Shiatsu, meaning finger pressure, has its roots in ancient Oriental medicine and has evolved from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Anma, a traditional Japanese form of massage. Underlying Shiatsu is the philosophy that vital energy (Ki) flows throughout the body in energy pathways called meridians. For a variety of reasons, Ki can stop flowing freely causing one to feel unwell. Shiatsu uses touch to affect the flow of Ki in the meridians to bring about a state of wellbeing in the receiver.
There are many styles and forms of Shiatsu. I base my practice on Masunaga Zen Shiatsu.
Developed from Namikoshi Shiatsu by Shizuto Masunaga, this style is probably the most popular form of Shiatsu. It blends Anma with the traditional Chinese medicine concepts of Yin and Yang, Ki and Meridian theory and uses these methods to affect the flow of Ki to restore balance to the body. Masunaga extended the traditional network of acupuncture meridians to cover the whole body and used Five Element Theory which is a further classification of the types of Ki. He also devised a method of palpating the abdomen to diagnose the quality of Ki in the meridians and a theory of energy balance known as Kyo-Jitsu. Treatment involves working the whole length of the imbalanced meridian using two hands, rather than using specific points only. Advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle advice may also be given.
Also known as shiatsu massage, Namikoshi places more emphasis on physical techniques developed from Anma; using pressing and rubbing to specific areas of the body to assist healing. It draws on Western knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology and advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle is usually given. This style tends to downplay the significance of Yin and Yang, Ki and the Meridian System.
The link below will take you a short video introduction to to the practice of Shiatsu and Thai Massage.
Shiatsu in motion (video)