There are two main schools of Shiatsu:

1. Nippon Style Shiatsu, developed by Tokujiro Namikoshi, which in Japan is based exclusively on Western medical concepts but in Europe and the USA incorporates some aspects of Traditional Oriental Medicine.
2. Zen Shiatsu, developed by Shizuto Masunaga, which is based on the principles of Traditional Oriental Medicine but integrates Western physiology and psychology.

There are also other methods of Shiatsu that incorporate aspects of both of the above methods in varying degrees.

The method that I practice is Zen Shiatsu.  It differs very much from Western style massage as it is practiced on mats on the floor rather than on a massage table, no oil is used, and the recipient wears loose comfortable clothing.  The technique involves stretching and leaning body weight onto areas of the recipient’s body.  Pressure is mainly applied using hands, thumbs and fingers, and occasionally the forearms, knees and feet are also used. The treatment is focused along the acupuncture channels known as meridians.  

These meridians carry the subtle body energy known as Chi or Ki.  There is no accepted equivalent of Chi in Western Medicine;  Chi is roughly translated as ‘essential life energy of the body, mind and spirit’.  According to Traditional Oriental Medicine, the effective flow of Chi within the body is the basis of health.  All illness, disease, pain and tension is a result of blockages in the flow of Chi.  The existence of Chi has yet to be recognised by Western Medicine mainly because it is so subtle that the technology required to measure it has only recently been developed.  As this technology further develops Western Medicine will eventually be revolutionised by the recognition of Chi and the combination of traditional techniques with these new technologies.

Shiatsu releases blockages in the flow of Chi, and thus heals and relaxes the whole person to a very deep level.  The first time I received a Shiatsu massage I remember telling the therapist afterwards that although I had felt very relaxed after various Western-style massages, Shiatsu had left me feeling peaceful.  This is due to its holistic qualities – it calms the mind, emotions and spirit a well as the body.

Shiatsu is a full-body treatment normally lasting 50-60 minutes and often includes a head and face massage.

Various forms of reflexology have existed in indigenous societies across all continents for thousands of years.  The earliest known reference to a form of reflexology is an illustration on the walls of the physician’s tomb at Saqqara in Egypt.  In China it was a precursor to the development of the acupuncture system.  It was introduced to the West as Zone Therapy in 1913 in the USA by Dr William H Fitzgerald and Dr Edwin Bowers.  But it was the work of Eunice Ingham, a nurse and physiotherapist, in the 1930s that gave reflexology its name and provided the foundations of most current menthods.

There has been very little scientific research done to help us understand how reflexology works, but it is generally believed that as the feet contain hundreds of thousands of nerve endings, the stimulation of these nerve endings sends messages to the brain to regulate the corresponding area of the body.  This idea is further supported by the fact that reflexology produces instant results for the nervous system, as it is an extremely relaxing therapy.  It has also been shown to have positive effects on more chronic nervous conditions.

It is very effective also for the endocrine system, bringing significant improvements to problems caused by hormonal imbalances.  It has also been shown to be effective for the digestive and circulatory systems, and helps regulate imbalances in all of the other body systems.  It has a balancing effect on all of the organs of the body and has even produced results for some chronic conditions considered incurable by allopathic medicine.  It is not an instant miracle cure however.  As with most holistic treatments one or two sessions of reflexology can be very effective for acute conditions, but chronic long-term conditions will usually require a longer term course of treatments in order to see results.

On a more holistic level it calms the mind and brings clarity to the emotions, and as it puts the recipient into a meditative state it can facilitate spiritual awareness and has been known on occasion to help bring on a spiritual experience.

The essential oils work in 2 ways:

1. During the massage they are absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream.  This is more effective than taking medicines or herbs orally as it bypasses the digestive system.
2. The aromas are sensed through the nose, that is attached to a part of the brain called the limbic system.  The limbic system influences the nervous system, hormones and emotions, and helps to regulate heart rate, breathing, memory, digestion and stress levels.

Aromatherapy massage therefore is more holistic than normal massage, as the oils have a direct positive effect on the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the recipient.   Combined with the physical benefits of a relaxing massage this makes aromatherapy a healing, uplifting and sensual experience.