1. Shiatsu: A Traditional Japanese Healing Art
In shiatsu, a practitioner applies pressure with the thumbs and palms to certain areas of the body in which there are blockages. These areas, known as meridians, are similar those used in acupuncture and other healing arts. Shiatsu also addresses diet, activity levels and emotional health. You can perform shiatsu massage yourself, but it's probably best to go to a shiatsu practitioner the first time so you can observe the correct techniques. If you are on a tight budget, take advantage of student days at a shiatsu school, when students who are about to graduate offer services free or for a nominal fee.
2. Lower Blood Pressure with this Foot Massage
When shiatsu practitioners treat people with high blood pressure, they focus on the gall bladder and liver meridians. The gall bladder meridian is located in the space at the top of a person's foot between the fourth toe and the pinky toe. The practitioner starts at the edge of the web between the toes and massage the area to stimulate this channel. Using light pressure, he will press the first area for 6 to 7 seconds, release, and then move about 1/2 inch over to the next section. There he will press again for 6 to 7 seconds. The shiatsu practitioner will continue moving up the foot, staying in this channel, until reaching the spot where the toe bones merge.
3. Massaging the Leg Helps Too
Once the gall bladder channel has been stimulated, the shiatus practitioner will move to the liver meridian. Starting at the center of the person's big toe, the practitioner will press for 6 to 7 seconds and release, moving down the foot to the margin between the big toe and the second toe. Then, beginning at the ankle, the practitioner will apply pressure at each spot along the bone. She should apply only moderate pressure near the bone. When she reaches the middle of the inside of the leg, this meridian moves away from the bone. The liver meridian ends right below the knee. You can have shiatsu massage performed on both sides of the body.
