Harmonizing shiatsu

Shiatsu is a traditional Oriental technique dating back thousands of years, involving finger pressure. It can fight against headaches, especially those brought on by stress.

+ Shiatsu is a technique that originated in Oriental medicine, using finger pressure to treat the meridian channels in the body to put our chi or life energy into balance. This treatment is recommended for treating stress and can also be beneficial for headaches, neck and shoulder pains.

The technique gathers the excess of energy found in some areas of the body and redistributes this energy where it is most needed, to correct internal imbalances.

In general this massage is practiced on the floor, using a padded exercise or wicker mat. The massage practitioner not only uses the fingers and palms of the hands, but also the elbows, knees and feet to apply pressure to the skin and muscles on key points, to relieve and correct imbalances, eliminate tension and to stimulate the body's ability to self-cure ailments. When a holistic therapist uses shiatsu, he treats ailments on a personalized basis. A healthy individual will feel better after a few sessions which serve to relax and regenerate the patient's energy. However, a person highly affected by stress, headaches, stiff neck and back will need at least one weekly session for several months, or more in severe cases. To use simple massages, shiatsu can be used at home following the instructions we've put together.

FACE MASSAGES

1. Place the thumbs on the forehead and use gentle, yet firm pressure.

2. Pinch both eyebrows with the index finger and thumb, moving from the center to the temples. Repeat several times to soothe pains in the forehead.

3. Massage along both sides of the nose with the index finger and thumb. Next, massage up the bridge of the nose (this point is called the “bright light") and press. This will provide a pleasant effect for tired vision.

4. Massage along the sides of the face and moving down the cheeks. This is a good technique that may relieve tension stored in the face.

5. Press again on the forehead with the thumbs and rub outward. Next, remain for a few minutes, calm and silent for complete relaxation.