The Practice of Shiatsu

249 Pages·2008·49.035 MB·English

by  Sandra K. Anderson, BA, LMT, NCTMB (Eds.)

THE PRACTICE OF SHIATSU
Sandra K. Anderson, BA, LMT, NCTMB
Co-Owner, Tucson Touch Th erapies
Treatment Center and Education Center
Tucson, Arizona
With 355 full-color illustrations
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11830 Westline Industrial Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63146
THE PRACTICE OF SHIATSU ISBN: 978-0-323-04580-3
Copyright © 2008 by Mosby, Inc., an affi liate of Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
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without permission in writing from the publisher.
Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier’s Health Sciences Rights Department in Philadelphia, PA, USA:
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Notice
Neither the Publisher nor the Author assumes any responsibility for any loss or injury and/or damage to
persons or property arising out of or related to any use of the material contained in this book. It is the
responsibility of the treating practitioner, relying on independent expertise and knowledge of the patient, to
determine the best treatment and method of application for the patient.
Th e Publisher
Library of Congress Control Number: 2007928476
ISBN: 978-0-323-04580-3
Publishing Director: Linda Duncan
Senior Editor: Kellie White
Senior Developmental Editor: Jennifer Watrous
Publishing Services Manager: Patricia Tannian
Project Manager: Claire Kramer
Book Designer: Kimberly E. Denando
Working together to grow
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Printed in China www.elsevier.com | www.bookaid.org | www.sabre.org
Last digit is the print number: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
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PPrroocceessss CCyyaannPPrroocceessss MMaaggeennttaaPPrroocceessss YYeelllloowwPPrroocceessss BBllaacckk
To David Kent Anderson, who knows all the reasons why
To my sisters, Sue Kauff man and Linda Kauff man Guenther: two beautiful,
lively, and intelligent women who help make life wonderful
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CONTRIBUTORS
Tama Hader, NCBTMB
Certifi cation, Zen Shiatsu
Certifi cation, Th ai Massage
Private Practice, Listening Hands Shiatsu
Columbia Falls, Montana
Contributions Th roughout the Book
Cora Jacobson
Owner, Touch of Radiance Healing Arts
Tucson, Arizona
Chapter 8
Bob Lehnberg
Certifi ed Teacher of Body-Mind Centering © and Qigong
Lewisville, North Carolina
Qigong Section, Chapter 5
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REVIEWERS
William Courtland, LMT, AS, NCTMB
Faculty Member
Acupressure and Chinese Medical Th erapy
Connecticut Center for Massage Th erapy
Westport, Connecticut
Jeanne deMontagnac-Hall, LMT, ABMP
Member, Massage Th erapy Advisory Committee, Ohio
Member, Ohio Association of Blood Banks, Ohio
West Chester, Ohio
Eric Munn, CMT
Massage Th erapy Program Director
Berdan Institute
Wayne, New Jersey
Terry Norman, BME, LMT, NCBTMB, AOBTA
Instructor
Texas Christian University
Tarrant County College So. Campus
University of Texas at Arlington
Mt. View Community College
Private Practice
Mansfi eld, Texas
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FOREWORD
Shiatsu is a bodywork modality with roots in Western and Eastern modalities. However, there was
traditional Chinese medicine, various forms of many a night when studying Western physiology and
Japanese massage, and a Western understanding of ana- pathology alongside traditional Chinese medicine and
tomy and physiology. In fact, shiatsu is the perfect Five Element Th eory made my brain go TILT.*
meeting of Eastern and Western approaches to the Although the textbooks that were used for shiatsu were
human body. Its power lies in its approach to assess- of good quality, they amounted to overkill—dizzyingly
ment and treatment. Shiatsu takes the whole person complex.
into consideration—the client’s mental, emotional, Fortunately, one of my shiatsu teachers was Sandy
and physical state—and seeks to restore harmony and Anderson.
balance. Sandy is an eminently practical person. As a teacher,
Western science is gradually accepting, if somewhat she was able to translate an Eastern worldview and ab-
grudgingly, the notion of mind-body interconnected- stract concepts into language and exercises that made
ness (e.g., see Molecules of Emotion: Th e Science Behind sense to us Western-schooled students. Now, as a writer,
Mind-Body Medicine, by Candace Pert, PhD). Not Sandy has produced a book that fi lls a big gap in shiatsu
surprisingly (given its Asian roots), the concept of education. Th rough her review of the literature and
interconnectedness is inherent in shiatsu. Th e Western her experience as both a practitioner and teacher of
physiology term is homeostasis, and we learn in phy- shiatsu, Sandy has crafted a book that provides the
siology class that the body is always seeking homeo- essential foundation to begin a practice of shiatsu.
stasis. It literally means “same state” and refers to the When I was a student, the hardest concept for
process of keeping the internal body environment in a me to transfer from theory to practice was that of Ki
steady state of equilibrium. Th e importance of this (Japanese), or Qi (Chinese), which is variously trans-
cannot be overstressed because “internal body environ- lated as “energy” or “life force.” Although I accepted
ment” includes our mental and emotional states. A the idea of Ki moving in channels (meridians) in the
great deal of the hormone system and autonomic body, actually experiencing it and then applying the
nervous system is dedicated to homeostasis. Symptoms various theories (e.g., Yin/Yang, Five Element) were
occur when homeostasis is disturbed, through injury, mind-bending challenges. In this book, Sandy eff ec-
illness, or stress. Shiatsu has proved to be an eff ective tively makes that bridge between theory and practice.
modality for supporting the body in restoring overall Sandy approaches the discussion of Ki by stressing
homeostasis. the importance of connection—that shiatsu treatment
Shiatsu is now part of the curriculum at a large happens as a result of the connection between practitio-
number of massage schools all over the country, and ner and client—another aspect of the interconnected-
you can pick up books on shiatsu at most bookstores. ness that pervades life. Because the quality of treatment
Th e shiatsu books available either are aimed at a general is directly dependent on the quality of the connection
audience (e.g., do-it-yourself shiatsu, treat your family between practitioner and client, Sandy provides the
and friends with shiatsu) or are more suitable for acu- student with a variety of techniques to achieve a clear,
puncture students (i.e., they are considerably more open state.
technical and involved than a shiatsu practitioner In fact, one of the many strengths of the book is
needs). the emphasis on preparation. American culture is fast
Th e massage school I went to off ered an evening paced, and Americans are impatient for results. We
program that combined massage certifi cation with take the fewest number of vacation days compared
shiatsu training. I was excited about learning both with any other country in the developed world. We
*I am of the generation that remembers pinball machines. Like the video games of today, they demanded good eye-hand
coordination. Unlike today’s electronic games, though, pinball machines are mechanical, and you could nudge the machine
to help the ball move where you wanted it to go. If too much “body English” was used, though, the bumpers quit responding
and the word TILT would appear in big, bright, fl ashing letters on the scoreboard. Game over.
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must be constantly entertained, from television to everything they have learned and experienced into a
music players to cell phones. As a culture, we do not personal style that is uniquely responsive to each
recognize the value of being still. However, learning to client they treat. For students learning shiatsu, this
be still is a prerequisite to sensing Ki and practicing book provides a clear, measured path to that kind
shiatsu. Th is book provides clear guidance for learning of virtuosity.
this valuable skill through a framework of explanation One of the things I most admire about Sandy is her
and exercises that make it possible for a student to passion for education. She is a marvelously eff ective
experience Ki, and to distinguish qualities of Ki, and teacher, with a love for the practice of shiatsu. She has
then to fi nd guidance for treating any disharmony or experienced its therapeutic value fi rsthand from years
imbalance. of both giving and receiving shiatsu treatment. All that
As any musician knows, perfecting basic scales is passion, knowledge, and experience have been chan-
critical to later virtuosity. Sandy presents a basic kata neled into this book—for you.
(routine) to practice. Like practicing scales or commit- From foundational information to exercises to rou-
ting a piece of music to memory, practicing a kata until tines, from standard treatment protocols to methods
it is part of you (e.g., not having to think about where of assessment and beyond, this book will guide you to
to position yourself or how to move the client for that perfect marriage of education and experience that
access to a particular meridian) allows for total focus will make you an eff ective shiatsu practitioner. Many,
and openness to sensing the client’s Ki and responding many blessings for your journey.
therapeutically.
Because of her considerable experience, Sandy Michaela Johnson, LMT
emphasizes training her students in client-centered Massage therapist and shiatsu practitioner
treatment. Th is means that students are encouraged Tucson, Arizona
to move beyond the basic routines, incorporating March 2007
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PREFACE
Shiatsu is a unique form of bodywork. It requires then more complex material is introduced to allow
no special tools, lubricants, or equipment. It can be students time to integrate the material. Simple tech-
performed virtually anywhere. When shiatsu is done niques are shown fi rst, and as students master these,
properly, both the practitioner and the recipient feel additional techniques designed for skill enhancement
calm, balanced, and energized afterward. With its roots are presented. Good body mechanics is emphasized
in the ancient beginnings of humankind, it is yet throughout. All of this will serve students well in their
adaptable to the needs of modern society, basically bodywork practice, preventing injury and ensuring
because it involves simple human to human contact in longevity in the profession.
an increasingly complex world. At fi rst glance, shiatsu
may be seen as only a series of techniques, and once a
practitioner has learned a routine, that is suffi cient. Th e
ORGANIZATION
strength of the shiatsu treatment, however, is the prac-
titioner’s knowledge base. Th e aim of this book is to
Although shiatsu in and of itself is a fairly recent
provide that knowledge base and methods used in
modality, its roots are deep. Along with the evolution
shiatsu. In other words, this book aims to bridge theory
of shiatsu, how traditional Chinese medicine and
and technique.
ancient Asian healing techniques provide the frame-
Th e traditional Asian view of health and harmony
work for the development of shiatsu is discussed in the
(traditional Chinese medicine) is the foundation on
fi rst section of this book. Included in this discussion
which the techniques are built, and this book presents
are Qi (Ki) and Qi conn ection, Yin and Yang, Vital
the information in easy to digest sections. Traditional
Substances, Five Element Th eory, causes of disease
Chinese medicine does not need to seem mysterious
according to traditional Chinese medicine, organs,
or diffi cult. Instead, it can be thought of as a natural
channels (meridians), tsubo, hara, kyo, jitsu, and the
outgrowth of human interaction with the Earth. Once
Four Methods of Assessments. Also included is a
practitioners understand this, they can interact with
section on Qigong to assist students in cultivating their
and educate their clients on a deeper level. Th is, in
own Qi and to develop their ability to connect with
turn, can lead to greater awareness of shiatsu, on a
their clients’ Qi.
local, regional, and national level.
Concluding the fi rst section, a routine, called a kata,
is outlined for students to follow to learn basic shiatsu
techniques and body mechanics.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS BOOK? Th roughout Section Two, information is presented
for students to begin the process of integrating theory
Th e Practice of Shiatsu grew out of a need for a concise, and practice by continuing to develop their touch
comprehensive textbook and workbook that can be sensitivity, outlining the components of the treatment
used for many shiatsu programs. It is designed as a session, conducting pretreatment interviews, and per-
teaching aid for entry-level shiatsu students or forming assessments. Th is is continued through em phasis
students who have had a small amount of shiatsu on moving beyond the kata into determining imbal-
training. Massage therapists or other bodyworkers who ances in one or more of the Five Elements. Students
are learning shiatsu, either as a continuing education learn to perform treatments that are more client centered
course or within a primary massage therapy program, and include specifi c work on one or more channels, as
can also benefi t from using Th e Practice of Shiatsu. well as recommendations for client self-care.
Th e book can be adapted to courses of varying For enhancement of the growth of students’ shiatsu
lengths and depth and encompasses all the elements treatments in a personal, creative style, additional tech-
necessary to teach students to become successful shiatsu niques are provided in the last chapter. Th ese include
practi tioners. Th e approach is to teach complex Eastern ways to work the hara, anterior legs and arms, neck,
philosophies, theories, and ideas in ways that are face, back, posterior legs, and more side position tech-
understandable to students in Western culture. Foun- niques. Body mechanics are reinforced throughout all
dational information and techniques are taught fi rst; techniques.
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DISTINCTIVE TEXTBOOK FEATURES
AND PEDAGOGY
Because shiatsu is essentially learned by doing, it is
important that students have relevant, readily appli-
cable material to learn from. Distinctive features make
this book both a textbook and a workbook and provide
methods for students to learn visually, auditorily, and
kinesthetically. Th ese features include the following:
■ Small blocks of text
■ Color photos of all techniques
■ Clear diagrams illustrating vital information, such
as Five Element cycles and hara assessment
■ Concrete examples of imbalances in each of the Five
Elements and how to address them
■ Margin notes of important and interesting
infor mation
■ Bibliography
In addition, there are learning aids for students:
■ Key terms at the beginning of each chapter
■ Learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter
■ Color diagrams of all channels (meridians) and
commonly used points (tsubo)
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■ Glossary of terms video showing the specifi c applications and techniques
■ Workbook activities that include the following: described in the book. Each video clip on the DVD is
■ Blank human fi gures on which students can referenced in the book through double-numbered
draw each of the channels (meridians) icons directing the students to where they can fi nd
■ Fill-in questions particular clips on the DVD.
■ Suggested drawings to demonstrate concepts Examples of video clips include the following:
■ How students should practice outside of ■ Exercise and stretches
1-1
class ■ Basic shiatsu techniques
■ How students should write up practice treat- ■ Basic Kata, including the hara techniques
ments outside of class ■ A standard treatment session
■ How to design a shiatsu intake form ■ Examples of the Five Elements
NOTE TO THE STUDENT
Because Th e Practice of Shiatsu has both theory and
technique, students should consider both of them
equally when learning shiatsu. Th eory can come alive
when students are willing to think of and view the
world in new ways, ask questions, and are open to
changes in themselves. A natural result of this will be
awareness of their own and their client’s Qi, which in
turn spurs growth as a shiatsu practitioner. Because the
only way to get better at doing shiatsu is to practice
shiatsu, students should make time for this important
aspect of learning. Th e more the student practices, the
more the theory becomes integrated and the more
useful theory becomes. Th is continues to be true as the
student becomes a professional and throughout the
professional shiatsu practitioner’s career. Th e Practice of
DVD Shiatsu should be used as a guide to this process. By
serving as a foundation, it can be a useful reference for
Available to students at the back of the book is a DVD professionals as they become more expert.
with almost 2 hours of proper shiatsu techniques and
a sample pretreatment interview. Th e book is sup- Sandra K. Anderson
ported by this DVD, which is playable both in set-top Tucson, Arizona
DVD players and in computers, and which includes June 2007
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