Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage. Unlike traditional massage Shiatsu is known as a static massage. Normal massage techniques, such as rolling and kneading, are used to relax tight areas. This is then followed by a series of stretches and pressing acupressure points along the body’s meridians. The aim of the massage is to relax, pamper and to balance the body’s energies.
Shiatsu is used for healing and assisting the body to function optimally. Blockages at acupoints hinder the flow of energy and thus create sickness or stop processes that should be taking place. The aim of the massage is to get the energy flowing as it should and thus assisting the body through the process of healing.
Religious or cultural?
Shiatsu massage is based on the cultural beliefs of the East. Eastern theory is that meridians exist in the body. These are pathways through which energy flows and as long as this is taking place the body functions optimally. Some people believe that these principals are religious in nature but this is not true. In fact, according to Dr Mehmet Oz (guest heart surgeon on the Oprah show) the meridians and acupoints have been scientifically proven to exist and their functions have been medically confirmed.
Shiatsu in pregnancy
Shiatsu can be used in pregnancy to
· Ease backache
· Relieve abdominal pain
· For problems with the amniotic fluid
· Anaemia
· Anxiety
· Breathlessness
· Carpel tunnel syndrome
· Colds and coughs
· Constipation
· Dizziness
· Fatigue
· Glucose in the urine and diabetes
· Haemorrhoids
· Heart burn
· Blood pressure problems
· Insomnia
· Leg cramps
· Pain and problems of joints and ligaments
· Nausea and morning sickness
· Oedema
· Induction
Shiatsu can also be used to assist the baby in utero when there is decreased foetal movement or to help the mother connect or reduce her anxiety about the baby. Shiatsu is also used to assist getting baby into an optimal position for natural labour.
Shiatsu for the post natal mother
· Abdominal after pains
· Bonding
· Constipation
· Depression
· Exhaustion
· Fever
· Lactation and breast problems (such as mastitis and blocked ducts)
Shiatsu for baby
Shiatsu can also be used to assist your the little one with complaints such as colic, eczema, sleeplessness and any form of birth trauma. Shiatsu can also be used if baby is reluctant to feed or has feeding problems.
Treatments
Treatments can either be done as full body relaxation or focused for a specific complaint. Where Where Shiatsu is used therapuetically more than one treatment may be needed.
A therapuetic massage lasts between 30 and 45 mins and costs R180.
A full body relaxation massage lasts between an hour and an hour and a half and costs R250.
For more details or to book please contact Laura Sayce on 083 301 2826 or lsayce@gmail.com.
