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The Shiatsu Session
Pointers
to maximise the benefits from your session
- Wear/bring loose,
comfortable clothing e.g. tracksuit bottoms.
- Avoid eating a
meal for at least 1 hour before the session.
- Do not consume any
alcohol for at least 2 hours before the session or for an hour or two
afterwards.
- Avoid vigorous
exertion for a while afterwards; have a rest!
These are only guidelines and
not always
possible to adhere to in the real world. I frequently give shiatsu to
people coming in their business suits, though you must be willing to
remove tie and jacket!
You
remain fully clothed throughout the session and no oil is used.
The
session itself
The appointment lasts 1 hour.
On your first visit I will take a case history, the extensiveness
varying according to the reason and purpose of your visit; if you have
come mainly for de-stressing/relaxation I will have to make a less
detailed appraisal than if there are any symptoms and conditions you
would like treatment for.
I follow the history taking with a structural assessment, checking for
example pelvic and vertebral alignment as well as various
articulations. Again, the extent of this structural check varies
depending on the client's reason for coming. If there is a problem such
as sciatica or lower back pain I will spend more time on structure than
if the main purpose is to relieve anxiety or stress. On the other hand
one of the contributing factors of the latter two might be sleep
problems exacerbated by a slightly misaligned cerebral vertebra
resulting in a nightly battle of never being able to get completely
comfortable....
Then follows the Hara Diagnosis which is one of the main ways of
assessing the client's energy system referred to in 'What
is Shiatsu'
Having completed these steps I now have a clearer idea of the client's
structural and energetic condition and can commence treatment
accordingly.
Assessment, both of the structural and energetic elements continues
throughout the treatment and is assisted by client feedback at the time.
The way a Shiatsu treatment is experienced depends both on the
receiver's condition and on the intended purpose. One will often hear
Shiatsu mentioned in the same breath as "very gentle", "relaxing" etc.
and that is certainly a result that is often achieved. If you are
looking for a way to combat stress and to experience a feeling of
deepest relaxation then Shiatsu will certainly deliver that.
But if the Shiatsu session is centred around a structural issue then
the session might include Sotai exercises as well as some structural
realignments which might mean giving less emphasis to the 'relaxation'
element.
My aim here is to show that the Shiatsu experience is manifold and with
mutual feedback, client driven.
At the end of the treatment session and often after a short rest, there
is
time for me to share my findings with the client and frequently make
recommendations such as specific exercises that would be of help. Due
to time constraints, the latter can usually only be done on subsequent
visits.
We might also discuss the suitability of follow-up treatments or the
advisability of having a course of treatments.
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