Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: health

  • Shiatsu For Back Issues, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu For Back Issues, Exeter, Devon 

    Well we have survived a few days camping, four kids, four adults, wet weather at times, late nights, early mornings & lots of fun. Sleeping on air beds, being busy a lot of the time, packing & unpacking & lugging lots of heavy stuff around definitely takes a toll on your back. 

    It really reminded me how hard our backs work & how painful they are when these is an issue. I would say that the most common complaint people come to me with, to have Shiatsu massage, is back pain. Often it is the lower back that is causing problems but sometimes it is the mid or higher back where the pain is. 

    Shiatsu can really help support back issues, whether they are chronic or a recent injury. The quicker after an injury that treatment is sought the better. Clients witb chronic back issues can really get a good amount of relief too though. 

    There are many different techniques that are used in Shiatsu massage & this makes it very versatile & if one technique is not working so well there are different approaches. 

    If you are interested in discussing if Shiatsu may be of help to you then feel free to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. You can also call me on 07791 070837.

  • Shiatsu Musings – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu Musings – Exeter, Devon 

    My son finished his first year of school today & what a year it has been. It hasn’t been straight forward & he has struggled, mostly with stamina. I am feeling really proud & happy for him for what he has achieved in this year. I feel a bit ambivalent about the schooling system & how they cater for individuals but the teachers have been brilliant & there have been enough positives to outweigh the negatives.

    Why am I waffling on about this & what’s it got to do with Shiatsu? Well we have used a number of support techniques to help our son including Mindfullness, Bach Flower Remedies & Yoga & of course I have used Shiatsu. 

    Shiatsu can be used on a daily basis to support family life & I use it regularly. I used Shiatsu to support my son to be calm at bedtime, a massage after bath & before bed. I used it to help him let go of stresses & frustrations. Shiatsu helped him adjust when returning to the home environment. If he woke distressed in the night Shiatsu helped him relax & fall back to sleep.

    Shiatsu massage uses the same points that Acupuncture uses – these points can be held at any time, not just in a full treatment. They can be useful for physical issues such as headaches, strains, cramps, tinitus, sinus issues, digestive issues. It is also helpful for emotional distress, nervousness, anxiety, worry. It is possible to take a course in how Shiatsu can be used on friends & family & I hope to offer a course some time soon. 

    I really value the support Shiatsu gives to me but also to my family & I wouldn’t be without it. If you have any questions do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.  I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu.

  • Shiatsu in the Summertime, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu in the Summertime, Exeter, Devon 

    It has been an interesting week of Shiatsu, the meridians (lines of energy) in the body that relate to the summertime have been really prominent in the treatments. They seem to be even more prominent than other Summers. The weather has been so warm & it has been a ‘real’ Summer, so far & this has fed people’s Fire energy, the energy that relates to this time of year.  
    So what does this mean – there are positive & negative results. The Fire energy is strong & burns brightly, it is perfect for socialising, doing lots of things & making the most of the time.   All my clients this week have been doing a lot & finding that they have the energy to do so.  The warmness in the body has helped the energy move well & change quickly, resulting in symptoms easing & tension releasing.

    Heat rises & this is what happens when there is an excessive of Fire energy, it goes up into the shoulders, neck & head. It creates tension & too much heat in the head. Emotions can also become too big & hot & potentially explosive. In general there has been an excessive of heat in client’s bodies, of course it is the Summer, however this has felt abnormally hot.

    So what to do in this beautiful Summer? Make the most of it! Socialise, party, get out there

    Rembember that the Fire energy is strong, particularly this year. Take time to sit & be still, in a cool place. Drink plenty of water. Try to moderate your intake of sugar, alcohol, spice & other stimulants. All of this will help stop your energy rising, from getting too hot, from emotions exploding or burn-out happening.

    And of course Shiatsu massage can really help! I found this week that people’s bodies were particularly malleable & this meant a lot could be achieved quite quickly & easily in a treatment. If you would like to know more or book a treatment get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

  • What To Expect From A Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    What To Expect From A Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu is a form of hands-on therapy. It is generally given on a futon mat on the floor & the client is fully clothed. It uses a lot of different massage techniques & can be quite a physical form of massage when appropriate. Shiatsu originates from Japan & uses the same points & lines of energy in the body that Acupuncture & Accupressure use.

    The aim of a treatment is to balance the energies in the body. With this balance can come a relief from symptoms. It is also a very relaxing & satisfying form of massage therapy.

    A session lasts an hour with 40 to 45 minutes of actual hands-on work. There is a short consultation at the beginning to discuss the client’s health & wishes for the treatment.

    Shiatsu is different every time, it is based on how the client is right then, that day, that hour. It is tailored specifically to their needs.

    I offer Shiatsu massage in Exeter, Devon. I work part-time, I look after my two young boys as well. I work Wednesdays & Saturdays at present but in the Autumn I will be offering other days.

    I am always happy to talk Shiatsu so feel free to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

    Have a Look on my Facebook page or the pages on this site for more info. You can also go to the Shiatsu Society page for more info.

  • Neck Injuries & Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon 

    Having a sore neck can be really tough. I have treated people who have neck injuries due to car accidents, often they have come after some period of time following the accident. I have also had people who have a chronic stiff or tight neck. The other time that clients come with neck pain is when they have over exerted themselves & have pulled a neck muscle.

    Shiatsu is a gentle form of hands-on therapy but is can be powerful & effective. As Shiatsu is generally given on the floor on a futon mat well supported neck stretches can be used to relieve symptoms. If the area is inflamed or very painful it is possible to work on the injury distally, from another point in the body, or to work either side of the injury. There are a number of different ways that Shiatsu massage can tackle client’s concerns.

    Shiatsu can be helpful in easing pain levels, which can be helpful for chronic conditions. Some clients find Shiatsu will relieve or reduce the pain they feel for a period of time after the treatment. As successive treatments are given the length of time that the pain is relieved for does sometimes lengthen.

    If you are suffering from neck pain & would like to discuss if Shiatsu may be able to help support you then do get in touch – through the ‘contact me’ page or on 07791 070837.

    I practice Shiatsu massage in Exeter, in beautiful Devon. I offer evening & daytime appointments.

  • Shiatsu Summer holidays, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu Summer holidays, Exeter, Devon 

    Right now I am in the throws of the very last Sunday night before a week of school for the eldest, pre-school for the youngest & work for my husband & me. Bring on the school holidays, 5 days & counting, how I loathe the amount of preparation I have to do usual on a Sunday.

    I am so looking forward to hanging out as family. Eating breakfast in as many stages as the kids want, rather than trying to make sure enough food has been guzzzled in one quick sitting to get through to lunch. Asking the kids what they’d like to do that day. Heading to the beach, river or moors. Enjoying the world through the eyes of a 5 year old & a 3 year old. Look I know there will be tantrums & fall-outs but there will be jokes & laughter too, plus hoping there will be a little more sleep & a little less tiredness – lets see.

    I am looking forward to the holidays but I am also looking forward to working quite a bit through it. I am still offering my usual availability every week except two weeks (when we hope to be camping.) I love giving Shiatsu & I understand lots of people are away in the Summer but I will be offering relaxing & peaceful Shiatsu massage as much as I am able to.

    I have some spaces left in August so do get in touch if you want to book in.

    So wish me luck for the last week of school, getting us all through it! Have a great Summer & any questions please feel free to get in tiuch through the ‘contact me’ page.

  • A Great Shiatsu Day, Exeter, Devon 

    Had a great day giving Shiatsu massage to lots of people at the Exeter Lions Gala Day. 

    It was a real community event with lots of support organisations that work within the local area. It was a joy to give Shiatsu to lots of carers, support & charity workers. These are the people who work very hard to support others but can find it hard to find the time to get support themselves. 

    We also treated a lot of families, the parents & the children. It’s really great for the whole family to get a Shiatsu massage. For the whole family to have some time out time, some relaxation & also be energised & invigorated. 

    It was a great day all round – the event was in a little known but beautiful park – the music involved a lot of community choirs – there was a mix of things to do, circus skills  bouncy castle, skittles & the local charity & support organisation stalls. 

  • Shiatsu tasters tomorrow, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu tasters tomorrow, Exeter, Devon 

    Come find us – 12-6 – Priory Park, Exeter. 

    Shiatsu massage tasters for just £5 or £10. 

    The weather is supposed to be good – theres loads of other stalls – live music – food & drink 

    Hope to see you there. 

  • Shiatsu this Saturday – Exeter, Devon 

    This Saturday my colleague & I will be at the Exeter Lions Gala Day – in Priory Park, Exeter – giving Shiatsu massage taster sessions – details of the event here 

  • Feeling stuck in a rut? Try Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    Feeling stuck in a rut? Try Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu massage can be a great support if you are feeling like you are stuck in a rut or you feel stuck where you are & have little options for change. Similarly it is a great support if you feel indecisive, if you can’t make a decision or have too many decisions to make.   

    These scenarios indicate a specific diagnosis. The meridians that are affected are the ones relating to the Tree element. This is one of the elements in Five Element Diagnosis, which is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, one form of diagnosis that Shiatsu massage uses. 

    The Tree element is in balance when there is a good flow & fluidity in the body. You can imagine a strong tall tree, that is secure in the ground, is rooted well, it also moves with ease when it is blown by the wind. When the Tree element is out of balance the body is stuck or stagnant, the tree is brittle & inflexible in the wind, branches may snap or the roots may be pulled up. 

    Shiatsu massage works to balance the energy in the body. It can give the client back the flow & fluidity that they may have been missing. When the energy flows better then the mind & emotions also flow & adapt better. I get comments from clients that they feel they have options after having Shiatsu, they are more focussed & motivated, they have their drive & determination back. When you have these things you can make decisions with more ease, you can take steps to make changes & you can feel more relaxed & at ease in general.

    If you would like to know if Shiatsu massage may be able to help support you then do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu!