Treatment: What to expect

Shiatsu is traditionally performed at floor level on a large cushioned pad or futon, although, for those who find it difficult to get down to floor level, some work can be done with the client sitting. In both cases, the practitioner works predominately from above, as this allows the use their body weight to perform stretches and apply pressure correctly and accurately.

Clients remain fully clothed throughout the treatment, and all aspects of the treatment remain absolutely confidential.

The treatment consists of a series of gentle stretches and the application of pressure to meridians, and specific ‘acupuncture' points. Pressure is usually applied using the thumbs or palms of the hands, although in some positions, elbows and knees can also be used.

Sometimes more physical work akin to physiotherapy is required, and sometimes purely ‘energetic' work is used. Every treatment is individually tailored to the client and specifically to how the client presents at the time of treatment. Thus different visits may have some similarities, but it is rare for them to be the same.

Most people find Shiatsu a deeply relaxing experience. It is not unusual for clients to fall asleep during a treatment.

The first time you visit, Andrew will spend some time discussing your general health and gathering information to enable him to make a diagnosis of your condition. Although the cost to you is the same, you should allow an hour and a half for your first consultation and treatment. Subsequent visits will usually last about an hour of which about forty to fifty minutes will be spent in treatment. The rest of the time will be spent catching up on how you are before treatment starts, and in quiet ‘recovery' time following the treatment.

Although Shiatsu is a safe technique, there are a few important things that you need to tell Andrew before treatment. He needs to know whether you are on any medication, whether you have a history of heart problems or low blood pressure, and whether there is any possibility that you may be pregnant. None of these factors will prevent treatment, but each require special consideration within the treatment outline.

Adverse reactions to shiatsu are rare, and when they occur, tend to take the form of an ache in the area being treated. This is temporary, rarely lasting more than an hour or so, and is indicative of the healing process. Occasionally, clients can experience some kind of ‘release', particularly where their condition is related to emotional issues. Depending on how the condition manifests, this can take the form of an emotional outburst such as tears or anger, a mental revisiting of past events or even hallucination. All these are very short lived, commonly lasting a couple of minutes at most and are important parts of the treatment. They are, if anything, to be welcomed as part of the healing process. Whatever happens, Andrew has probably seen it many times before, and will not make judgements, or be embarrassed - so neither should you.