The Shiatsu session

The session takes place in a calm, light and airy treatment room, and is conducted on a futon mattress at floor level, with additional support as appropriate from body cushions. A specialist chair is also available for some treatments, or for when an individual cannot lie on the floor. There is no need to remove any clothing.

After taking a case history, I will carry out an individualised treatment appropriate to your needs, lasting 45-50 minutes. I will encourage feedback from you either during or after a treatment to enable you to get the most out of each visit, and to work with you, rather than simply do things to you. Sessions will vary according to your specific requirements, and will usually involve working the whole body, not just the area causing problems.

Each session uses focused techniques to improve Qi flow in your body. These may be invigorating - such as rocking, dynamic stretches, joint mobilisation; or more gentle - such as gentle pressure or holding. Pressure will be applied to specific meridians and/or acupuncture points using a combination of palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and feet. Techniques may also be used to correct structural imbalances where appropriate, encouraging greater flexibility and re-aligning posture.

After the session, you will be given a few moments to rest quietly, after which we will discuss your treatment. This may include some achievable recommendations for you to incorporate, to assist the body's return to a more balanced state.

Effects of a session may be felt immediately, or after several days, as your body goes through a physiological rebalancing process.

Normally you will feel relaxed or energised- or somewhere in-between! Occasionally there may be healing reactions due to re-alignment of the body and release of toxins - these are short-lived and a sign that changes are occurring.

The whole session takes approximately 60-75 minutes, although your first visit will be longer. Although benefit can be gained from a single treatment, a course of treatments will be more effective as Shiatsu has a 'cumulative' effect. The frequency of sessions will vary with each person - Shiatsu is not a 'quick fix', so chronic conditions can take more time to ease. It is important to continue with more regular sessions initially, which can decrease in frequency as your wellbeing starts to improve.

If either you or I feel that Shiatsu is not appropriate for you, I will be happy to discuss and recommend alternatives to facilitate recovery.