Shiatsu for Back Pain

Shiatsu offers something different to sufferers of back pain.  For a start, there's the body cushion I use.  This ergonomically designed, whole body support, allows a person with back pain to lie face down, without compressing the lumbar or cervical spine, in fact, it gently elongates the spine.  Whatever a client comes for, the first time they lie face down on the cushion, it is common for them to comment on how comfortable the cushion is.  My tutor recommended getting the body cusion when I was training, I was also pregnant.  As my belly got bigger, it was such a relief to be able to lie face down on the cushion, releasing my back.

The treatment:

A Shiatsu for back pain is still a bespoke treatment - there is no set routine. Everyone's pain is unique, as is the cause of the pain.  I start by gently assessing movement and tone in the muscles either side of the spine.  Once I have located which areas need work, I work to dissipate tension and stagnation as well as bringing blood/energy to areas that are weak.  I'll often then work on the acupuncture points along the spine, known as Yu points, assessing which ones are full and which ones are empty and using either small movement or stillness to bring them into balance.  One of my favourite techniques for back issues is a bit like Cranial Sacral therapy; I hold the occiput and sacrum and work with the breath to create more space in the spine.  This is a really subtle part of the treatment, but incredibly effective.  If necessary, I will also assess for misalignment and perform a correction.

The big bonus with using Shiatsu to treat back pain is that it is also a very relaxing treatment.  As the spine is governed by Bladder energy, which is paired with Kidney (and Adrenal) energy, working the spine also works directly on the nervous system and stress response.  Most people switch into the parasympathetic nervous system during Shiatsu back treatments, which means that their body switches into relaxation and healing mode.  This helps release tension in the muscles, including those supporting the spine, allowing them to relax, creating more space inbetween the vertebrae.  It also means that rather than having a treatment spefically for the spine, the client ends up feeling like they have also had a treatment to aid relaxation, allowing them to feel like they've had a whole body reset. They leave the treatment room not only feeling more comfortable, but also rested, calm, and lighter.