What is shiatsu massage and how is performed?
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage. It is often confused with acupuncture and actually has some similarities. Just like acupuncture, shiatsu massage is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine. It is thought that illness is a result of imbalances in the natural flow of energy through the body. Therefore shiatsu therapists use finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways, called meridians to improve the flow of energy. When energy flows freely, chi brings fresh and strong energy, while carrying away energy that was spent, or in other words: blocked chi must be cleaned and restored. Shiatsu massage unifies spiritual, philosophical, and medical aspects of the body, while some western massage techniques, as mentioned before, are combined with the view that energy circulates along channels or popular called in shiatsu massage: meridians. There are fourteen meridians running the length of your body. Two meridians are central, driving chi through your torso. First is
