What is Zen Shiatsu Therapy?
Shiatsu is very gentle, non-invasive and relaxing therapy that utilizes the Chinese Medicine meridian systems to keep you healthy. Each session is tailored to individual patient depends on the organ imbalance, but the ultimate goal is to balance any disharmony in the body and to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Shiatsu can help address many ailments and issues!
View the following videos for a visual example of a Zen Shiatsu Therapy Session.
How Can Zen Shiatsu Help?
“I’ve been in pain all over my body for five years after my surgery. Shiatsu [sessions with Martina] helped me become pain-free for days at a time. I’m surprised I have more energy and can move around more easily now! I’m even sleeping through the night.”–LK 67 years old
People who have experienced regular sessions of Zen Shiatsu Therapy report benefits in the following areas:
Immune-Related Conditions
- Allergies and Asthma
- Autoimmune Conditions
- Environmental Sensitivities
- Celiac Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Lupus
- Chronic Lyme Infection
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Shingles
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Viral Induced Chronic Fatigue
Relief From Physical Ailments and Pain
- Back Pain
- Digestive Disturbances
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Menstrual Discomfort
- Muscle and Joint Pain
- Muscular Tension
- Sinus Congestion
- Synovitis (joint pain and swelling)
Psychosomatic Conditions
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Overwhelming Emotional States
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias
- Post-Traumatic Stress
- Support in Grieving Process
- Unresolved Grief
What to Expect?
When you arrive at our clinic, we will ask you to fill out a brief intake form. This will help your practitioner get a better picture of your overall health. She/he may spend some time discussing any goals or specific issues you would like to address in the session. She/he may also have some questions regarding your medical history or the specific nature of any issues you may be experiencing.
During your shiatsu session you will wear soft, loose-fitting, clothing such as sweats or yoga clothes. The practitioner will ask you to lie down on a massage table or a futon. Depending on your specific situation, the practitioner will ask you to lie on your back, on your stomach, or in some cases on your side. If it is uncomfortable for you to lie flat, pillows and bolsters may be used to support sensitive areas such as the knees or ankles.
Once you are comfortable, the practitioner will use diagnostic methods to determine the current state of the energy in your body. Usually the practitioner will begin and end the session with hara (abdominal) diagnosis. All of the twelve meridians pass through the abdomen providing an ideal place to assess the energy of the whole body. Using both hands, the practitioner will gently touch the hara to get a sense of the meridians that are most kyo (deficient) and most jitsu (excessive). With this information, the practitioner can provide a treatment that is best suited for your needs.
The practitioner may use palms, fingers, or thumbs to treat the meridans. She/he will use leverage and her/his body weight rather than muscle strength to control the amount of pressure. This is safer for both the receiver and the practitioner and allows for a range of pressure from very light to very deep based on the receiver’s needs and preferences. The practitioner may check in with you to make sure that the amount of pressure feels right. During the session, feel free to let the practitioner know if you would prefer more or less pressure.
A treatment will address the whole body, with extra emphasis on resolving your primary complaint.
How To Prepare For Your Session
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Be well-hydrated. We have filtered water on-hand.
- Enjoy!