In Japanese, Shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ but shiatsu therapists also use thumbs, palms, heels of hands, forearms etc to apply the appropriate amount of pressure to the client receiving treatment.

Other techniques are utilised in a shiatsu treatment according to the needs of the client and include working with the breath, stretches, holding, support, movement and articulation of joints, manipulation of muscular tissue and fascia.

Shiatsu originated in Japan and is a body therapy based on touch and sensation. Shiatsu’s Japanese roots can be seen in its Zen influences, including meditation, which encourages us to self-reflect and listen to our intuition. Shiatsu also has roots in the classical meridian pathways of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element Theory and the philosophy of Daoism.