1. Shiatsu, A Japanese
Acupressure Massage

2. Ancient Chinese healers discovered that if they
used light finger pressure on the sick that their
patients would get better. They treated digestive
problems and increased energy in their patients.
They documented their work and discovered over
time that energy flows along certain pathways
within the body and there was a corresponding
organ affected by this flow of energy. They
labeled these major pathways Meridians.

3. Centuries ago a Buddhist priest introduced Chinese
Medicine to Japanese healers who were intrigued by
this manipulative technique. The Japanese took this
technique and developed an acupressure massage
that they call 'Shiatsu'. Shiatsu is a relaxing massage
that uses gentle thumb pressure as the therapist
travels up a meridian path and down the meridian
paths in the proper flow for each of the twelve
meridians. The client lies on a comfortable mat on the
floor and is clothed in loose clothing.

4. Acupressure and Shiatsu directly works with our energy
system through the nervous and musculoskeletal
systems of our body which has a profound affect on
our overall well being.Shiatsu brings our energy
system back into balance and harmony with our
whole system beginning with relaxation. Relaxation
sends signals through the nervous system to slow
down the excess release of the cortisol hormone.

5. As a side note, the hormone Cortisol is a defensive
hormone that creates extra amounts of cortisol.
Depending on the amount of cortisol released our
digestion is inhibited or shut down, our immune system,
sex drive, and all other non essential body functions are
slowed or inhibited in order to release Adrenalin.
Adrenalin gives us the extra strength and surge of
energy for the 'flight for life' survival mode. This
chemical activity is designed to help us through our
crisis. This is our 'hunker down' and 'get 'er done'
excess energy. When the crisis is over we collapse into a
weakened state of fatigue.

6. Our energy system is often referred to as our Soul,
Spirit, 'Chi', 'Ki', and sometimes our emotional being.
Our energy system is comprised of the physical,
mental, emotional and spiritual aspects that comprise
the human being. Our energy system is who we
really are.
'Dis-ease' and disharmony are a direct result of
imbalances within our energy system. Many factors
such as financial stress, fatigue from over working
the physical body, insecurity, low self esteem, crime,
hunger (inappropriate diet), illness and stress in
general all interfere with the healthy flow of life
giving energy. The stresses of life have a way of
creating blockages in our energy system which
manifest along the Meridian paths.

7. In Western medicine our symptoms are treated with anti-
depressants, muscle relaxants, pain pills, heartburn
medicine, arthritis medicine, heart medicine, surgery
and other procedures known to treat symptoms.
However, in Eastern medicine, traditional Chinese
Medicine and Orientals treat the source of the 'dis-ease'
and disharmony with nutritional food, rest and
Acupressure which addresses energy blockages along
meridian pathways that prevent life-giving circulation
and essential chemical reactions.

8. Resources:
http://asismassage.com
http://ezinearticles.com/?Shiatsu,-A-Japanese-
Acupressure-Massage&id=8059913