What is Shiatsu?

 

Shiatsu in Pregnancy & Labour

I must admit, before I met the lovely Hannah Mackay, I had little idea about what Shiatsu actually was.

The first thing that sprang to mind was a small fluffy handbag dog.

So, What is Shiatsu?

"Shiatsu is a physical therapy that supports and strengthens the body’s natural ability to heal and balance itself.

It works on the whole person - not just a physical body, but also a psychological, emotional and spiritual being.

Shiatsu originated in Japan from traditional Chinese medicine, with influences from more recent Western therapies.

Although shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ in Japanese, in practise a practitioner uses touch, comfortable pressure and manipulative techniques to adjust the body’s physical structure and balance its energy flow.

It is a deeply relaxing experience and regular treatments can alleviate stress and illness and maintain health and well-being." Shiatsu Society.

Shiatsu can be used:

• Relax and engergise
• Help connect with your baby
• Reduce Nausea
• Reduce Back Pain
• Help reduce Pelvic Pain (SPD - Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction)
• Induce labour if you are overdue
• Decrease pain in childbirth
• Help with breastfeeding
• Post-natal: Help release birth trauma

Shiatsu Practitioners can vary in experience and knowledge when it comes to pregnancy and birth, so if you are interested in using shiatsu for pregnancy, birth & postnatal care - check out www.wellmother.org

Hannah Mackay is one of the leading Pregnancy and Birth Shiatsu Practitioners in the North West. For more information please see: Hannah Mackay - Shiatsu