Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: back pain

  • Easter is coming – Shiatsu is having a break

    Easter will be on us before we know it now. I found these Easter dudes in a charity shop today & decided I didn’t need to put them away for a week so they joined all the flowers I received for Mother’s Day on our mantel piece. It has been a tough school term for us, our first year of school & we are still building the stamina it takes for the whole family to make it through each term! I have decided to take a week’s holiday on the week running up to the Easter weekend. So no Shiatsu week commencing 10th April & back Tuesday 18th April. 

    We are going to spend the week visiting family. So although I am not offering Shiatsu here in Exeter one of my family members will probably ask for a quick treatment – it’s so often the case. We are so well supported by our families it’s actually the least I can do.

    If you would like to know more about Shiatsu or would like to book a massage before I go on holiday then get in touch through the contact me page. 

  • Saturday Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

    A lot of people really want to have a Shiatsu massage but struggle to find the time to book one. It’s such a busy work/ life culture that we live in.  We spend so much of our time at work, doing often demanding & challenging jobs. The rest of the time we seem to be rushing to get everything done & trying to enjoy ourselves & our loved ones. 

    A lot of my Shiatsu massage appointments are in the day on week days but I do offer an early evening appointment on a Wednesday & also morning appointments on a Saturday. The Saturday appointments are early enough so it’s possible to still make the most of the day but not to early that you have to get up before you’re ready!

    The clients I see on Saturday’s have often looked forward to their Shiatsu through the week  & feel its a real treat at the end of a busy week & a great way to start the weekend off. My practice room is quiet & calm & is in Exwick, on the north west side of Exeter. Its easy to get to. There is ample parking & it is walking distance from the railway station & it’s on a bus route. 

    Have a look at my pages on this site, for more information about Shiatsu massage or me. There are also photos of what to expect. Please get in touch through the contact me page with any questions. 

  • Shiatsu stretches

    As Shiatsu is generally given on a futon mat on the floor it is possible to give really satisfying stretches, when appropriate.  Shiatsu massage can be given in a seated position when lying is not comfortable but often clients will comment on how satisfying the stretches in their massage were.

    The body holds all our tensions & stresses & it is possible to release this by doing yoga or stretching but there is something different when someone does the stretch for you. It can feel sore, in a good way & it can get the energy moving around the body more freely.

    If you are interested in knowing more then do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I have a Facebook page that you may also like to look at.  I work in Exwick, Exeter, Devon. I have a calm & peaceful Shiatsu practice room. I work Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays.

  • Shiatsu massage for daily use

    Shiatsu massage is a form of massage originating from Japan. I have never been lucky enough to study Shiatsu in Japan but from what I understand it is a very pragmatic form of therapy there. The client is assessed & a treatment is given, not much discussion about emotional or spiritual condition of the client. 

    Shiatsu can be used very prescriptively for some daily complaints or conditions. I use Shiatsu massage on myself & my family quite regularly. I may massage my children’s hands if they are in distress or their feet if they are over-excited. I have helped my husband when he had back ache & will often work his legs & feet to support tiredness & need for rest. I use Shiatsu to help me keep pushing through when I am tired, like most parents. I have used it for eye tiredness, headaches, tight shoulders, painful hips, menstrual issues & restless legs. It’s also possible to help digestive issues with self Shiatsu. I also used it for well-being for us all, for relaxation before bed.

    I pass relevant information into clients for them to use for themselves & their families. If you are interested in knowing more so get in touch through the contact me page.

  • Shiatsu massage, Exeter, Devon

    I offer gentle but powerful Shiatsu massage here in Exeter, Devon. Shiatsu originates from Japan & literally translated means ‘thumb pressure.’

    As Shiatsu is given on a mat on the floor it can be quite an active massage, when appropriate.

    It’s relaxing & also invigorating 

    If you like to know more please get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page

  • Shiatsu event – North Devon – April

    Here’s a reminder that I will be at this event next month. Offering sessions of Shiatsu for just £15. 

    You can book in advance here North Devon Mind Body Soul Festival

     You can see more about the event here Facebook event

  • Shiatsu, the Spring & joint pain

    Today has been the first proper spring like day, down here in Exeter, Devon. It felt almost tropical (!) with a temperature of a staggering 15 degrees. Look I know that’s not hot but it’s a good 5 degrees warmer than the last few days.

    I have been confined to the house for most the week, thanks to a sick child, so stepping out today felt extra surprising. We headed to the allotment, which me & my boys love. Within minutes we were stripped to t-shirts, water fights were taking place & seeds were being planted. Happy Spring days.

    I am not as young as I used to be, I do generally keep fit & healthy. However my knees ached when I knelt over the strawberry patch, trying to weed. Also my shoulders & neck have been more stiff than usual recently & my hip felt sore as we walked home.

    I have noticed within my Shiatsu massage treatments that the meridians, lines of energy in the body, that relate to the Spring time of year, have started to be more present in a majority of my clients. It happens at the time every year & always takes me by surprise. It shouldn’t, I know, but my clients diagnosis changes, just for a bit around now.

    The meridians that relate to this time of year govern decision making, planning & plotting, they have symtoms including headaches, eye problems & sore joints! So no surprise that my joints ache more than usual then. 

    The spring energy is very strong & it is easy to get carried away in the excitement of some warm weather & more energy. Bit like my boys with their water fight, they soaked each other, ran around laughing then five minutes later they were both crying, cold & uncomfortable & upset with each other. Spring is the time for planning & planting ideas, not for trying to acheive too much. There will be warmer weather & longer days to do that, later in the year.

    If you think Shiatsu may be able something you’d like to try get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I work in Exeter, Devon on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s & Saturday’s.

  • & relax….have a Shiatsu

    Photo’s of my peaceful & relaxing Shiatsu massage practice room in Exwick, Exeter, Devon

    & a photo of a brilliant lower back stretch

    I practice Shiatsu massage on tuesday’s, Wednesday’s & Saturday’s – you can get in touch through the contact me page. Also like my Facebook page for details of events & special offers.

  • Supported Shiatsu 

    It is important to feel comfortable when having a Shiatsu massage. As it is given on a futon mat on the floor some pepple may feel that they arent gojmg to able to have a Shiatsu massage. If it some possible to get to the floor seated Shiatsu is possible. If a client can get to the floor there are various positions that they can lie in, to ensure comfort. They can also be supported in various ways. Cushions can be placed to ease tension.

    A large roll can be placed under the knees to support any discomfort in the lower back.

    Shiatsu can be given with the client lying in their side. This can support clients with back pain or hip or shoulder issues. 


    Shiatsu massage is fairly adaptable & is suitable for all. It is possible to work on the body in many differnet ways & still get a great affect, the client feeling relaxed but energized. It is also possible to work an injury or condition without working right on the specific area. This can be really helpful if the area is painful or inflamed or if the client is unable to lie in the most ideal position. 
    I work in Exwick, Exeter, in a quiet & peaceful practice room. I work Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s & Saturday’s. I offer appointments on Wednesday evenings for those who work. To discuss please contact me through the ‘contact me’ page. 

  • What you can expect from a Shiatsu massage, here in Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu sessions are an hour long with a good 40-45 minute hands-on. The session begins with a consultation about the client’s health. There are 5 minutes at the end to allow the client to ‘come round’ from the treatment. 

    Shiatsu massage is given on a futon mat, on the floor. It can be given seated if it isn’t possible to get to the floor. The client is fully clothed, so it’s important to wear comfy clothing. The client just has to relax, they may have to move to a new position on the floor or take some deep breaths, but generally they can just lie, relax & enjoy.

    Each Shiatsu massage is different. The treatment focusses on what the client needs then. The practitioner follows what they feel through their touch. There will quiet relaxing work & some stretches & rotations as well.

    Clients have said thay they have felt different things whilst the Shiatsu is taking place. They may feel a sensation in a different part of their body to the part being working on. They have said that they have felt emotions that they have not felt for a long time or that have surprised them. They have felt ‘good pain!’ Where the massage really hits the spot.

    After the Shiatsu massage the client may feel tired & a little spaced-out. This generally passes quickly, however sometimes a client can feel tired for a while, because they are actually very tired but have continued tp push through, the Shiatsu has made them realise how they really feel. 

    Shiatsu massage continues to have an affect for a couple of days, so rest is good, to make the most of the treatment. If there is a specific issue it is often worth having a cluster of treatments close together, then spreading them out a little as the condition begins to ease or becomes manageable. 

    If you would like to discuss if Shiatsu may be of help to you the get in tiu2ch through the ‘contact me’ page.