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| Category: Shiatsu Schools |
Date published: November 12, 2008 |
Bodywork Today: Shiatsu and the Modern Massage Therapist
by CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd
 Shiatsu is one of several, specialized massage modalities that has made leeway in the natural healing industry. Like many alternative medicine therapies, Shiatsu is one of the bodywork techniques, which is believed to be helpful as a complementary therapy for persons with cancer and other health problems.
By the time you are prepared to receive treatment; your Shiatsu therapist will have performed an evaluation of your physical health; including in-take of current medical prescriptions, and any physical conditions or ailments. The great aspect about Shiatsu is that you can remain fully clothed -- and you can receive treatment lying down or sitting up. In a common session, a Shiatsu therapist will begin treatment by touching your abdominal region (also known as "hara") to determine the body's energy levels. This also helps the practitioner to find out which parts of the body may need healing treatment.
Why Shiatsu?
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with practicing massage therapist and AOBTA certified graduate of the International School of Shiatsu, Gina Loree' Marks. Marks credited her awareness as playing a major role in deciding this lifetime career path, "Something told me that it would be wise to develop a usable and valuable skill that would be of use in any situation. And it specifically had to do with my hands." Though she had first received this treatment about two decades ago, it was after Marks took beginners' courses in the healing art that she discovered her love for the field, and knew that this was where she belonged. Marks chose the school primarily due to word of mouth (of the students) from whom she'd received prior Shiatsu treatment.
Though training and curriculum vary in massage therapy schools, Marks' comprehensive Shiatsu education included 640 training hours, with an additional 250 treatment reports. Completing her training in roughly two and one-half years, Marks found that she liked everything about the course. "I was coming from years spent being 'mom.' I was SO happy to be out doing 'adult' things, and because this was such a new experience for me-- 'beginner's mind', I suppose - I appreciated every minute of being there. Instructor egos, long hours, slogging through anatomy class... things, which a lot of my classmates complained about... none of it bothered me. All the teachers were so knowledgeable and humorous, with such varied approaches to offer. The first week I was there, I knew that was where I was supposed to be."
Who benefits from Shiatsu?
As a natural health therapy that is non-invasive and virtually free of negative side effects, Shiatsu is known to be effective in managing a vast number of chronic health conditions including musculoskeletal pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, whiplash, sleep disorders, digestive issues, PMS (premenstrual symptoms), CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, depression/anxiety, and more. Marks candidly explained that most of her patients responded positively to Shiatsu, "Ones who come with some knowledge of what shiatsu is about, or have had shiatsu elsewhere, really dig it and can make most of the work. Some people do come in without a clue, and if they are open to the work, they are amazed, or at least have some opinion on how differently this type of work reaches them. Some find muscle-based massage too broad or intense, while shiatsu would speak more subtly and address their underlying energetic and emotional needs. But then there are some who expect something a little more massage-y, and the session may not meet their expectations. As is true with any modality, different people respond differently. An overwhelming majority will leave very relaxed. A smaller group may notice how much more 'put back together' they feel."
Versatile Shiatsu
Based on her own experience and training, Marks explained that disciplines vary even within the healing art of shiatsu. While it is a unique type of energy healing bodywork, "it offers a few benefits in that it gives the practitioner a fresh new paradigm through which to view, and therefore, treat the human body," Marks continued, "Burn-out rates among massage therapists are very high, but I think that the way shiatsu is administered ensures the longevity of the practitioner's career. In fact, in my own experience, giving a treatment (which I do on a futon on the floor) has been great for my own health, flexibility and openness. It's a delicious two-way street!"
Educational Opportunities for Shiatsu
There are a number of Oriental medicine and massage schools that offer Shiatsu as part of their overall curricula; or as individual certificate courses. Depending on where you live and specific educational interests you have, you can review nearby Shiatsu programs by exploring your natural health career training options online or by visiting local practitioners and scheduling your personal shiatsu session. It's always a good idea to communicate with local and other educational facilities to determine which shiatsu program offers you the greatest variety and quality for the tuition. In some cases, a number of acupuncture and Oriental medicine colleges and schools might provide tuition assistance, as well as participation in State and federal financial aid programs. Additionally, many massage therapy courses that include shiatsu can often be taken through convenient schedules that are designed to accommodate busy lifestyles with day and evening courses, as well as full- and part-time coursework.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in learning more about Eastern massage therapies, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, Oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore Shiatsu Programs near you.
Source- CancerHelp UK, Cancer Research UK
- Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario
Bodywork Today: Shiatsu and the Modern Massage Therapist
©Copyright 2009
Media Positive Communications, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Former staff writer for HolisticJunction.com, Educational Resources for Healing Arts Schools, Natural Healing Schools, and other Alternative Medicine Schools.
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