Shiatsu massage

View Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses.

Shiatsu massage originates from Japan and comes from the words for finger (shi) and pressure (atsu). It can be compared to a form of acupuncture without the use of needles (acupressure) and is a far more pleasurable experience, combining relaxation with healing. The fingers and palms of the hand are applied to specific points on the body to alleviate stresses, strains, and even the effects of illnesses. The skillful techniques employed can help to promote mental and physical health and wellbeing while offering a relaxing and pampering experience.

When you go for a shiatsu massage the practitioner may well move your body in a dynamic way in order to relieve strains and tensions. You will be able to simply lie down and relax while the masseur does the hard work. Depending on your preferences and what the practitioner diagnoses as your needs, shiatsu can be invigorating, enlivening, refreshing, or relaxing. Using their skills, a shiatsu masseur can lead you to the point of a deep sleep, harmonize your body clock, or instill you with reviving energy which will make you feel like you can tackle anything.

Although Japan has an ancient tradition of healing massage therapies, shiatsu was developed in the twentieth century by Tokojiro Namikoshi. Namikoshi developed the technique building on traditional skills and knowledge and combining them with an appreciation of Western anatomy and medicine. He was seeking a way to treat his own mother as gently as possible. Shiatsu came to the United States in 1950 when Toshiko Phipps, a qualified practitioner, began teaching its healing methods. One of the most famous early beneficiaries of shiatsu was Marilyn Monroe who enjoyed a treatment from Namikoshi to help her overcome illness during a trip to Japan in 1956.

Essentially shiatsu works with the body's natural pressure points, relating to the central nervous system. Gentle pressure is exerted using fingers, the palms of the hand, and especially the thumbs. The shiatsu practitioner uses their limbs and their sensitivity to the body's energetic system in order to detect imbalances and areas which are not aligned. Shiatsu enables the practitioner to "diagnose" problems with health and general wellbeing. By applying gentle and intricate pressure along the pressure points the masseur can alleviate strains and help gently to encourage the body's immune system and natural powers of healing.

Most shiatsu practitioners follow methods developed by Namikoshi but there are other schools of shiatsu too; for example, Zen Shiatsu which is also known as Masunaga Therapy. This form of massage returns to traditional Chinese medicine for inspiration and rather than simply using palms, fingers, and thumbs sees the masseur using fists, knees, and elbows too for a more dynamic form of treatment. While practicing this form practitioners adopt a Zen-like transcendental state of mind. They use both hands to be as fully in touch as possible with the body's "chi" or life force.

Movement shiatsu has been developed to work with people experiencing chronic conditions. Shiatsu is combined with exercises to test a client's strengths and weaknesses. This is an area where some practitioners have specialized in working with children, including those with specific impairments such as cerebral palsy.

Shiatsu can be experienced as a one-off treatment but is likely to prove more beneficial if a course of treatments is taken. You do not need to have a health problem to benefit from shiatsu; it can help with everyday stresses and strains and also to promote mental wellbeing and peace of mind.

Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses

Medical Careers Institute

The program focuses on the medical and rehabilitative effects of massage while conferring an understanding of the art and science of massage therapy. Sound business practices are taught, which prepares students for success in the workplace. The curriculum integrates clinical experience with hands-on work, and students get to know about the care given to patients in different stages of health.

Associate.
Massage Therapy - Associate.
Virginia, North Carolina.

Fortis College

Massage Therapy

The program has been specifically designed to focus on allowing the student to gain a basic understanding of massage. Classroom instruction is combined with hands-on training in such areas as techniques of Swedish massage, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and kinesiology to successfully prepare students for entry-level employment in the massage industry.

Diploma, Associate.
Massage Therapy.
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Florida.

Charter College

Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
California.

American Career College

American Career College has assisted student's success for more than 29 years. There are many options for a massage therapist, such as private practice, medical or acupuncture clinics, chiropractic or physical therapy offices, day spaces, or fitness centers.

Certificate.
Massage Therapy.
California.

Hollywood Institute

Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
Florida.