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You might not be aware, but here in Norwich, we have the first dedicated Shiatsu clinic in the UK. It remains one of only a handful and is associated with some of the most experienced Shiatsu practitioners in the UK. Founder Clifford Andrews is actually a world-renowned practitioner, teaching Shiatsu massage worldwide. That’s all very interesting I hear you say, but what’s so great about Shiatsu anyway? We decided to find out…
Discreetly tucked away down Lower Goat Lane (just along from Mambo Jambo, but before Neal’s Yard), we cross a doorway into a long white tunnel-like corridor. Immediately, one has the feeling that this leads somewhere nice. Inside the Shiatsu Centre itself is a modest, but inviting reception area where our practitioner, Dinah, greets us in a warm, calm manner before handing us a pre-treatment questionnaire. It is fairly detailed with questions about ailments you might have and which parts of the body (or mind) they occur. Naturally, it’s all confidential, but to get maximum benefit from the treatment, it’s worth being as honest as possible. Offering wisdom from a detailed knowledge of both Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it’s amazing what Dinah concludes from reading my questionnaire. Apparently, the fact that my ears and nose seem to feel blocked all the time could be caused by eating too much dairy, in particular cheese. It is absolutely true that I am The World’s Biggest Cheese Lover, and usually try to crowbar it in to every meal bar breakfast somehow (and even breakfast ends up cheesy wherever possible). Other concerns I list are some uncomfortable back and neck pain/creakage, probably caused by alternatively sitting at my desk and lugging a toddler around. I ask Dinah whether I will feel anything from one treatment and she explains that it depends entirely on the person. Some people seem to feel nothing much at first whereas others feel immediate benefits. Some people feel extremely tired as their ‘true level’ of tiredness is exposed, but then feel great a couple of days later. I hope I don’t fall into this latter camp. If my ‘true level’ of tiredness came out I probably wouldn’t be able to get home!
I go up to the treatment room, which is lovely and warm upon entering. It is also pretty much the definition of minimalist. Bare white walls, white sheer curtains, one pot plant and a large futon in the middle of the floor and that’s pretty much it. What seems oddly stark at first soon makes perfect sense though as you realise that the space is perfectly designed for relaxation - a blissful contrast to the over-stimulated world that we normally all inhabit. By the end of my treatment I actually kind of wish it were my bedroom.
Fully clothed I lie down on the futon, and after initial discussion about me and my questionnaire (when the sad fact that I may have to cut down on cheese if I ever want to breathe properly again was introduced), Dinah covered me in a sheet (so she is not distracted by the textures of clothing and skin) and started making her initial ‘assessment’ through the ‘hara’ (the tummy area). I am then asked to turn on to my side and the treatment proper begins.
Throughout the process, I am aware of Dinah’s hands on me (mainly because they feel so incredibly warm), and some pressure and manipulation, but it was all very subtle and amazingly soothing. Throughout the hour I am basically 95% asleep and very, very relaxed. Dinah explains afterwards that this is because Shiatsu targets the Parasympathetic nervous system - a part of the nervous system that slows the heart - think less fight or flight and more chill and be still.
In (very) simple terms, the process of Shiatsu is all about releasing unblocked energy (‘lie force’ or ‘Qi’) that flows around our bodies, enabling our body (and mind) to function more naturally and effectively. Dinah says that she will also offer patients advice and techniques on things to do at home to maximise the treatment and encourage eventual self-sufficiency. The ‘Zen’ Shiatsu that Dinah practices has roots in a combination of Western anatomical and physiological knowledge as well as TCM. Dinah points out that there is a place for both Western medicine and complementary therapies like Shiatsu. Shiatsu has been documented to show incredibly positive results in many ailments, from arthritis and sciatica to depression and hormonal problems. Dinah says it can even be offered in a hands-off manner, which can dramatically improve healing of say, a caster-bound broken limb, or a bad skin complaint that cannot be touched directly.
After the treatment I drink a cup of tea that Dinah brings me and we chat some more about Shiatsu and its history and benefits. I can only describe the way I feel as really, really happy. I can’t actually stop smiling. And after the morning I’d had previous to my treatment this is definitely positive! I also feel a huge space between my ear and shoulder, as if I’ve grown a couple more vertebrae in my neck. And despite the fact that most of Dinah’s manipulations were barely perceptible, my entire body feels ‘worked over’. I leave feeling utterly wonderful - buoyant and relaxed. The only drawback really is having to step back out into the melee that is the City Centre in the early run-up to Christmas. It sort of rains on the relaxation parade a little.
The morning after, as I write this, my neck still feels taller, straighter and I still feel an incredible sense of ‘happy’, as if some sort of weight has been lifted. I can see how Shiatsu would be excellent for depressive conditions. I am still tired (as usual) but I do seem to have more energy. Two hours before I awoke this morning I did feel an acute pain in my back, which eventually abated and is now gone. It may or may not have been related to the treatment. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is a result of everything being ever so slightly shifted and manoeuvred.
In short, I will definitely be having successive treatments. I will also be recommending it to my friends and family. After just one session it is very, very easy to see how Shiatsu could be beneficial to a number of conditions and complaints. Founded with one foot in modern science and one foot in thousands of years of eastern medicine it is a highly enjoyable, plausible and also, increasingly proven form of complementary therapy that we’re certainly going to explore further.
The Shiatsu Centre.
20a Lower Goat Lane,
Norwich, NR2 1EL.
Tel: 01603 632555.
email: admin@shiatsucollege.co.uk
www.shiatsucentre.co.uk
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