Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Shiatsu massage therapy - How does acupressure differ from modern Western massage?

Shiatsu and Western massage have something in common. Both systems are a good way to relieve stress and promote health, focusing on the body of the person being treated. In addition, any system uses any complex electronic or mechanical machine in the diagnosis or implementation of a treatment. The third thing in common is that shiatsu massage and massage are classified as a bastion of Western medicine in most parts of the Western world, based on the current Western mainstream scientific tradition. Outside of Japan, Shiatsu and Western massage share the field of non-traditional or alternative medicine, including treatment, aura, hypnosis or crystal treatment.

Acupressure practitioners tend to demonstrate their use of anatomical, physiological, and pathological methods in the same way as Western medicine, away from the trend of alternative treatments such as aura or belief therapy. This may be one of the most popular explanations for the West's bridge between the West and the East.

When we explored the difference between Shiatsu and Western massage, we noticed four major differences.

  1. The historical evolution of treatment.
  2. The techniques and therapeutic ingredients used.
  3. Every practitioner is trying to capture the philosophy behind the methods and essence.
  4. The nature of the derived systems that have emerged.

Body massage is probably one of the oldest medical forms known to man. Although we may not know the true beliefs of the ancient Egyptian practitioners, the Egyptian tomb paintings show that people are massaging. a Chinese book of 2700 BC, The classic internal medicine of the Yellow Emperor, from

 It is recommended to massage the skin and muscles as a suitable method for treating many diseases. Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old traditional Indian medical system that greatly emphasizes the therapeutic effects of aromatic oils and aromatherapy. Greek Homer wrote in the 8th century BC, mentioning that massage is also often used in Olympic athletes, just like today.

1. The history and evolution of acupressure

Although the earliest modern reference to acupressure in publications may be the Japanese book of 1915, ShiatsuRyöhö from

 Written by Tenpaku Tamai, fans of Tokujiro Namikoshi [1905-2000] think he is the founder of Shiatsu. His approach is completely different from Chinese meridian or gas-based therapies. In 1912, 7-year-old Namikoshi developed a technique of pressing with his thumb and palm as he tried to feed his mother with rheumatoid arthritis. Namikoshi's influence on finger pressure can be compared to Picasso's role in art, because he not only created an important genre, but also became the inspiration for many other devotees of derivative therapies.

Tokujiro Namikoshi opened his first Shiatsu therapy clinic in Hokkaido in 1925, using his sophisticated system. In addition to discovering Tokyo's first acupressure therapy school [now known as the Japanese Shiatsu Academy] in 1940, Namikoshi also participated in the recognition of Japanese acupressure law, which may be his emphasis on Western medical theory. Namikoshi became famous and successfully treated many high-ranking people, such as former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshida. With his reputation spread to foreign celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali bought his treatment. Currently in Japan, Namikoshi's system enjoys a special legal status. Since 1947, after eight years of clinical investigation to determine that 300 treatments can be legalized, the Japanese Ministry of Health recognizes Shiatsu therapy because it has proven to be effective. In 1955, Shiatsu massage was in the same category as Anma and Western Massage.

In 1964, Shiatsu was considered an independent treatment in Japan. Everyone who performs a Shiatsu massage in Japan should be licensed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The permit also requires a shiatsu masseur to study a 2,500-hour shiatsu therapy program at a university or college authorized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and pass the national exam.

2. Techniques and therapeutic ingredients used

The second difference between Shiatsu and Western massage is the technique and use of ingredients such as oil and spices. Acupressure techniques rely on finger and palm pressure, while Western massage uses frictional motion. Since finger pressure does not involve friction, no oil or emulsion is used during treatment.

3. Western massage philosophy and Shiatsu massage

The third major difference comes from the philosophy behind Western massage and Shiatsu massage.

The main difference between shiatsu massage and other modern Western body forms [such as Swedish massage] is that shiatsu massage is a form of holistic treatment, while modern Western massage is based on traditional Western health and treatment perspectives. Western massage usually considers the human body to be the field of masseurs, while the mind is the field of psychology and psychiatry. Shiatsu uses a holistic approach to modulate the nervous system and promote natural healing by stimulating chemical reactions in the body.

Western massage is based on muscle tension and incorrect alignment that can cause or exacerbate physical, mental and internal imbalances. Massage techniques try to reduce tension in the body and promote the free flow of blood and energy. This in turn allows the body's main systems [immunization, circulation, nerves, etc.] to better cure the disease and promote health and well-being.

In Shiatsu massage, there are 838 basic acupressure points, or Atten in Japanese, located in muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, bones and endocrine glands. Depending on the physical condition, the therapist will apply the appropriate type of pressure. The tighter the muscle, the lighter the pressure. As the muscles relax, the pressure becomes deeper, but it is always firm and stable. This triggers the release of hormones and body chemicals to heal, soothe and maximize your body and mind. This method of triggering the body's own healing system does not produce side effects or toxins and is therefore a completely healthy way to alleviate the disease.

From a distance, the whole body view of Shiatsu massage can be confused with the gas or meridian map used in Chinese medicine. But Namikoshi Shiatsu practitioners quickly pointed out that Namikoshi's Shiatsu style only emphasizes areas based on anatomy and physiology rather than energy channels/passages/meridians. Shiatsu massage body [including stretching].

4. Derivative treatment

The last difference between Shiatsu and Western massage is the derivative. Derivative finger pressure usually refers to other current finger pressures, such as meridian finger pressure, Zen finger pressure, ceramic finger pressure, Tsubo acupressure, bridge and quantum finger pressure after a finger press performance. These derivative styles have not been recognized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan.

In Western massage, there are many styles and techniques that focus on specific areas of the body [for example, deep tissue massage, muscle massage, scalp massage, etc.]. However, Western massage can be roughly divided into three camps, sports massage, health massage and erotic massage. Sports massage is designed to keep athletes healthy and ensure excellent performance. Creating a certain type of atmosphere with candles, colors, incense or music is very important for healthy and erotic massage, but hardly exists in sports massage. Healthy massage camps exhibit the widest variety of different types of derived forms, such as aromatherapy, reflexology or deep tissue massage.

Sensual or erotic massage has become a derivative of traditional massage in the center of the world, but so far there is no sensuous or erotic acupressure therapy.

Shiatsu and Western massage do have something in common, but there are many differences in theory, philosophy, and practice. However, despite the differences, the goals of both systems are the same - a balanced, healthy and happy individual.

references:

  • Tokujiro Namikoshi, Japanese acupressure therapy from

     . Japanese Publishing House - [1974]
  • Tokujiro Namikoshi, SHIATSU; Healthy and energetic at your fingertips from

     Japanese Publishers - [1971]
  • Canadian Shiatsu Therapy College
  • Canadian Shiatsupractor Association




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