques to improve joint mobility to give an all-over body treatment which aims at treating with a wholistic focus.
Oriental medicine maintains that health is dependent on all parts of the body and lifestyle being in balance.
The emphasis of Shiatsu is to reinforce or re-establish the body's ability to function harmoniously and stimulate the immune system to protect against disease. The aim is not only to alleviate the immediate condition, but to determine and treat the underlying cause. Oriental diagnostic skills are used to determine a suitable treatment protocol.
Shiatsu integrates meridian therapy, point selection, moxibustion, cupping and corrective exercises as part of the healing process. Treatment is carried out fully clothed, usually with the patient lying or sitting on a futon mat on the ground.
