It seems that whatever ease and calm efforts we try to make our lives less stressful, it turns out we can't control what's going on around us. And this, as it always had done, makes us more tiring and exhausted by the end of the day. You may not know it, but perhaps the extreme stress and tiredness may be due to something else. The best retreat, a soothing massage to comfort the aching and tired mind and body.

A good alternative for relaxation is the Shiatsu massage. Shiatsu massage is holistic, focusing on the whole person, both mind and body. Unlike western medicine, which treats symptoms, Shiatsu seeks to discover and treat the source of the imbalance. Consequently, Shiatsu may be used both to treat and prevent disease. During a session, one might also receive various suggestions that are intended to assist the healing process. These suggestions may include dietary, life habits, thought/perception and lifestyle changes. Shiatsu is also a great alternative for people interested in the benefits of acupuncture but are needle shy. Because shiatsu's focus is on massaging the meridians, so to speak, the massage may feel deep and focused without feeling invasive and "pushy."

Shiatsu massage treats common psychological and physical complaints by pressing pressure points. Proponents believe it alleviates disorders such as depression, anxiety, nausea, stiffness, headaches, arthritis, cramps, or pulled muscles. This Japanese equivalent of the Chinese method of acupressure comes from the Japanese words "shi" and "atsu," meaning "finger pressure."

Shiatsu massage, sometimes called Zen shiatsu, unifies spiritual, philosophical, and medical aspects of the body. Some westernized massage techniques are combined with the view that energy, qi or chi, circulates along channels called meridians. When freely flowing, chi brings fresh, strong energy and carries away spent energy along with toxins. In this view, any number of influences upset our natural balance of yin and yang. Blocked or diverted chi must be cleared and restored. An Eastern perspective doesn't cite sleeplessness, indigestion, swollen joints, headaches, or depression as sources of discomfort, but sees them as symptoms of either hyperactive or underproductive chi.

Most people enjoy shiatsu massage as much as they enjoy deep tissue massage, but expect some differences. Shiatsu will involve deep breathing, rotating and stretching your joints, as well as manipulating pressure points. When these points are pressed, people describe the sensation as feeling tender, tickling, intense, or slightly uncomfortable, unlike anything else. After the massage, you may feel strange, but not sore as in a muscular tissue massage. Many believe Shiatsu is both preventative and healing, so getting it done on a regular basis, along with stretching, exercise, and a healthy diet, may improve your health.

Shiatsu supports the self-healing process. As a holistic form of treatment, it looks on illness and symptoms of disease as an imbalance of energy. Treatment stimulates, relaxes, invigorates, decongests, and gives an overall sense of body/mind/spirit well-being. Shiatsu not only works on the visible symptoms of imbalance, but also at an even deeper level, the energetic level, the root of all imbalances. This may eventually give you a better disposition and a more energetic lifestyle, the best way to live the day!