Shiatsu is a type of bodywork that is part of ancient Oriental traditional medicine. Although Shiatsu means finger or thumb pressure, the practice often utilizes the palm, elbow, knee or foot pressure as well as stretching, rocking and kneading and a variety of other additional techniques.
Click here to see the video overview of a Shiatsu treatment.
(Video production by Cotton Field Communications. Music is courtesy of Rolly Brown.)
Benefits
Each Shiatsu session is tailored to suit the particular needs of each person in order to encourage the body’s natural flow of energy, or chi. Deep relaxation and smooth flowing chi release tension and relieve stress-related ailments, aches, and pain.
Shiatsu is wonderful for relieving:
Shiatsu promotes and improves:
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient Chinese practice during which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (by using change in heat or by suctioning out air) so that the skin and superficial muscle layer are drawn into and held in the cup.
Cupping is recommended for the treatment of pain, gastro-intestinal disorders, lung diseases (especially chronic cough and asthma) and paralysis, though it can be used for other disorders, as well.
Benefits of Cupping:
What to Expect
The fleshy areas of the body are preferred sites for cupping. Once the cups are applied, the cups are left in place for about 10 minutes (typical range is 5-15 minutes). Initially, the skin will appear bruised, purple or discolored. The discoloration will disappear within 3-5 days. After additional cupping, there is less skin discoloration.
GUA SHA
Gua (gwa), meaning to scrape or scratch, and Sha (shaw), meaning toxins, is a traditional ancient Chinese healing technique that promotes chi or vital life energy, blood circulation and removal of toxic heat, stagnant blood and lymph fluid from the body.
How is Gua Sha performed?
The method of applying Gua Sha involves the layering of Gua Sha oil on the skin. The skin is then scraped in the area of discomfort using a specific Gua Sha tool. The area of scraping is dependent upon whether the treatment is for physical or emotional healing. As the body is scraped, it pushes a build-up of fluids ahead of it. As the fluid moves, it leaves an indentation or vacuum behind, which draws toxic fluid out to the surface and is seen as small red, deep purple or green pools of blood. The area often is hot from the toxic heat being extracted.
Gua Sha treats, alleviates or heals:
Chronic degenerative diseases, migraines, chronic neck, shoulder and back pain, menstrual disorders, insomnia, hypertension, vertigo, sinusitis, ear and eye disorders, chronic infections, stress, digestive disorders.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 215-740-6187.