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Shiatsu is a Japanese form of acupressure bodywork that balances the life force energy, or chi, flowing through the body. Shiatsu works with the five-element theory of Chinese medical philosophy using hand and finger pressure along appropriate meridians (energy channels) of the body, and gentle stretches for the joints to facilitate the flow of chi.

Chinese medical philosophy believes that ill health is a result of chi either being blocked from flowing smoothly through the meridians of the body, or a deficiency or excess in the chi flow through the meridians. A shiatsu practitioner is able to assess which meridians have blockages, excesses, or deficiencies in the chi flow, and can develop a bodywork plan to correct the imbalances.

Shiatsu is excellent for a wide variety of health issues. It relieves chronic pain; assists in circulatory, respiratory and digestive issues; and eases headaches and migraines. Shiatsu is very helpful in addressing diseases that conventional Western medicine is unable to do much for, like multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also excellent in maintaining wellness because it improves the immune system. By keeping the chi flowing smoothly through the body, ailments and illnesses can be relieved and prevented.

The client wears loose, comfortable clothing and usually lies on a comfortable mat on the floor. Shiatsu can also be done on a massage table for those clients who prefer it. A shiatsu session generally lasts an hour. Clients leave a shiatsu session feeling deeply relaxed, but energized at the same time.

Written by Sue Coughtry, Licensed Massage Therapist and Shiatsu practitioner. She can be reached at suecoughtry@yahoo.com or through The Center for Integrative Health and Healing, Delmar, NY at www.cihh.net.