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There is common ground between Shiatsu and Western massage. Both systems are wonderful ways of relieving stress and promoting health and they focus on the body of the person to be treated. Further, neither system uses any sophisticated electronic or mechanical machinery in the diagnosis or implementation of treatment. The third common ground is that both Shiatsu and massage are classified in most of the Western World to remain outside the bastion of Western medicine, which is based on current Western mainstream scientific tradition. Outside Japan both Shiatsu and Western massage share the outfields of non-traditional treatment or alternative medicine with Healing, Reiki, Hypnosis or Crystal Healing.

Shiatsu practitioners tend to distance themselves from the bandwagon of alternative treatment approaches like Reiki or faith healing by demonstrating their usage of anatomy, physiology and pathology in the same vein as Western medicine. This could be one of the explanations for the great popularity of Shiatsu in the West as it bridges the West and the East.

When we explore the differences between Shiatsu and Western massage, we notice four main differences.

The historical evolution of the treatments. Technique used and ingredients in treatment. The philosophy behind the approach and the essence, which every practitioner attempts to capture. The nature of derivative systems that have emerged.

Body massage might be one of the oldest forms of medical care known to man. Though we may not know what the ancient Egyptian practitioners actually believed in, Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged. A Chinese book from 2,700 B.C., The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, recommends massage of skin and flesh as the appropriate treatment for many ailments. Ayurveda, the 5000-year old traditional Indian system of medicine, greatly stresses the therapeutic benefits of massage with aromatic oils and spices. Writing in the 8th century BC, Homer of Greece mentions massage being used commonly also for Olympic athletes in the same way as it is used today.

1. The History and Evolution of Shiatsu

Though the earliest modern reference to the term Shiatsu in a publication might be the 1915 Japanese book, Shiatsu Ryöhö written by Tenpaku Tamai, Tokujiro Namikoshi’s (1905-2000) followers consider him to be the founder of Shiatsu. His approach was entirely different from the Chinese meridian or Qi-based therapies. Namikoshi at age seven in 1912 independently developed a technique of pressing with his thumbs and palms as he tried to nurse his mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Namikoshi’s influence on Shiatsu can be compared to the role of Picasso in art because he not only created an important genre, but also became an inspiration for many other creators of derivative therapies.

Tokujiro Namikoshi opened his first clinic for Shiatsu Therapy in 1925 in Hokkaido using the system that he perfected. In addition to founding in 1940 the first school of Shiatsu Therapy in Tokyo (Now known as the Japan Shiatsu College), Namikoshi was involved with the legal recognition of Shiatsu in Japan, which may account for his emphasis on Western medical theories. Namikoshi achieved fame and successfully treated many high-ranking persons such as the former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida. As his fame spread foreign celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali sought his treatment. Currently in Japan, Namikoshi’s system enjoys special legal status. Starting from 1947, after an eight-year clinical investigation period to ascertain which of 300 treatments could be legalised, the Ministry of Health of Japan acknowledged Shiatsu Therapy, as it proved effective. Shiatsu was placed in the same category with Anma and Western Massage in 1955.

In 1964 Shiatsu was acknowledged as a separate therapy on its own in Japan. Everyone practising Shiatsu in Japan should obtain a licence from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Licensing also requires that Shiatsu practitioners study a 2,500-hour educational program of Shiatsu therapy lasting about three years in the universities or colleges authorized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and pass the national exam.

2. Technique used and ingredients in treatment

The second difference between Shiatsu and Western massage is in technique and in the use of ingredients like oils and spices. Shiatsu technique relies on finger and palm pressure, while western massage uses a rubbing motion. Since shiatsu does not involve rubbing, no oil or lotion is ever used during a treatment.

3. Philosophy of Western Massage and Shiatsu

The third and main difference comes from the philosophy behind Western Massage and Shiatsu.

The principal difference between Shiatsu and other modern Western forms of bodywork, e.g., Swedish massage, is that Shiatsu is a form of holistic healing while modern Western massage is based on conventional Western views of wellness and healing. Western massage usually considers the human body the domain of the masseur while the mind is the domain of psychology and psychiatry. Adapting a holistic approach, Shiatsu regulates the nervous system and promotes natural healing by stimulating chemical responses in the body.

Western massage is based on the idea that muscle tension and improper alignment may cause or worsen physical, mental and internal imbalances. Massage techniques attempt to reduce tension within the body to facilitate the free flow of blood and energy. This in turn makes the major systems of the body (immune, circulatory, nervous, etc.) to be better able to naturally heal disease and promote health and well-being.

In Shiatsu, there are 838 basic shiatsu pressure points, or Atten in Japanese, located on the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymph vessels, bones and endocrine glands. Depending on the condition of the body, the therapist applies proper types of pressure. The tighter the muscles are, the lighter the pressure. As the muscles relax, the pressure becomes deeper but is always firm and steady. This triggers the release of hormones and body chemicals necessary to heal, to soothe and to make you mind and body perform optimally. This method of triggering the own healing system of the body does not produce side effects or toxins and is thus a totally healthy way of getting relief from ailments.

Looked at casually from far Shiatsu whole-body charts can be confused with Qi or meridian charts used in Chinese medicine. But Namikoshi Shiatsu practitioners are quick to point out that Namikoshi’s style of Shiatsu places emphasis only on regions based on anatomy and physiology rather than on energy channels/pathways/meridians. Shiatsu works the whole body (including doing stretches).

4. Derivative treatments

The last area of difference between Shiatsu and Western massage is that of derivatives. Derivative Shiatsu usually refers to the other current styles of Shiatsu, which have evolved after Namikoshi Shiatsu, such as Meridian Shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu, Tao Shiatsu, Tsubo Shiatsu, Ohashiatsu and Quantum Shiatsu. None of these derivative styles are recognised by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Within Western massage there are many styles and techniques, which focus on particular areas of the body (e.g., deep tissue massage, tendo-muscular massage, scalp massage, etc.). However, Western Massage can be broadly grouped into three camps, sports massage, well-being massage and erotic massage. Sports massage aims to get the athlete in fit shape and ensure superior performance. Creating a certain type of ambience with candles, colours, incense or music is very important to well-being and erotic massage but almost totally absent in sports massage. The camp of well-being massage displays the widest divergence in different types of derivative forms like aromatherapy, reflexology or deep tissue massage.

Sensuous massage or erotic massage has been a derivative of traditional massage for centuries in all parts of the world but to date there is no sensuous or erotic Shiatsu therapy.

Shiatsu and Western massage do have common ground but differ much in theory, philosophy and practice. However, in spite of the differences, the aim of both systems is the same – a balanced, healthy and happy individual.

References:

Tokujiro Namikoshi, Japanese Finger-Pressure Therapy Shiatsu. Japan Publishing – (1974) Tokujiro Namikoshi, SHIATSU; HEALTH AND VITALITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Japan Publishing – (1971) The Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy The Shiatsupractor Association of Canada

The use of herbs for treatment of hemorrhoids goes back to ancient times. There are many benefits for using herbal treatments including cost,availability, and effectiveness. To top off the benefits is while many modern treatments have site effects, herbal treatments have none.

Many of these herbs are found in today’s commercial preparations and they have formed the cornerstone of hemorrhoid treatment for many years. Most are easily found and can be used topically on the affected area. Herbs listed as astringents also cleanse the affected area. Removal of bacteria is important in helping heal hemorrhoids.

Here are the top five herbs useful for treating hemorrhoids.

Witch Hazel — This is a powerful astringent and it is often used in commercial preparations. Witch Hazel extract constricts blood vessels and so will reduce inflammation and swelling. Witch Hazel is most useful for external hemorrhoids.

Butcher’s Broom — Like Witch Hazel, Butcher’s Broom has the ability to constrict blood vessels but along with this it can also strengthen the blood vessels. This not only reduces inflammation it also helps prevent hemorrhoids from coming back.

Horse Chestnut — Seed from Horse Chestnut has been in use in Europe and Asia for hundreds of years for health purposes. It contains an enzyme called aescin which has been shown to improve elasticity of veins. Horse Chestnut has been used in treating both varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Japanese Pagoda Tree – Long used for hemorrhoid treatment, extract from this tree is known to strengthen veins and improve their health. The extract also reduces the itching and pain that come along with hemorrhoids.

Aloe Vera — Aloe Vera can be directly applied to hemorrhoids and it reduces the burning associated with inflamed blood vessels.

These herbs are effective treatments for hemorrhoids. They are a few of many natural treatments for hemorrhoids. Alone the herbs are effective for mild cases of hemorrhoids but when used together and with diet and other common sense methods they can take on even severe cases of hemorrhoids. Older people often loose elasticity of the veins around the anus, thus Horse Chestnut is indicated as a treatment to help cure the condition.

As you begin to treat your hemorrhoids try to understand the cause. If you have difficulty using the bathroom you need to address that by increasing fiber in your diet. If you are over weight, suffer from poor posture, or cause your hemorrhoids by improper lifting then you need to eliminate these causes so you can treat and eliminate your hemorrhoids.

Non-surgical treatment of hemorrhoids using herbal treatment is the most cost-effective hemorrhoid treatment available.

In this modern world where the exchange of information happens in a blink of an eye, it is quite amazing to note that there are still a lot of people who do not know about fibromyalgia.

Essentially, fibromyalgia is a kind of muscle disorder that affects not only a specific muscle of the body, but various body systems as well. Symptoms of this disease could show up in your respiratory, digestive, genitourinary, and nervous system. Fibromyalgia is not your usual muscle disorder.

Aside from the fact that it is often mistaken for arthritis, there are a lot of things that many people still do not know about it. As an example, if we would compare arthritis and fibromyalgia with one another, we can come up with a lot of differences between the two. For one, arthritis includes swelling or inflammation of the joints whereas fibromyalgia does not.

As I have stated a while ago, fibromyalgia is not a household word. Thus, a lot of people, even medical practitioners and some physicians, are clueless about it. Researchers are still looking for specific and precise ways to cure it. Nevertheless, it is already noted that one of the most common causes of fibromyalgia is stress. Stress heavily affects the body. It weakens the immune system; thus, making us prone to sickness. This is one of the projected reasons why fibromyalgia, though a muscle disorder, does not content itself with causing nuisance to the muscular system.

Thankfully, there are already treatments and medications recommended to people who are suffering from this disease. Most of these treatments are simple. An example is to live a healthy lifestyle. Patients suffering from this disorder are advised to relax and take a break from stressful activities. And when one talks about healthy living, eating the right kind of diet is automatically included in the plan.

The next “health tip” may bring you memories of your parents reading you bedtime stories, but really, sleep is a very important part of living healthy. As we grow up, we often disregard rest because we are too busy with our lives. However, no matter how we condition our minds to be productive and adapt the successful habits of a workaholic, our body will always look for ways for it to rest.

Our body is like a machine; too much use would cause it to break down. The body finds ways. When you get sick because of fatigue, it is the body claiming the “rest” that it needs. To add to the natural and easy way of treating one’s self from fibromyalgia, medications are prescribed. These drugs are to be taken only when prescribed by a physician.

Pain is a hallmark symptom of fibromyalgia. The pain caused by fibromyalgia can either be centralized in one specific portion of the body or distributed to different parts. They can range from tolerable discomforts to extreme and excruciatingly chronic pain. It is for this reason that medications like analgesic and pain-relievers can help in easing the pain. There is still no known drug that would cure fibromyalgia holistically. But taking pain-relievers can help a lot in reducing the pain felt by the body.

Fibromyalgia may be something you do not hear everyday. But, you must always take an extra step in finding out whether you have it or not. The line “health is wealth” is a clich

In the modern world, technology is going in a rapid pace to help us in many ways. Facial wash and medication might not be able to stop acne from growing. Therefore, one of the ways is laser treatment and it is usually used for surgery for pin point accuracy. So how laser treatment can help acne patient? The answer is right here in this article.

Curiosity kills the cat. In this context, curiosity would help you see the benefit of modern treatment for acne which is laser treatment. It works by using a small and powerful laser which is focused on acne around the face. Acne is caused by over production of oil in the skin by oil glands and laser treatment destroys the glands. This is to ensure that the glands do not produce anymore oils that will be heaven for bacteria growth and ultimately stopping growth of acne. For your knowledge, laser treatment does not seem as destructive as it is but it is a painless treatment that we can consider.

However, laser treatment is not entirely perfect in a way to stop acne on your face. Medication is still needed to ensure that the acne does not break again. This is where antibiotic comes into the picture where it will reduce the bacteria growth in glands. Oil production will eventually slow and halt, there will be fewer outbreak of acne on your face.

Old wound usually leaves a scar and this might be very serious for certain people. Laser can help to remove acne scars and leaving smooth skin on your face. It works by removing the upper layer of on our face near and around the scar. The upper layer is sometimes called dead cell which has a characteristic of dark mark on your face. By removing the upper layer, new skin cells will grow, covering the old scar which makes the scar less visible.

In terms of spiritual context, removal of acne scar can help to build up confidence of an individual. They will be more confident when facing the public and confidence is everything to them. Beauty is everything for women and also men nowadays, therefore, laser treatment for acne can help to enhance their beauty.

For both scar and acne treatment, acne laser treatment has some point to prove as an efficient way to reduce or stop acne. Sometimes several treatments are needed to effectively remove the acne and especially scar treatment. The cost of laser treatment is quite expensive but the results are what every man and women out there wants.

Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium,

Herbal medicine is a popular alternative cure in treating health-related problems or in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These medicines are composed of 100% natural ingredients from plants and animals that can target specific areas in the human body and supporting its function.

As a cost-effective solution to common illnesses and major diseases, herbal medicines are quite popular with average individuals that cannot afford expensive modern medical treatments. Modern individuals of Asian countries, like China and Japan, are known to practice the use of herbal medicines in their daily life since ancient times.

All Medicines Are Risky

Despite the fact that herbal medicines uses natural ingredients as its composition, these form of treatment still has some risks involved when it is not properly prescribed or administered to an individual. In most cases in using any types of medicines; malpractice, which involves inaccurate prescription and instructions can be deadly to the human body.

To avoid this problem, it is best to practice caution when it comes to consulting an expert and purchasing the medicine you are opting for in this kind of alternative treatment method. First, you need to consult a doctor, physician or an herbalist regarding what type of herbal medicine would best address your health problems.

During the consultation, they will be asking you certain question regarding the status of your health, as well as the medications that you are currently taking to treat it. It is best to answer them truthfully considering that their prescription and instructions will solely depend on your answer.

Careful With Your Purchase

Another factor that involves the health risks of herbal medicines is the actual product itself. If you plan to purchase the medicine in raw form in any retail shops in your area, then you better make sure that there are no other herbs mixed into it. You might also want to determine if these medicines are carefully prepared or properly sealed to avoid any outside contamination.

If you are planning to acquire commercialized herbal products in retail stores, then it is advisable that you only purchase from credible and trustworthy companies. Check the labels carefully to make sure that everything is in order and determine if the seal is tampered with or not. You might want to consult your doctor if they can refer you to an agent or a store that can sell you these quality products that will help you in your treatment.

It is true that the practice of herbal medicine is well-documented in known medical texts around the globe; it even serves as the foundation of modern medicine. But the risk factor in choosing a wrong product, as well as some malpractice in both you and with the professional that you consulted with regarding this matter is very much evident.