If you are among those people who consider massage therapy as the best way to relax and loosen up, then you are probably aware that there are a lot of massage techniques/styles that a therapist can perform. These techniques differ on the stroke, the application of pressure or in other words, it is how they are performed that makes the techniques different from one another. One of the most popular technique at present and even before is the Shiatsu massage. This particular technique actually originated from Japan and this is when a therapist applies pressure to certain points of your body which are also known as acupressure points. During a Shiatsu massage, the therapist only use his/her fingers, palms and elbows to perform the massage and it may take up to an hour or more. If you get this type of massage technique even two times a week, it may eliminate arthritis pain, stiffness or the muscles, tension and joint pains. In other words, blood circulation in your body will be improved as well as your overall health condition. But how is a Shiatsu massage really being performed?

Unlike other massage techniques that are best performed on a massage bed or chair, Shiatsu is best performed when you are lying on the floor and you’re faced up. Then you’ll be required by the therapist to take a deep breath for approximately ten minutes so that oxygen can get inside your body and penetrate in your muscles. In this way, you will get a more comfortable massage. For about fifteen minutes, using his/her fingers and palms, the therapist will gently massage your head and your face to improve the blood circulation in such areas. By doing this, your face will be relaxed and will have a healthier glow.

After the head and face, the therapist will then move on to massaging your neck and shoulder area down to the arms and chest area. And this time, he/she will be using her/his palms and thumbs to apply light pressure in a circular and clockwise motion to open up your energy channels. Then down to the part where the kidneys are located for the purpose of helping the kidneys release the toxins from the body.

When the therapist is already done with those areas, next in line would be the legs and feet area. Massaging these parts may take up to about fifteen minutes and most of the time; the therapist’s elbows are going to be used. You will then be asked to rack back and forth or stretch your feet upwards together with your hand because this can also improve the blood circulation. After this, you can take a deep breath again for a couple of minutes before you slowly sit up. It would be better if you take a glass of water to help remove or flush the toxins out the body.

On the other hand, aside from massage therapists, Shiatsu massage can also be provided by massage chairs. If you try to shop around, you will be able to find a lot of massage chairs that are designed to also perform different massage techniques and styles. So if you are not able to visit a therapist, you can consider a massage chair as a good alternative.