Guidelines To Keep In Mind
During the Practice of Shiatsu

Shiatsu is an excellent pain reliever for many health conditions such as stress related disorders, endometriosis, menopause (and accompanying symptoms), and constipation. Shiatsu can decrease both the level of fatigue (or tsubo) and stress, that has built up in the human body, and it can improve circulation of both the lymph, and blood in the body.

Shiatsu also helps to decrease the stiffness of muscles and joints, and has been shown to help lower blood pressure.

Shiatsu also helps to improve a person's level of energy (or qi), stamina, and vitality.

When you decide to begin practicing shiatsu, always dress in loose fit, comfortable clothing that is made of natural as opposed to synthetic fibers. Doing this helps to encourage the flow of positive energy in the body, or what is referred to as "ki." Always make sure you practice shiatsu in a room that has plenty of empty space, and is uncluttered, clean, and very tidy.

It is also a good idea to make sure the room you practice in is warm, and quiet. If you do not do these things, then it can have a negative impact on the flow of energy.

The patient of the practice of shiatsu should lie on the floor for the treatment. It is recommended that the person lie on a futon (which is also a quilted form of a Japanese mattress) or else a floor mat. If the patient needs pillows and/or cushions in order to be comfortable, then they are permissible.

It is always important to be as comfortable as possible when you are having a shiatsu treatment. It is best not to have a large meal before your shiatsu session. It is best on an empty stomach, or after a light meal. This is important for the recipient of the treatment, but the same can true for the person who is giving the shiatsu treatment. 

You should wait a few hours if you have had a large meal before you have a shiatsu treatment, or to perform it on another person. The best option is to do the treatment before the meal has been eaten.

Today's Holistic Tip for Pain Chinese Holistic Life begins with diaphragm breathing as evidenced by the way babies and young children breath. These little tykes breathe from deep down in their diaphragms and they make sure to use the complete ability of their lungs. When you see a baby's stomach rise when he or she is sleeping it is because the breathing is coming from deep down in the body. This is how nature intended it to be but as we age we tend to become more stressed and this affects how we breathe. Breathing becomes more controlled and restrained and often we do not even realize that we are not breathing as completely as we should be. pain therapy

Shiatsu is not recommended for anyone who has varicose veins, but if it is performed on a person with varicose veins, then be sure no pressure is exerted on the sore and swollen veins. Shiatsu pressure should ever be applied to injuries or traumas to the body; such as cuts, tears, bruises or breaks in muscles or bones.

Be aware that shiatsu is perfectly safe for pregnant women, however there are four areas of the body that should be avoided, these areas include; the stomach, the legs from the knees and down to the feet, the area at the left and right side of the neck where the shoulder begins and the fleshy area of the skin that is a web like and is located between the thumb and the index finger.

It is important to let the shiatsu practitioner know that you are pregnant or that you might be pregnant. It is always important that the person about to have a shiatsu treatment be both relaxed, and calm.

Shiatsu is generally considered to be safe, but it should not be performed on everyone. Persons who suffer from some serious health problems such as; cancer, multiple sclerosis and heart conditions, should not engage in shiatsu. Many times an experienced shiatsu practitioner can work on the person with a serious disease, but only if they have been made aware of the person's health situation, and their prognosis.