Aberdeen's Holistic Health Clinic - established in 1997

To book an appointment call reception on: 01224 636378
 

What is Shiatsu ?

Shiatsu is based upon traditional Chinese Medicine so has a written history dating back over 4000 years.

Shiatsu is about working with energy called Qi in Chinese or Prana in yoga. To be alive means to have energy and in shiatsu we work with the energy of the body, the organs, the meridians and the mind to create a more balanced flow of it.

The Chinese noticed that problems with organs could be treated by pressure on certain points on the body and these points could be joined to form meridians. They also found associations between organ systems and other areas within the body. So, often a list of apparently dissimilar problems will make sense to someone practicing Chinese Medicine.

Meridians are lines of energy and the therapist is working actively with these energy flows to relieve any conditions you suffer from or to correct imbalances before they result in problems. Meridians and points are treated to help your body bring itself back into alignment and balance the flows of energy. 

For example imagine a meridian or energy line like a water pipe. Imagine the water pipe being blocked and you know that no water can flow through. In terms of shiatsu this means that where the pipe is blocked you may perceive pain and below the block you may perceive very little or a lack of warmth or energy. 

In shiatsu we unblock the stuck energy and allow it to flow as it naturally wants.

The therapist will help you to resolve difficulties at physical, emotional, mental or spiritual levels. Illness is seen as a symptom that has manifested itself in the body or mind and that symptom is like a call for help or a call for change. Depending on the degree of imbalance and the time the condition has lasted the amount of treatments required will vary. The aim is to return for treatments as infrequently as possible whilst maintaining the benefit. 

From the start Chinese medicine has had preventative care at the forefront of its aims and many people come for Shiatsu with this in mind.

What is involved in a treatment ?

There will be an initial consultation taking a medical history as well as information about current problems. 

The treatment is received generally lying fully clothed on a cotton futon at floor level on your front back and /or side. Occasionally when this is not possible the treatment is received in sitting position. 

An initial diagnosis of your energy is taken by a very light palpation of the abdomen; then palming and finger pressure are used to work the meridians indicated. 

Some points may be tender but feel better for the pressure. 

Each treatment lasts for 1 hour, including the initial consultation although you should leave time to relax afterwards. 

Advice on diet, lifestyle and exercise may be given to help the condition and speed your recovery. 

Who Can Benefit ?

Shiatsu treats a wide variety of conditions from stress to long term degenerative disease. 

The individual is the focus of treatment not the condition. Shiatsu makes an energetic diagnosis to form the basis of the treatment. 

Commonly treated conditions are:

• Muscular /skeletal,  menstrual difficulties, ME, Sciatica
• Back problems, migraines, asthma, digestive disorders
• Emotional or mental issues
• Depression, addictions low energy and insomnia. 

All age groups are treated from babies up.

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