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[S373]Shiatsu Massage Seat Cushion

by Carol Culhane, Car

What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage or bodywork that originated in Japan. Literally translated shiatsu means finger pressure. In shiatsu the thumbs (elbows, knees and fingers are also used) are used to manipulate the flow of Qi or energy in the body to prevent and treat conditions such as insomnia or shoulder pain.

The theories of shiatsu go back literally thousands of years. Stone acupuncture needles have been found in China dating from around 8,000 B.C. The theories of shiatsu and acupuncture are almost identical as they both use the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In fact, shiatsu is sometimes referred to as acupressure. Interestingly, Shiatsu was only recognized as a distinct modality in 1964 in Japan. Shiatsu is a modern refinement of a modality with an ancient history.

How Does Shiatsu Work?

Shiatsu manipulates the Qi or energy of the body by regulating its flow within an individual. Different people and different areas of the body have different needs. For example your shoulders may feel tense and hard to the touch while your lower back may ache and feel soft to the touch. The shiatsu therapist will treat the shoulders with a firm fairly quick pressure, and the lower back with a gentle, slower pressure. The difference in the duration and depth of pressure applied will change the way the Qi or energy flows in the client which rebalances the body, and leaves the client feeling healthier with less pain and stress.

Two-handed Technique

Shiatsu therapists generally use a two-handed technique. One hand manipulates a particular meridian or line of Qi in the body and the other is placed on an adjoining area of the body. The resting or ‘mother' hand helps to calm the client, and is useful in feeling the results of the working or ‘child' hand. In this way the shiatsu therapist receives constant feedback about the treatment, and the client feels reassured and relaxed.

What Does Shiatsu Treat?

Shiatsu can be helpful for many conditions (see list following), but is also an excellent way to prevent disease. Shiatsu is holistic meaning it can treat emotional problems as well as physical ones. Many people for example feel tension in their shoulders or upper back during stressful periods of their lives. Shiatsu and the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine see these 2 symptoms as related to one issue, and not as separate entities.

In my private practice I have treated a client with asthma who decreased the use of his puffer by about half. I have treated a client with chronic insomnia who immediately after the first treatment had a solid 7 hours of sleep. I have helped clients rid themselves of headaches, back pain, and chronic stress. I have also dealt with the aftermath of physical abuse, helping to reprogram the body's response to touch.

Conditions Treated:

• Asthma
• Back pain
• Digestive difficulties
• Headaches/migraines
• Insomnia
• Menstrual problems
• Sprains and strains
• Stress Issues

The benefits of shiatsu include:

• Improved sleep
• Reduction or elimination of pain
• Improved digestive function
• Improved breathing
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved circulation
• Increased self healing
• Strengthened immune system
• Improved posture
• Feeling of relaxation and wellbeing

This brief introduction gives you an idea of how shiatsu works and what it can do. I encourage you to try a treatment or take a short introductory course to learn more about shiatsu and its wonderful benefits.

Carol Culhane, EST
Shiatsu Therapist

Shiatsu massage originates in Japan and so does the massage chair. However, this technology has spread throughout the world and is no longer just a Japanese phenomenon. There are a handful of companies that make the best shiatsu massage chairs today. These companies have studied the techniques and have developed extraordinary technology to replicate these subtle techniques. We present the best shiatsu massage chairs on the market.

The best shiatsu massage chairs are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. They are a long term investment in your health and stress management. The massage recliners that we will perform the best shiatsu massages will range between $4,000 and $5,000 in price. These provide full body massage capabilities for many years to come.

The shiatsu massage techniques use a variety of specialized hand movements to provide its therapeutic relief. Additionally, it makes use of the body's natural trigger points based on acupuncture. Shiatsu stimulates these trigger points to help induce total body relaxation. Applying advanced technology and software programs has been the only successful way to realistically replicate these techniques and their corresponding benefits.

If you are looking for the best of the best, then you should go with a name brand massage chair like Omega, Sanyo or Panasonic. These companies have solidly manufactured massage chairs and reliable warranty coverage. These companies have developed excellent technology and incorported it into their top chairs. Let us take a look at some of the top models offered by these top firms.

The Sanyo HEC DR7700 is the top of the line for Sanyo. This massage chair has a specialized roller mechanism called the GK roller system. The GK roller system can come over the top of the shoulders and thus provides an excellent neck and shoulder massage. This massage lounger is also zero gravity which takes the pressure off your spinal column. The DR 7700 can detect trouble areas and zero in on those areas automatically.

Another shiatsu lounger is the Montage Premier by Omega Massage. This high end, luxury recliner is packed full of great massage therapy functions. The Montage Premier comes with a body scan technology that identifies your shiatsu trigger points. The Montage Premier then targets these areas to stimulate to induce full body relaxation. This is a massage chair that comes with other important features such as an MP3 player, full body heat therapy and a lower body traction system.

The Real Pro Ultra series of massage recliners is Panasonic's newest line. In particular, the EP 30004 model has some wonderfully effective shiatsu massage treatments. They have a new massage style called Junetsu. The Junetsu is an ultra find kneading type massage that provides deep penetration all the way to the bone. It uses thumb-like pressure by making small circles in pressure point areas of the back. This is a very therapeutic and effective massage technique.

These 3 massage chair companies have excellent shiatsu massage recliners. Panasonic, Sanyo and Omega are the top shiatsu massage chair brands available today. You can find almost every conceivable function has been masterfully integrated into this massage recliners. If you are looking at massage chairs, then you really owe it to yourself to check out these name brand massage chairs.

Article Source : Massage Benefits

About Author

Both Carol Culhane & James Knolan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Carol Culhane has sinced written about articles on various topics from Massage. . Carol Culhane's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.

James Knolan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Massage, Health and Massage. Looking for the best for your wellbeing? We carry the top. James Knolan's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.