Shiatsu is a form of bodywork, which uses hand pressure and
manipulative techniques to eliminate energy imbalances within organ
systems and maintain health. Shiatsu is a Japanese word “shi” means
finger and “atsu” means pressure. The practice of shiatsu is
characterized by its great simplicity and to an untrained observer it
may appear as though very little is happening. During a shiatsu
session the practitioner stimulates various pressure points on the
body with his or her hands or thumb. They may also include applying
pressure with the elbows or a simple rotation of a limb. While it
appears as though little is happening on a physical level there is a
lot happening internally to the body’s energy. The traditional
Japanese word ki is used to describe the bodys vital energy. In
Oriental medicine, harmony of ki within the human body is essential
to health. As the shiatsu practitioner stimulates points on the body
it opens energy pathways and moves stagnant ki. When Ki become
sluggish it can manifest into a physical imbalance so by stimulating
ki it prevents physical symptoms. Research has shown that shiatsu is
helpful in relieving back pain and muscle tension, as well as
improving sleep patterns.

Early practitioners of Shiatsu had the creativity and integrity to
develop their own styles. Some styles concentrate on acupressure
points, others emphasize on the five-element approach or another
aspect of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupressure Shiatsu focuses
specifically upon acupuncture points. Five Element Style Shiatsu
relies mainly upon the Five Element theory of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, especially in relation to the emotions, and incorporates
some macrobiotic principles. Macrobiotic Shiatsu incorporates the
acupuncture meridians. Nippon Style Shiatsu places great emphasis on
Western physiology, but with the addition of Chinese medical theory
and the classical energy channels. Zen Shiatsu uses tonification and
sedation principals, an extended energy channel system, and a
condensed synthesis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western
physiology and psychology. Oha Shiatsu incorporates aspects of Zen
Shiatsu, and the use of classical acupoints and channels. The styles
of shiatsu may vary but ultimately the effectiveness depends upon the
attitude, proficiency and attunement of the practitioner.

Tokojiro Namikoshi developed the Namaikoshi Shiatsu style and has
helped establish shiatsu as an international therapy. Tokujiro
Namikoshi was born on November 3, 1905 on the Japanese Island of
Shikoku. When Namikoshi was 7 years old he and his family moved to
the northern Island of Hokkaido, which had a much cooler climate.
Once there, Namikoshi’s mother began suffering from what is known
today as rheumatoid arthritis. To alleviate the growing pain
Namikoshi began stroking and pressing the painful parts of her body.
This reduced his mother’s pain and allowed his hands to develop a
sensitivity to the condition of her body. Soon the young therapist
realized the greatest healing benefit was achieved when he pressed
the body 80% of the time and rubbed it 20%. In time he cured his
mother’s condition. This experience intrigued Namikoshi to study the
human body and eventually he systemized his thumb pressure into the
Namikoshi shiatsu method. In 1925 he opened the Shiatsu Institute of
Therapy on Hokkaido. In 1953 Master Tokujiro Namikoshi Sensei and his
son introduced shiatsu to North America when he taught the healing art
at the Palmer Chiropractic School in Iowa. Now shiatsu has become
internationally accepted as an effective natural healing art form
throughout the world, including Europe, Canada, Australia, and New
Zealand.

source: GCNM