Shiatsu tried and tested

Shiatsu is a form of massage where pressure is applied on specific pressure points on your body. It is a form of physical therapy. I asked the therapist how it would improve my health. She said it helps by improving your Qi or Chi. That's the only reply I managed to get out of her.

I went for my first Shiatsu session, expecting a soothing relaxing massage. You know, the sort that would send you to sleep.

The room was furnished simply. Soothing music played in the background, a soft fragrance from the burner lent a very relaxing ambience to the room. A haven from the stressful life outside.

I was told to change to a comfortable cotton slip for the massage. Then, I lay face down on the massage table. There was a hole lined with cloth for you to rest your head.

I was ready. Then I felt a crushing pressure on my back, at intervals on the sides of my spine. That hurt. After a while, I got used to it. It was unnerving at first. She worked down to my buttocks. Not very pleasant. She pressed in round circles, on the pressure points there. Felt like pins and needles, numbing and unnerving. Then down to the back of my legs and then my calves.

The pressure was strong and I could feel the pressure right down to my bones. Even through those layers of fat.

As requested I turned over. She worked on the other side of my legs. Then on my arms and my hands next.

With all that done, my therapist washed her hands and started working on my face. She used a massage oil with lavender, geranium, lemon, orange and rosemary essential oils. Both relaxing and refreshing at the same time.

The facial massage was soothing at first. Around my face, my cheeks... until she started on my temples. I developed a headache during that massage. Fortunately, the headache went off when she stopped.

The amazing thing was that, after the hour long shiatsu massage, I felt more relaxed than I have been in weeks. My aching back felt great. That horrible tension in my shoulders was gone. I felt really good over all.

Guess this Shiatsu thing really works.