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Shiatsu and insomnia
One of the things that almost everybody mentions, irrespective of their condition, is how much better they
sleep the day they have received shiatsu. Treating insomnia is relatively easy.
Non-drug treatments have been underused, but sleep experts say that they offer the best long-term
solutions to chronic insomnia.
Professor Kevin Morgan, Director of the Clinical Sleep Research Unit of Loughborough University’s, says
that sleeping tablets treat the symptoms of insomnia, not its causes.
“The drugs which are prescribed nowadays are very effective sleep inducers,” says Professor Morgan.
“They work immediately, they’re not toxic, and they've been shown to be safe in overdose.”
But they're only recommended for the short-term treatment of insomnia – up to four weeks.
“Very few insomnia cases last only four weeks,” says Professor Morgan. “Most clinical insomnias are
chronic. So most of these drugs are prescribed for longer than they should.”
In any case, the drugs lose their effectiveness over time because the body gets used to them. By that
stage, the person has become psychologically dependent on them.
When treating Insomnia with Shiatsu we have to bear in mind why it happens.
We must take into account that insomnia is a general overexcitation. The most important thing is to start
our shiatsu a bit faster than usual, and little by lttle slow the pace and end more slowly, so as to bring the
person down to a more relaxed and calm state.
In terms of Western physiology, insomnia may be considered as an alteration of the autonomic nervous
system. The sympathetic nervous system is overexcited and the parasympathetic nervous system is
underexcited.
Shiatsu Massage is one of the most effective ways of balancing the autonomic nervous system. To do that
the shiatsu therapist has to feel kyo or jitsu along the spine, including the neck and the sacrum, and adjust
the pressure accordingly. The calming and balancing effects are simply amazing.
Shiatsu will be more effective in the treatment of insomnia if received just before going to bed.
To treat chronic insomnia, receiving shiatsu might not be enough, so it is also important to establish good
and regular sleeping habits. Sometimes a sleep restriction therapy or programme are very helpful.
Insomnia can also be viewed as too much energy going to the head, and not enough to the feet. When
applying pressure to the neck, our pressure should go from the head towards the back (caudal direction)
to bring the energy down from the head.
Exercises that bring down energy towards the ground, such as leaning on a ball or roller, prior to going to
bed may be very helpful.
If we finish our treatment by applying pressure to the feet we might be able to bring down some of this
energy towards the feet.
References: Namikoshi, Toru. The shiatsu way to health.
Namikoshi, Toru. The complete book of Shiatsu Therapy.
Wiedman, John. Desperately seeking snoozing.
Stephens, Sasha. The effortless sleep method.
Shiatsu Yasuragi Centres
Docklands / Canary Wharf
Shiatsu Yasuragi Canary Wharf
The Docklands Clinic
1 Scott House
Admiral's Way E14 9UD
Phone: 0207 515 5755
Price: £60 one hour. £35 half hour
Special Offer: Pay two, get one for free.
(valid for six weeks from first massage)
Soho / Central London
Shiatsu Yasuragi Central London
Bloww
4 Regent Place W1B 5EA
Phone: 020 7292 0300.
Greenwich / New Cross
Shiatsu Yasuragi Greenwich
Phone: 020 8694 6064
Shiatsu Yasuragi School
Phone: 020 8694 6064
For all other enquiries please contact us at:
yasuragi@shiatsu-london.net
or phone: 020 8694 6064
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