Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing holistic therapy that treats the whole body using a wide range of techniques. Frequently stretching and rotation are used to improve the benefit of Shiatsu along with finger pressure and palms. A combination of pressure points, gentle manipulation and stretching is used to re-energise weak areas and reduce tension in the body. 

Shiatsu is deeply restful, it doesn’t hurt. 

Shiatsu aims to improve the clients flow of Qi, which is a person’s natural energy system that runs along internal pathways called meridians.

This is a traffic metaphor often used to describe Shiatsu :
“The meridians form a network — like a system of roads, highways, and country lanes. Acupoints are found at the major junctions, crossroads, overpasses, bus stops and traffic lights. The subtle art of assessment and treatment requires the selection of specific meridians and acupoints that can be used to unblock traffic jams and enhance the free flow of traffic that results in homeostasis.”

The free movement of energy and achievement of balance are the goals of Shiatsu treatment.

A shiatsu giver will use these to diagnose, interpret and to plan your treatment and they do this by a multisensory engagement with the client.

At the beginning of the session, the practitioner will discuss the client’s expectations and needs; what they hope to gain from Shiatsu treatment. This will normally be explored by ‘taking a case history’ in which the practitioner will ask questions about current and past health, and any concerns or restrictions to treatment. Since Shiatsu is a holistic therapy, the practitioner will take emotional and psychological factors into account, as well as the physical condition.

Many forms of Shiatsu, though not all, use East Asian medical theory to describe what is happening to the client in terms of “Ki” or energy. Others base their therapy focus on western medical knowledge. The practitioner then designs a plan that will give the client the most therapeutic benefit according to their individual needs and will ask the client to sign a form consenting to treatment. Clients are encouraged to discuss and participate in the therapeutic process; practitioners will give aftercare advice and often supportive practices for clients to use between sessions.

Shiatsu uses a variety of manual techniques, including static pressure with palms and thumbs, kneading, soothing, tapping, and stretching. These enhance the body’s physical systems (circulatory, lymphatic etc) and can access its deeper energy reserves. In the case where the client's energy is low or deficient, the practitioner uses specific techniques to enhance and vitalise it. When the client is over-stressed, wound-up, or anxious, the practitioner employs techniques to calm and release tension. In this way, Shiatsu works to alleviate conditions, restore balance, and promote health.

A regular maintenance program of Shiatsu is an excellent way to maintain wellness and improve vitality. This schedule will vary for each person.

What is Ki / Qi?

The Chinese word Qi does not literally translate. Qi is best described as the energy that creates and sustains life - the life force. The concept of Qi is the underlying principle of Asian practices such as martial arts, Feng shui, acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Shiatsu is a physical therapy which uses a combination of pressure points, gentle manipulation and stretching to re-energise weak areas and reduce tension in the body. By applying sensitive, mindful, static touch with thumbs, fingers and palms, the Shiatsu giver affects the functioning of physical systems such as nervous, circulatory and respiratory, thus supporting the body’s innate self-healing abilities and promoting a sense of relaxation and wellbeing.  

Shiatsu is given through clothes, so is practical for everyday workplace and family settings without the need for privacy and extra room heating. Soft, loose fitting clothing is ideal to wear along with socks. Zips, belts and things with lots of buttons are best avoided. Also it’s more comfortable for ladies to wear a non wired bra. 

Periodically the Shiatsu Society receives applications from practitioners to join the Professional Register (MrSS). These include practitioners from the following categories:

• Qualified overseas.
• Qualified from a non-ratified School in the UK.
• Lapsed membership for more than 2 years.

In these cases, the Society has a duty under its Quality Assurance policies, to ensure that these applicants demonstrate and meet our professional standards, so that we can be confident they uphold best practice as practitioners and members.

Assessment Process Steps: 

1.  After we have established an assessment is required, the Society (Education Admin) will source a potential Assessor based on location and/or suitability and confirm they are happy to proceed. We will also confirm which type of membership the applicant is most suitable for and confirm this with the Assessor.
2. Education Admin will then request the applicant emails the Assessor to arrange a suitable date and time to carry out the Assessment.
3. Education Admin will email 2 documents to the Assessor in preparation for the Assessment. This includes an SSUK Membership Procedures document outlining the
   different categories of membership for your information, as well as a document outlining suggested Interview questions and assessment criteria to help guide their
   questioning and act as an aide memoir in covering important aspects. The questions are not exhaustive and cover such areas as:

• Recent practice
• Client numbers
• Method of questioning and assessment
• Treatment planning
• Record keeping
• Notes on the treatment given / received
• Professional manner & Communication
• Client evaluation
• Quality of touch
• Appropriateness of techniques used
• Style
• Safety

In addition to this the practitioner should bring at least one case study to outline their overview of how they understand the client, identify needs, make decisions and
record results. Also, CPD engagement and understanding of the Society’s Code of Ethics, which include;
 

• Understanding of duty of care.
• The limits of competence.
• When and how to make referrals, including when to recommend patients for orthodox medical assessment.
   

1. Once the Assessment and Ethics interview is completed, the Assessor emails a copy of the completed Interview questions and assessment criteria document to Education Admin ([email protected]). This can be filled in on computer and emailed back OR printed off, written and photographed for emailing back to Education Admin. The Assessor can find a copy of our Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics at the foot of the front page of the Society’s website to further inform their assessment. 
2. Once we have received the assessment document from the Assessor we will refer to the Education Committee as necessary and liaise with the Office regarding onboarding the applicant to the relevant membership category. If there are any issues brought up in the assessment which require further clarification to support the applicant’s membership, we will liaise with the Assessor directly.

We ask that all Assessors: 

- Are current members of the Society.
- Are Registered Teachers with experience in assessing at MrSS level.
- Are willing to, and act as an Assessor on behalf of the Society.
- Have at least 10 years solid experience of being a Shiatsu practitioner.
- Ideally hold FwSS (Fellow) or SrSS (Senior) membership but individual experience and Teacher status is more important then membership category.

Note that the assessment is made of up two parts: 

o The applicant gives the Assessor a Shiatsu treatment.
o A thorough discussion/interview takes place around the applicant’s holding of their ethics, conduct and practice. This includes reading and discussing a presented case study.

Additional points to note: 

- The Assessor does need to be a Teacher.
- The Assessor can assess a previous student of theirs, as long as it is over 2 years since the student/teacher relationship was active.
- The Assessor should not assess if an applicant is mid-way through a refresher/CPD course with them prior to joining the Society, due to conflict of interest. It is advised the applicant finds another senior practitioner to assess, or waits until a suitable amount of time has passed until the teacher feels suitably distanced to assess the applicant.
- The Assessor may charge the applicant for their time in doing this. The suggested fee comprises of what they would charge for giving a treatment plus the interview and report writing time. Eg.  An hour's work, plus interview and report writing time - roughly an hour and a half's time.