I have had a number of people come to me because they are experiencing chronic pain. It is unbelievable how people cope & function for years or even decades, being in terrible or extreme pain. Generally clients have tried drugs & decided to cut them out or drop the dosage considerably. They have often tried a number of different therapies before they come to Shiatsu.
It seems, from what I have experienced from my clients, that chronic pain begins to affect all aspects of a life. It can become depressing, it can affect the way the person sees everything, it can make the person an introvert & can seriously damage their ability to communicate. Clients have said the pain can take up part of their thinking space, it seems to affect their memory & concentration. More obviously it can affect their physical ability, their ability to work or get around.
I have had some success with Shiatsu massage in relieving the pain, for some time after a treatment. Clients have also felt a mental weight lifting & a lightness that has allowed them to feel more positive about their situation. They have mentioned that they have then been able to make changes in their lives, which have helped their pain levels.
Chronic pain seems such a mentally tough thing to deal with. Shiatsu seems to have given support to the clients, allowing them to feel supported & stronger. Shiatsu has been able to lessen the pain considerably or completely for periods of time. Regular body work seems to be the key here, whether Shiatsu or something else, regular treatments help keep the condition in check.
If you would be interested in finding out more head to the pages on this site or my Facebook page.
There’s nothing like going back to work, after having some time off, to make you evaluate how you feel about the way in which you make your living. Sure they’ll be some people actively looking forward to getting back into the swing of things at work, but I imagine there will be a lot of people this evening not feeling so keen. It’s the dreaded ‘Sunday night’ feeling, apprehension of the week ahead, stealing yourself for the trials you know you are giving to have to face.
It is really easy to fall into a routine to make the money to pay the bill’s, before you know it you’re in a rhythm you never planned for yourself & you’re not sure how to get out of it. Some people are able to make changes in their lives without help but a lot of us need some support.
Shiatsu massage isn’t just for relaxation or a treat for yourself, it can be a motivating & invigorating experience. There is a chance for the client to express how they are feeling in a verbal consultation to begin with & this can start to get the ball rolling, it’s clear what aspects of their life or life style the client is keen to work on. The massage can then allow the client to understand how & where they are holding their frustrations or disappointments & can help the client give these away. A sense of relief can be felt along with a feeling of release & more energy & fluidity in the body.
I have had a number of clients come for Shiatsu with me because they feel ‘stuck in a rut’ or they can’t see what options they have. Some clients express a lack of energy or a lose of will, meaning they can’t drive themselves forward. Some clients have been in a situation they are not happy in & have been looking for support, or counselling, to help them work through their emotions. Shiatsu can be a very supportive therapy, with a mix of verbal discussion & touch, which can put clients at ease & may produce surprising results, exposing unexpected emotions & helping the client make great steps forward.
If you are one of the people not so keen on returning to work tomorrow then maybe you’d like to discuss if Shiatsu massage maybe the support you are looking for. I work in Exeter, Devon & am always happy to talk Shiatsu – you can get in touch through my ‘contact me’ page or at amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk
After a week’s holiday I’m back giving Shiatsu & what a week of Shiatsu massage I have. Shiatsu treatments all booked up, plus one booked for myself too. It is all too easy to forget to look after yourself & I had the foresight that I would need a Shiatsu myself this week, I’m so looking forward to putting myself in someone else’s hands & reminding myself how it feels to have Shiatsu rather than give it! It helps when I am giving a treatment, to be aware of how it feels to receive it.
Then this weekend, & the main reason I need a Shiatsu myself this week, I am offering taster sessions of Shiatsu for just £15 all day Saturday & Sunday. There are some sessions already booked up but still spaces available. You can pre-book a Shiatsu massage here. Let anyone you think might be interested know & maybe I’ll see some of you there. 
I have been reminded today of how helpful Shiatsu can be for the treatment of Sciatica. My poor mother in law has been suffering with it, whilst we have been staying with her. She has been trying to cater for & enjoy her large family whilst dealing with the dreadful pain that Siatica creates.
She was so bad after supper that she couldn’t keep still & was almost hopping around. So I offered to see if I could feel what the issue was & maybe help. We were washing up at the time, she didn’t sit down or lie down, I simply touched her sacrum whilst she stood. It was obvious that her sciatic nerve was inflamed so I moved her hip a little, just for a couple of minutes. She began to move around again & immediately felt some relief, she could stand still, without moving constantly to try & ease the pain.
Sciatica is a nasty complaint, the pain is often sharp & extreme & it is hard to find relief. I have had a good number people come for Shiatsu because they are experiencing Sciatica or some form of pain in their back or hips that also carries down into the leg.
Regarding my mother in law it is the least I can do for her, she is hosting Easter, feeding & looking after us all so well. She is vety active & social & when she gets Sciatica it really affects her. If you are suffering from Sciatica & would like to know more then do get in touch at amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk or have a look at my Facebook page.
Shiatsu massage is different every time. If you had a Shiatsu massage in the morning & then another in the afternoon they would be different to each other. Shiatsu works on what is happening for the client at that moment in time. The practitioner follows what they pick up as they give the massage, this can be the most satisfying thing about a Shiatsu. A good Shiatsu should meet you exactly where & how you want to be met. What a feeling it is when it happens. A sense of space & relief, a deep relaxation in the body & a sense of stillness.
A good Shiatsu will give a sense of satisfaction & this shows that there is balance in the body. This balance of energy is the aim of Shiatsu, with balance comes healing & can lead to a relief from symptoms. The client can leave happy with their massage & this sense of well-being & contentment can continue for hours or days.
If you would like to discuss if Shiatsu may be of help to you do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I work in a quiet practice room in Exwick, Exeter, Devon. It’s easily accessible by car, bus or train.
This event is coming up soon now – I’m offering Shiatsu sessions for just £15 – normally they are £35 – the event is in North Devon – it’s an established fair with over 25 stalls – it’s on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd April from 10am till 4pm – please spread the word & let people know if you think they might be interested – more details at North Devon Mind, Body, Soul Festival. You can book a Shiatsu session in advance here
So officially I’m on holiday, as of yesterday, but in this world of technology & the need to keep an online presence here I am on my blog! Actually I enjoy blogging, I love looking at life through ‘Shiatsu-tinted’ glasses, taking daily lessons from it & trying to be more present to what is taking place around me.
I have used Shiatsu on myself over the last couple of days, as I woke with a stiff neck a couple of morning’s ago, thanks to a restless & unsettled child sleeping in bed with me. Better to sleep in an awkward position than risk him waking again, one of the many delights of parenthood.
I also regularly use the principles of stillness & breathing deeply into the abdomen, or hat a as Shiatsu calls it. This school holiday has been good so far, plenty of sunshine so easy to get outside & give the kids lots of exercise. There haven’t been many meltdowns or stressful moments. There has been some bickering over who should have what & who has the best, whether that’s a toy, some food, or which of mummy’s hands is best to hold. At these moments I am often, not always, able to still myself, take a moment & then step back into the discussion. I hope this helps the kids to, allowing them to see a way to handle their own stress.
I really enjoy giving Shiatsu & will miss not giving treatments this week. I am looking forward to a week of family time, lots of fresh air & some quiet moments too hopefully! I hope it’s sunny where you are & that you have a good week, with fun, laughter & some quiet too! 
This month I am offering Shiatsu massage treatments for just £25 – normal price is £35 – if you book an appointment on a Wednesday afternoon. Each session is an hour long, with at least 40-45 minutes of Shiatsu massage. My quiet practice room is in Exwick, Exeter & is easy to get to by car, bus or train. I offer appointments on Wednesday evening’s & Saturday morning’s but the offer relates only to Wednesday afternoon’s.
To find out more about me & my style of Shiatsu go to my Facebook page. You may also like to go to the Shiatsu Society website for more information on Shiatsu. I am always happy to talk Shiatsu so please feel free to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.
It’s been such a beautiful few days here in Exeter, Devon. Here is the view from my Shiatsu practice room. What a joy tolook out at.
Counselling & Shiatsu 