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Firstly
shiatsu can be described as a physiotherapy and is sometimes
referred to as Japanese physiotherapy. Shiatsu is so defined
because of the use practitioners make of gentle limb stretches.
This does not mean, however, that shiatsu is a manipulative
therapy. Shiatsu is a touch therapy which is very similar
to acupressure and acupuncture but no needles are used. Instead
gentle finger pressure is applied to acupressure points. Shiatsu
is a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure”.
Literally translated, “Shi” means finger and “atsu”
means pressure.
For
longer than recorded time, touching techniques such as Shiatsu
have been employed to relieve pain and to promote and maintain
health and vitality in animals. Shiatsu's use of pressure
gently stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.
According to the ideas based on the Chinese health model,
energy flows around the body in channels or meridians. This
energy is kept in balance by complementing qualities of Yin
and Yang. Energy that is out of balance will produce symptoms
of illness.
Treatment can be toning or sedating depending on whether energy
is deficient or in excess. Using pressure, rotation and stretches
of limbs, the Shiatsu practitioner stimulates and guides energy
to re-establish the balance of flow which is needed for good
health.
The
art of Shiatsu has been used to treat people for years, but
only in the last 25 years has it been adapted for the treatment
of horses. One of the pioneers in this field was the late
Pamela Hannay, senior instructor of the Ohashi Institute,
New York. Horses respond particularly well to Shiatsu as touch
is a natural form of communication for them.
The
5 elements
The
theory of the 5 elements is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine
and was developed after the theory of yin and yang. All symptoms
in nature were divided into 5 tendencies. i.e. 5 kinds of
energy. The meridians mentioned before all have energy with
associations to one of the 5 elements. The Chinese believe
that the entire universe is composed by these five elements.
Everything is built out of a combination of the five elements,
but there is always one element that dominates.
These
elements are: earth, metal, water, wood and fire.
For
more about the five elements and your horse see
here
How
can it help your horse?
Shiatsu
can assist with many physical problems (muscular/skeletal)
and can also help with behaviourial issues. It can help alleviate
tension and anxiety so can be a great answer to promoting
relaxation for your horse or can be used as part of a training
program
What
happens during a session
The
shiatsu session will normally take about 1 to 1 and a half
hours. I will ask you to complete some forms detailing your
contact information and some questions regarding your horse.
These are merely to help me decide the best shiatsu techniques
to use for your horse. I use a mixture of touching/massage
techniques and use acupressure points as well. I may also
do some gentle limb stretches.
Shiatsu
does not replace veterinary care. Should your horse show any
signs of ill health you should consult a veterinarian. Prior
to any shiatsu I will request that your veterinarian give
permission for your horse to have shiatsu.
How
will your horse react to shiatsu?
Reactions
to shiatsu vary. Some horse are quite reactive and others
do not show much until a couple of shiatsu sessions have been
done. During shiatsu I will be looking for the following signs
from your horse to help me establish whether the horse is
enjoying shiatsu
- Licking
and chewing
- yawning
- sleepiness
- tummy
rumbling
- quivering
lips
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