Shiatsu
Shiatsu (finger pressure) is a method of therapy which uses the thumbs, palms, elbows and knees to apply pressure to the body of the client. There are two major styles of Shiatsu: Namikoshi and Masunaga styles. Namikoshi style uses only the thumbs and has at its base only the philosophy of western medicine, having been developed chiefly after the war, when ties to tradition were not favoured by the governmental powers. Masunaga was a student of Namikosi, but also was a student of zen and more traditional medical practices. Masunaga added the use of palms, elbows and knees to treatment, as well as the system of points and meridians common to traditional chinese medicine, although his system was a little more complex that used by most acupuncturists.
Sustained vertical pressure is applied to the tissues of the body in order to stimulate a relaxation response in the muscles and to thereby realign structures and effect the funtioning of the internal organs. In a treatment the entire body is treated, although a skilled therapist will concentrate on catering to the individual contours, tensions and specific complaint area of the client.
As it is a modern art, there are many explanations as to how shiatsu works, depending on which system of theory one is more comfortable with. through allopathic (western) medicine, shiatsu works primarily through the stimulation of ganglial nerves in the parasympathetic nervous system. Sustained pressure leads to the activation of the parasympathetic, leading to deep relaxation. Areas of compensating and referred pain are treated along with the chief complaint area to ensure that the entire body (or the entore being) is brought into alignment.
From the point of view of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Shiatsu works primarily on distortions in the energetic flow of the client's body. All disease is created by these distortions. They come in two main forms: excess and deficiency (Jitsu and Kyo, respectively). Areas of excess are treated with repeated pressure until the stagnation is broken up. Deficient areas are treated with long holding, to draw attention (and chi or energy; there is an idiom in TCM "Chi follows yi". Yi is mind, so in other words, wherever the attention is placed, energy follows). By the correction of these distortions, the body's yin and yang (in and yo in japanese) are brought back into harmony and disease is abolished.
There are a number of complaints which can be effectively treated with shiatsu. They range from shoulder tension, to digestive complaints, to menstrual problems, to more serious problems like injuries, or chronic illness. there were even two gentlemen with parkinsons in my school clinic who claimed that nothing else worked as well.
As Shiatsu is unregulated in most countries, there are no standards to which therapists are held. It is always best to inquire as to the length of the training of a therapist, as this is a good indicator of their skill level. The maximum amount of training available in north america is 2200 hours, although many schools offer 1500 hour courses asnd even 400 hour courses as well.