So, what is Shiatsu?
It translates as finger pressure and it is a form of Japanese therapeutic bodywork. It uses pressing, kneading, soothing, stretching, and tapping techniques as well as acupuncture and anma massages.
Shiatsu is one of the main Asian traditional medical therapies in the USA, being developed from the integration of traditional therapies with modern western medicine.
How can Shiatsu improve your overall well-being?
Shiatsu is a therapy that has both preventative and healing effects. It reduces stress and promotes overall well-being. It is used in treating various internal, musculoskeletal, and emotional conditions. Some of the most commonly treated conditions are: digestion, regulating the nervous system, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, PMS, insomnia, and fibromyalgia as well as treating low back, neck and joint pain.
Shiatsu for headaches
This ancient Japanese therapy can be also very beneficial and helpful if you suffer from headaches.
We often experience a headache because of an energetic blockage such as guilt, anger, or frustration. Just as we have stomach aches due to stress or nervousness, headaches can appear due to lack of connection, unexpressed feelings, or overwhelming.
Fortunately, the practice of self-shiatsu can help you relieve the pain by helping you tune into the headaches as clues rather than illness because the aim of this traditional technique is to promote the connection between mind, body, and soul and thus alleviate pain and maintain the sense of calmness.
Shiatsu: An Ancient Practice to Improve Your Health
Pain relievers can address the symptoms of a headache, but shiatsu addresses the root cause directly. If you have a headache right now, stop and ask yourself how you are feeling. What are you thinking about? Did you drink enough water? Did you eat properly? Did you smile or say something positive? What is weighing you down?
Shiatsu makes a combination of deep awareness of what is happening inside of us, with tapping or pressure practices at specific pressure points to address the problematic spot and release pain.
As it isn’t possible to go to the shiatsu practitioner every time you have a headache, we want to present you several practices you can do in the comfort of your own home
5 Shiatsu Pressure Points to Alleviate Every Kind of Headache:
As you do this self-practice don’t forget to breathe deeply through any feelings, thoughts or discomfort. Let them go and let them move through you.
- Stress Headache
If you are overwhelmed by other people’s presence or feeling antisocial lately, this stress is likely causing you a headache. This is a result of an energy blockage, your body responded with a headache because you weren’t letting go of your emotions.
Try this self-shiatsu point by squeezing large intestine #4, (合谷 Union Valley).
Where is it? In the middle of the second metacarpal bone on the radial side.
Gently squeeze the webbing between your thumb and index finger. You should squeeze the muscle between these two fingers, not just the skin. Do this on both hands.
- Depression Headache
This type of headache is a result of a blockage in your water element.
Maybe you feel light-headed and your energy feels stagnant. It is good to drink lots of water to hydrate yourself, but also try this practice.
Squeeze and tap this point: kidney 27 (愈府 Acupuncture Point of Mansion).
Where is it? It is below the pointed edges of your collarbone, where the bottom of your throat is framed.
Use your fingerprints to tap or press on both sides of the pressure point. Another way is to hold both sides with your index finger and thumb. Don’t forget to breathe deeply. Your headache should be gone shortly afterward.
- Indecision Headache
Do you find yourself overthinking or not trusting your gut? In this case, your brain works overtime and a headache appears. It is a sign of a blockage in your wood energy.
For this particular headache, there are three pressure points, but I’ll be explaining just one.
Practice self–shiatsu while pressing the pressure points on both sides of your eye sockets. This pressure point will help you get new, clarifying, and inventive ideas. In a gentle way, hold the corner of your eyes exactly where you touch the bone. It is important not to press too hard.
- Emotional Headache
Emotional headache mainly results from anger. It is a sign of a blockage in your fire energy. By doing self-shiatsu you will balance the fire energy within you.
Try squeezing the small intestine 1 (少沢 Little Marsh)/ the corner of the nail on the ulnar side of the pinkie finger
What should you do? Squeeze your index finger and thumb on both sides of the top knuckle of your pinkie finger. You frame both sides of your nail bed while breathing deeply.
You will feel the energy moving through your body, let it flow naturally, and relieve your pain
- Vulnerability Headache
Have you ever regretted something you said, or even wished you could have said something and you didn’t? Maybe you didn’t handle the situation as you wanted to.
It’s very common when we experience this kind of situation to clench our jaws and squeeze the muscles in our faces. It comes as a blockage in our earth’s energy. In order to balance this energy we can try out the following practice:
Applying pressure to the: 頬車 Jawbone points.
Where is it? “On the cheek, in the depression one finger-breadth (middle finger) anterior and superior to the lower angle of the mandible were m. masseter attaches, at the prominence of the muscle when the teeth are clenched”
Use your fingers to squeeze, twist or press the pressure points that fall in line with the hinge joint of your jaw
In conclusion, there is nothing wrong with taking painkillers now and then, especially when your headache feels excruciating. However, if you feel that your headache appeared as a result of some of the above-mentioned reasons (situations and emotions), practicing self-shiatsu can be a brilliant way to relieve the pain.
