TREATMENTS

Shiatsu is a non-invasive form of massage that originates from Japan. The name when translated means ?finger pressure?. It is sometimes referred to as ?acupressure? as in Acupuncture without needles, or a form of Japanese physiotherapy. Such descriptions are partially correct. In Britain it is a complementary therapy working alongside the primary healthcare system.

Shiatsu theory views the body as a holder of Ki (Chi). Ki is a form of energy for which we have no equivalent in English or Western philosophies, that when moving smoothly in an unrestrictive manner in the body, through muscles, bones, skin and tissues, in meridians, gives us a feeling of being well. The Oriental approaches to medicine do not separate mind and body as we do in Western medicine. So along with this smooth flow of Ki comes a spiritual sense of well being, of being happy with oneself and one?s life.

At times, this flow of Ki can be disturbed ? an accident, a shock or bereavement, dietary excess or imbalance ? which can result in the body presenting this imbalance in many forms, pain, skin rash, loss of drive, emotional swings, spiritual unrest. Depending upon the severity and length of time of the imbalance, so the degree of the illness or state of discomfort.

A Shiatsu treatment aims to restore the balance of Ki within the body, in doing so allowing the body to redress the physical and/or emotional-spiritual discomfort.
How Can Shiatsu Help ?

Shiatsu treatments have significant anecdotal evidence to support its effectiveness in helping the body resolve many conditions. It does not profess to cure but can help the body and you on the way to a better state of well being.

For example some of the imbalances that Shiatsu has helped to alleviate are, back ache, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, whiplash, migraines, arthritis, menstrual issues, sports injuries, post surgery trauma, depression, general tiredness, nervous system disorders, anorexia, asthma, bulimia and support of clients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Shiatsu treatments can also be received purely for relaxation or a general tone up, very much taking your car in a regular service!
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The Treatment

The treatment begins with a discussion about you. All information you provide is treated within the strictest of confidence. The Shiatsu-Do practitioner interprets this information from both a western and oriental perspective and together with you establishes a course of remedial treatments to be followed.

You will remain fully clothed throughout your treatment, lying on the floor on a futon or sitting up on a seat whichever is the more appropriate location.

The usual length of a treatment is 45 to 60 minutes. However the first session will be 60 to 90 minutes to accommodate the taking of a full medical history.

At the end of each session we will discuss any feedback you may have and begin to build for you a toolkit that you can use to help retain the benefits of the Shiatsu treatment. In this toolkit may be dietary recommendations, physical/mental exercises, a referral to a supporting therapy and many other lifestyles hints and tips that have been acquired through the years of clinical and life experience.

The number of treatments you will require is not fixed. It will be determined by factors like, how you respond to Shiatsu, how long the imbalance has been around, and the practitioner. After 4 sessions we review how Shiatsu has been helping you and agree to continue to a next checkpoint.
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Guidelines

* Wear loose fitting clothing (includes socks), preferably of natural fibre.
* Try not to eat a very large meal within 2 hours of your appointment
* Refrain if possible from drinking alcohol before or after your appointment
* Avoid strenuous physical exercises or saunas immediately after treatment
* Please be punctual and respect the time of the other client awaiting their treatment.
* If you cannot make your appointment phone at least 24 hours.

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Venues

Clinics are held 9am to 5pm Mondays, Fridays and 9am to 1pm on Saturday mornings at the 111 West Street Clinic in Farnham, Surrey.

Please call to arrange an appointment or to discuss whether Shiatsu can help you!

Note: Please give 24 hours notice if unable to attend otherwise broken appointments will incur a full session fee.