Shiatsu originated in China at least 2000 years ago when, when the earliest accounts gave the causes of ailments and the remedies that that could be effected through a change of diet and the way of life. The use of massage and acupuncture was also recommended. The Japanese also were practitioners of this massage after it had been introduced into that country and it was known as anma. The therapy that is known today as shiatsu has evolved with time from anma under influences from both the East and the West. It is only recently that it has gained full recognition and popularity, with people becoming aware of its existence and its benefits.

Although East and West have different viewpoints on health and life these can complement each other. The Eastern belief is of a primary flow of energy throughout the body, which runs along certain channels that are known as meridians. It is also believed that this energy exists throughout the universe and that all living creatures are dependent upon it as much as on physical nourishment. The energy is known by three similar names, ki, chi and prana in Japan, China and India respectively. As in acupuncture, there are certain pressure points on the meridians that relate to certain organs and these points are known as tsubos.

Shiatsu can be used to treat a number of minor problems such as insomnia, headaches, anxiety and back pain. Western medicine may be unable to find a physical cause for a problem and although some pain relief may be provided, the underlying cause of the problem may not be cured. It is possible that one session of shiatsu may be sufficient to remedy the problem by stimulating the flow of energy along the channels. Implementing an exercise regime with a change of diet and lifestyle may also be recommended. Shiatsu can encourage a general feeling of good health in the whole person and not just in the physical sense.

There are believed to be a number of auras or energy layers that surround the physical body and can be detected or appreciated. The first layer which is known as the etheric body and is the most dense, is connected with the body and the way that it works. The astral body is much wider and is affected by people's feelings. If it is detected by a clairvoyant it is said to change its shape and colour depending on the feelings being experienced. The next aura is the mental body which is involved with the thought processes and the intelligence of a person. Similarly, this can also be detected by a clairvoyant and is said to contain 'pictures' of ideas emanating from the person. These first three auras comprise the personality of a person. The last aura is known as the casual body, soul or higher self and is concerned more with perceptive feelings and comprehension. It is believed in reincarnation that the first three auras die with the body but the casual body carries on its process of development by adopting another personality. As a person grows in maturity and awareness, these different auras are used and energy is passed from one layer to another. It therefore follows from this that any alteration in the physical state will, in turn, affect the other layers and vice versa.

It is believed that there are seven main chakras (centre of energy) found in a midline down the body, from the top of the head to the bottom of the torso. They are situated along the sushumna, or spiritual channel, which runs from the crown of the head to the base of the trunk. Energy enters the channel from both ends. Since the flow is most efficient when the back is straight, this is the ideal posture for meditation or when powers of concentration are required. Each chakra has a component of each aura and it comprises what is known as a centre of concentration. Each aura is activated as a person develops and the same applies to the chakras, starting with the lowest and progressing to the others with time. There is also a change of energy between the auras of each chakra.

The crown chakra is concerned with the pineal gland, which controls the right eye and upper brain and affects spiritual matters. The ajna, brow or forehead chakra, also known as the Third Eye, is linked with the pituitary gland, which controls the left eye, lower brain, nose and nervous system. It has an effect on the intellect, perception, intuition and comprehension. The throat or expressive chakra is concerned with the thyroid gland and governs the lymphatic system, hands, arms, shoulders, mouth, vocal chords, lungs and throat. It affects communication, creativity and self expression. The heart chakra is concerned with the thymus gland and controls the heart, breasts, vagus nerve and circulatory system and affects self awareness, love, humanitarian acts and compassion. The solar plexus or personality chakra is concerned with the pancreas. It controls the spleen, gall bladder, kidneys, liver and digestive system and stomach and has an effect on desire, personal power and the origins of emotions. The sacral or sexual chakra affects the gonads and controls the lower back, feet, legs and reproductive system. This affects physical, sexual and mental energy, relationships and self worth. The base or root chakra is concerned with the adrenal glands. It controls the skeleton, parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system, bladder and kidneys and affects reproduction and the physical will. As an example of this, if a person is suffering from an ailment of the throat, it is possible that he or she will not be able to voice private thoughts and feelings.

According to traditional Eastern therapies, organs have a dual function – physical and energetic functions. The twelve organs are split into two groups that are known as zang and fu.

Zang organs are for energy storage and the fu organs produce energy from sustenance and drink and also control excretion. The organs can be listed in pairs, each zang matched by a fu with a similar function. Although the pancreas is not specifically mentioned, it is usually included with the spleen. The same applies to the 'triple heater', which is connected to the solar plexus, lower abdomen and thorax. The lungs are a zang organ and are concerned with the assimilation of energy, or ki from the air, which with energy from food ensures the complete body is fed and that mental alertness and a positive attitude are maintained. This is paired with the fu organ of the large intestine, which takes sustenance from the small intestine, absorbs necessary liquids and excretes waste material via the faeces. It is also concerned with self confidence. The spleen is a zang organ and changes energy or ki from food into energy that is needed by the body. It is concerned with the mental functions of thinking, concentration and analysing. This is paired with the fu organ of the stomach, which prepares food so that the nutrients can be extracted and also any energy or ki can be taken. The zang organ of the heart assists blood formation from ki and controls the flow of blood and the blood vessels. It is where the mind is housed and therefore affects awareness, belief, long term memory and feelings. This is paired with the fu organ of the small intestine, which divides food into necessary and unnecessary parts, the latter passing to the large intestine. It is also concerned with the making of decisions. The kidneys are a zang organ and they produce basic energy, or ki for the other five paired organs and also for reproduction, birth, development and maturity. They also sustain the skeleton and brain and provide willpower and 'get up and go'. They are paired with the fu organ of the bladder which stores waste fluids until they are passed as urine and also gives strength or courage. The zang organ of the 'heart governor' is concerned with the flow of blood throughout the body. It is a protector and help for the heart and has a bearing on relationships with other people. This is paired with the 'triple heater' which passes ki around the body and allows an emotional exchange with others. The liver is the sixth zang organ and it assists with a regular flow of ki to achieve the most favourable physiological effects and emotional calmness. Positive feelings, humour, planning and creativity are also connected with it. The gall bladder is the sixth fu organ, with which the liver is paired and this keeps bile from the liver and passes it to the intestines. It concerns decision making and forward thinking.

The meridians are a system of invisible channels along the back and the front of the body along which energy or ki flows. There are twelve principal meridians plus two additional ones, which are called the governing vessel and the conception or directing vessel. Each meridian passes partly through the body and partly along the skin, joining various chakras and organs. One end of every meridian is below the skin while the other is on the surface of the skin on the feet or hands. Along each meridian are acupressure or acupuncture points, which in shiatsu are called tsubos. These points allow the flow of energy along the meridian to be altered if necessary. The meridians receive energy from the chakras and organs, from the meridians with ends located on the feet and hands and also via the pressure points, or tsubos. Energy, or ki can pass from one meridian into another as there is a 'pathway' linking each meridian to two others. The energy passes in a continuous cycle or flow and in a set order from one meridian to another. By working on the meridians and particularly the pressure points, a number of beneficial effects can be achieved with problems such as muscle tension, backache and headache. Since the flow of energy is stimulated by working on the meridian this will in turn affect the joints, muscles and skin and thereby ease these complaints. Since a person's mental state, feelings and moods are also altered by the flow of energy, this can induce a more positive frame of mind.

A person in good health should have a constant flow of ki, with no concentrations or imbalances in any part of the body. It is believed that the greater the amount of ki there is within a body, the greater the vitality, mental alertness and overall awareness that person will possess.

This article is an introduction to Shiatsu. It describes the benefits the practice of Shiatsu will bring to the health and well being of men and women.

 

Source: http://www.healthandyou.org