Chronic Pain and Fatigue, Can Shiatsu Help?

Let’s get right to the point. Yes, Shiatsu can help with chronic pain and fatigue. First I’ll discuss chronic pain and fatigue then discuss how shiatsu can help. Chronic pain is pain that has lasted for over 6 months. It can cause inactivity, weakness and inflexibility of the muscles. The body cannot circulate blood and dispose of toxic waste effectively. Cancer, fibromyalgia and arthritis, spinal injuries, headaches, and nerve damage can cause chronic pain. This differs from the acute pain that results from immediate trauma or a condition that warns the body that something is awry. In effect there is no function for chronic pain; it has long served its purpose for warning.

Pain is perceived differently by each individual. Factors that can influence perception include: emotional and mental attitudes, previous experiences, and developmental predispositions. It can be frustrating for those who suffer from chronic pain where there is no physical explanation. Their pain is real and it important for the therapist to recognize this. Fatigue can be a result of chronic pain or vice versa. Usually fatigue and chronic pain are felt together. Poor diet/lifestyle, medication, excess mental stress and illness are contributing factors. Fatigue can be felt physically through headaches, malaise and insomnia. Also psychologically through poor memory, fogginess, anxiety, frustration and depression. These symptoms can make it difficult for people to live their daily life normally. They can also lead to dependencies on medication or even on people. Shiatsu addresses both the physical and psychologically aspects of chronic pain and fatigue. In the traditional sense, shiatsu brings the body into balance. Pain is the blockage of Ki (vital energy) and shiatsu moves this blockage so Ki can circulate uninhibited. When Ki circulates it enables the body to perform all its necessary functions for good health. For more information: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_9_36/ai_n16765893 From a Western perspective, shiatsu treats the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) which controls the body's internal state. It is responsible for unconscious activities such as: digestion, heart rate, respiration, etc. The PNS promotes the calming and relaxing the body and mind. When the PNS is stimulated healing begins. This is an important aspect in the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue. My shiatsu treatments always involve your participation in treatment planning. Together we discuss the location of pain, triggers, what aggravates or relieves it. We go over your daily routines: sleep, diet, work habits, etc., and make changes. Energy can improve significantly and can be immediate. Shiatsu treatments plus lifestyle changes - the results can be amazing! Please feel free to contact me anytime. I would love to hear from you.

Shiatsu at the Downtown Jazz Festival's Artisan Village

The Downtown Jazz Festival's Artisan Village is on from June 20 - 29, 2008 at Nathan Phillips Square! I'll be there promoting and providing the benefits of Shiatsu on Saturday June 21st 12pm - 6pm and Tuesday June 24th 12pm - 8pm. Click on the image for more details. Come by the booth and say Hi. Peruse the village. It will be a fun and exciting event with musicians and artists throughout the square. Lots to see and do. I'll see you there. ~ JoAnn Booth # 17 - south east corner of pool/ice rink.

The Benefits of Shiatsu.

Shiatsu is beneficial for many reasons. It can be used as a tool to prevent illness by decreasing stress, relieving pain and gives the therapist a tool to "read" the body. In effect I have treated insomnia, chronic and acute pain, headaches and anxiety. Treatments are used to balance the body. For example, if you have a pounding headache, most of your energy is in the top half of your body. I will almost always work on your feet before your head. Why? To bring that energy down and ground you. During the treatment your breathing will slow and become deeper. This will have a very calming. Another example would be pain/stiffness in the hip. After the assessment I will determine which channel the pain/stiffness lie. Shiatsu is about balance. The area of pain could be considered jitsu - an excess of energy. Close by, there will be a kyo area - a deficiency. The treatment will entail moving the excess towards the deficient. Good pain will be felt. That "ah" feeling is the movement of energy. Pain is decreased and the body feels more balanced. Shiatsu is a full body treatment that includes Hara, the body's centre. Hara diagnosis allows me to have an energetic understanding as to what is happening in the body. Again, I look for jitsu and kyo areas. Hara diagnosis allows me to note: fatigue, neck pain, a busy mind, constipation or irritability. The shiatsu technique involves longer/deeper holding on kyo and shorter/dispersing pressure on jitsu. This results in balancing the body's energetics. The effect is felt immediately and even days afterwards.

Balance is key to our body wellness. We should not always be too happy, angry, sad and stressed for long periods of time. We should not suffer pain, headaches or even PMS. There is an imbalance. Shiatsu allows the body to balance and heal. Wellness is the goal.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006

It is slowly coming to fruition - Transitional Council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) has been established. Therefore, in a few years the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) will become regulated. This is important as it is a means of protecting the Ontario public by assessing and determining the qualifications of those who practice TCM in Ontario. The CTCMPAO will regulate it's members as the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, Optometrists, Massage Therapists and Physiotherapists do. I will keep you up to date on the progress of the TC-CTCMPAO.

Treating Headaches with Shiatsu

Shiatsu is very effective in treating headaches. Before treating, I want to know:

1. Where is it?
2. How long have you had it?
3. What does it feel like
4. What are the triggers? What makes it feel better?

It is important to treat the whole body and focus on channels where the headaches lie. Generally, shiatsu treatments include head, face, neck, back, arms and legs: grasping the muscles and applying acupressure on key points such as GB 20, LI 4 and LV 3. Organs (energetically speaking), involved usually include Liver, Bladder, and Stomach. They are usually imbalanced and it is the job of your therapist to bring harmony back to your body.

An assesment is necessary to determine the type of headache you experience and how to rid yourself of them for good.

Please contact me should you have and questions.

Cleansing with Tea

It's - Spring. Time for a cleanse, regrowth and change. The Liver is the Organ responsible for detoxifying the body. Toxins such as alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides (found in fruits and vegtables) accumulate over time and tax the Liver. It is important to rid the Liver of these toxins and help in its function. Part of my cleanse involves drinking this tea to cleanse my Liver, Blood, and Kidneys. It is composed of: Milk Thistle, Nettle, Chickweed, Barberry, Cornsilk and Red Clover. Signs of a congested Liver include: irritability, headaches, distention, skin problems and sluggishness. Before starting a Liver Cleanse or ingesting these or any herbs, always consult your physician.