Health and wellness through 'Shiatsu'

Reflexology, shiatsu, acupressure or pressure therapy are the same as these systems work in the same lines. Learn about 'Shiatsu' which is a form of reflexology. A slight difference might be that reflexology talks about feet whereas shiatsu is concerned with hands, feet and other pressure points of the body.

'shiatsu' is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") through the body.

According to a definition by 'wikipedia': 'Shiatsu' is a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan. Shiatsu is regulated as a licensed medical therapy by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and elsewhere by various governing bodies set up by Shiatsu practitioners.

Shiatsu therapists use finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways, called meridians to improve the flow of qi.

What conditions is shiatsu used for?

* Relaxation
* Back pain
* Headache
* Premenstrual syndrome
* Anxiety
* Insomnia
* Neck and shoulder pain
* Tiredness
* Recovery from injuries
* Stress
* Arthritis pain
* Poor digestion
* Constipation
* Depression

Shiatsu is also called acupressure.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood, and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure and integrates bodywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.

Useful links:

* 'Shiatsu Society'

* 'Shiatsu Massage Guide'

* 'What is reflexology?'

* 'Hand Reflexology Chart'

* 'Reflexology'

* 'Acupressure'

Health and wellness through reflexology

I have plan to write a series of articles by providing essential and useful links, resources about pressure therapy which is called 'reflexology or shiatsu. As I have personally used this therapy to heal minor health problems, I would like to share this experience with all. The first post of this series is how this reflexology or shiatsu system can bring health and wellness for humans?

'Reflexology' is based on the principle that certain points on the feet and hands, called reflex points, correspond to various parts of the body and that by applying pressure to these points in a systematic way, a practitioner can help to release tensions and encourage the body’s natural healing processes.

'International Academy of Medical Reflexology' explains: What reflexology does?

Reflexology allows the body to self-correct, and to do for itself. Every time a person has his/her feet worked on, it is an examination, an evaluation, or a re-evaluation. This is accomplished through first doing a visual observation, and then by applying an exercise pressure upon relax areas to achieve a specific, highly specialized relaxation in that area of the body. This improves the nerve, blood, and lymphatic supply. The entire foot is assessed; and throughout the session, whenever a trouble (sore) spot shows up, more time is spent on that area of the foot reflex. By working on that area, the corresponding part of the body receives improved nerve, blood and lymphatic supply, in addition to working all 12 systems of the body: cardio-vascular, central nervous, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, sensory, skeletal, and urinary.

The purpose of the nerves is to carry messages and instruct the body. When the nerves improve that instruct the body, the instruction has to improve, the body has to improve. Every nerve in the body begins and ends in the hands and feet. By applying this specialized exercise pressure on the foot, the outcome is improved instruction to each and every part of the body, resulting in a re-educating, a re-patterning, and a re-conditioning of the nerves& instruction through the reflex/neutral electrical system of the body.

The purpose of the blood is to transport nutrition, glucose, and oxygen to all parts of the body. The blood travels approximately 168,000 miles per day to supply about 60 trillion cells in the body. The heart pumps about 103,000 times per day.

It is in the hands and feet that blood transfers from arteries to veins to return back to the heart. This is the reason why the feet must be flexible and dexterous. Stress, which can be responsible for 80 percent to 90 percent of ailments, can act like a tourniquet, wrapping around the body, squeezing so tightly that it causes an impediment of blood flow which results in an ischemic condition. Since the capillaries feed the functioning part of the body, we are only as healthy as our capillaries.

Again, by using this specific, relaxation technique, reflexology is able to relax a specific area of the body enough to improve the blood supply to that area. This will then allow improved transportation of the nutrition, glucose and oxygen which that area of the body desperately needs to function or to regulate. It is essential to remember that we are not only what we eat, we are what we supply to our cells, and then assimilate.

The purpose of the lymphatic system is to cleanse and purify the body and lubricate the muscles. A healthy system is a cleansed system; congestion is disease. The absence of balance in the body is disease. The lymphatic system cannot cleanse or purify very well if it is weak, sick or congested. A healthy person's body will rid itself of at least eight pounds or toxic waste per day through the four channels of elimination: kidneys, bowels, skin and the breath. The lymph flows in one direction only, toward the heart; also every lymphatic vessel begins and ends in the hands and feet. By using this specific, highly specialized relaxation technique (reflexology) we are persuading the body to correct, strengthen, and reinforce itself.

Reflexology, which is not invasive but persuasive, can enable the body to obtain and maintain this healthy condition. In essence, healthy, strong feet are attached to a healthy, strong body.

* 'Reflexology hand charts'

* 'Reflexology of the hands'

Related posts:

* "Finger Tips" - A blog about Message Therapy

* When a journalist devoted his life for a volunteer purpose!

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