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Get Quick Stress Relief With Shiatsu Therapy

By Sylvia Dickens

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 30Jul2008
Word count: 494
Viewed: 327 time(s)

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Stress relief is something most of us can use, but finding it is not as easy as it could be. Exercising is one familiar method. So is relaxation to music. Both are good ways to relief stress, but there's one other non-invasive and drug-free treatment that works. Shiatsu.

If you're unfamiliar with this effective therapy, here are some quick facts.

Shiatsu was first discovered by a Japanese man who wanted desperately to ease his mother's pains from arthritis. By using his hands and fingers in a certain way, he was able to give her that relief. That was back in 1912.

Since then, it has become recognized worldwide as an effective treatment for a variety of stress-related conditions including headaches, migraines, insomnia, neck pain and stiffness, muscle tension and spasms, digestive problems and anxiety and depression.

How does Shiatsu work to provide stress relief?

Shiatsu works with the body's natural ability to heal itself. By applying pressure with the fingers, thumbs and palms to various soft tissue areas of the body, a trained Shiatsu therapist helps the body to reduce muscle tension and improve the function of its internal organs.

It frees up blocked energy and provides relief from pain and discomfort which, in turn, releases the build-up of stress throughout the body. After the first treatment, many people report immediate improvement.

Shiatsu is not the same as massage

Massage involves rubbing and kneading the body to improve circulation and relieve muscle tension and pain. In Shiatsu, the therapist applies and holds pressure on specific points on the body to release the tightened muscles and blocked energy paths. Because this method also improves organ function, the entire body benefits from Shiatsu.

A typical Shiatsu treatment begins after your health history and an assessment are taken. The actual treatment is usually done on a suitable floor mat or a therapy table. The pressure and gentle body stretches that are performed are based on your specific complaint. The entire process can take from 30 minutes to 90 minutes.

It's important to make sure the therapist you choose is certified as a Shiatsu therapist because anyone can claim to be a therapist while not possessing proper training. Since some manipulation of the body is involved, you only want people working on you who know what they are doing.

A properly trained and certified therapist with have the designated CST® (Certified Shiatsu Therapist™) recognition.

Two overseer organizations are the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA) and the NCCAOM (National Certification Council for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) in the United States which demand that their applicants show proof that they are trained in anatomy, physiology, Chinese medicine, and other related disciplines.

Look for these names and certifications when choosing a Shiatsu therapist. Once you find a good one, you'll likely want to return repeatedly to ease the tension you build up each week. Shiatsu is an excellent natural method for quick stress relief.

Want more stress relief tips? Visit Sylvia's Natural Anxiety Relief blog . Go inside her site for more articles, information and product recommendations including relaxation through biofeedback .

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