The Arcadia Massage Spa is a way of relaxation, but in its main it is a holistic bodywork. Shiatsu massage uses acupressure techniques which is applied with hands, thumbs, elbows and knees. The acupressure technique has its roots from the acupuncture therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The difference between acupuncture and acupressure is that in the first case the practitioner uses very thin needles but in the case of acupressure the therapist uses deep tissue pressure on the twelve body meridians.
Oriental shiatsu became very popular in Japan. At least one member of a Japanese family (usually women) practiced shiatsu massage to help their family members. Because of its many benefits shiatsu massage is considered to be a healing therapy, but I have to argue that. Shiatsu massage therapy is not healing the disease itself. Shiatsu has a direct affect on the meridians which in consequence help to unblock the meridian points where the chi is blocked and causes health problems. The oriental medicine philosophy says that the main cause of diseases is in the unbalanced chi in the body. Shiatsu massage is used to reach the harmony of chi in the human body.
Shiatsu Acupressure
Shiatsu acupressure massage uses merely the same points as acupuncture. The basic acupressure healing techniques are applied on the twelve body meridians. Along to these energy meridians are situated the acupressure points. The pressure on the points is made slowly and soft but deep and the patient may feel a little pain. The therapist uses all his body to create the pressure on the meridians. To apply shiatsu the patient has to change his positions lying on the back, on his stomach and on the two sides. This gives to the therapist the possibility to workout each energetic point of the meridians.
Zen shiatsu
Zen Shiatsu was introduced firstly by Shizuto Masunaga. Zen is a way of meditation. Master Masunaga believed that a shiatsu therapist should practice zen meditation. Zen helps to achieve harmony of body and mind and it helps to understand the chi behavior inside the body and the concept of shiatsu meridians and their affects upon the general health of the patient. Meridians chart describes the whole systems of the body as a unique energy system where the chi flows. Shiatsu massage helps to maintain the harmony of the shiatsu meridians system.