EASTERN VS. WESTERN TYPES OF BODY WORK
The most popular form of Eastern bodywork is a Japanese finger pressure therapy called Shiatsu.
Shiatsu is based on Traditional Chinese medicine and the theory of Meridians as the energy pathways and movement of Qi (life force). Since the 1960’s Shiatsu has grown significantly in both North America and Europe.
On the other hand, the most popular Western type of bodywork, Swedish massage, was one of the first massage therapy techniques introduced to North America.
Swedish massage is based on the manipulation of the soft tissue, and is an an essential part of Aromatherapy and Hot Stone Therapy.
Swedish massage and Shiatsu view the body in a different way so the treatments itself will be very different.
In the West the health is viewed as a state of the body free of disease and pain. The therapist must be very knowledgeable of anatomy, physiology and pathology in order to be precise in the diagnosing process as possible. Anatomical body parts are often viewed as separate units so a proper insight might include referrals to specialists such as one for eyes, kidneys, heart etc. If diagnosis is meticulous, and the location of the problem is exact, the treatment and care prescribed will address the illness in the right way that will eventually bring the client (patient) back to their original, desired state of health.
In the East there is a belief that the body/mind system is in constant motion, and that the parts affect the whole person and vice versa. Your environment, emotional build-ups, food and people you live with affect your system in a big way. Health is measured by the quality of flow.
Qi has to flow; a life energy derived from ingested food, from air and created within the body has to move constantly. If there is an obstruction of the flow it will manifest itself as pain or illness. The therapist has to find the source of imbalance but because of the constant fluidity the diagnosis will be less precise and described, sometimes, in rather metaphorical way. In general, an energy (Chi) balance and the right nutrition mobilize the body’s own healing force (immune system).
Regardless of differences, both approaches agree that massage in any form provide therapeutic touch that helps to control the pain, improve circulation and lymphatic flow, and to reduce blood pressure and the effects of autoimmune diseases.
On the psychological level massages increase vitality and provide a sense of general well-being.
