Shiatsu for Therapists Who Treat Acute and Chronic Pain

Ancient techniques for relieving modern day neck, shoulder & back pain

This seminar trains you in three simple, practical and effective shiatsu and Asian bodywork techniques for relieving acute and chronic neck, shoulder and back pain.  Shiatsu, sometimes called acupressure, works on the same principles as acupuncture. It is performed without needles, so it can be utilized immediately with excellent results in the clinic or home setting by Physical Therapists, PTAs, Occupational Therapists and COTAs.

You learn the 12 primary acupuncture meridians, and the points along those meridians that are used in the traditional shiatsu method of pain relief.  You also learn how to stimulate effective pain-relieving points on the ears using pressure seeds and pellets that allow the therapist to apply pain relieving pressure with a great degree of precision.  In addition to learning traditional shiatsu methods and the use of pressure points on the ears, you acquire an extremely effective technique for eliminating pain, called gua sha.  This is a quick, easy and safe method of pain relief used frequently throughout Asia, performed with common household items.

These techniques are non-invasive and effective. Patients look forward to their treatment sessions for the balancing and calming effects as well.  This seminar is fun, interactive and full of practical information. As you practice these techniques during the hands-on labs throughout the day, you may find your own aches and pains disappearing.  Your instructor, Barbra Esher, says that in addition to being fun and educational, participation in this course also feels good!

Course objectives

1. Define the Eastern philosophical and scientific perspective on pain etiology and pain relief.
2. Identify the 12 primary acupuncture meridians and the points along those meridians that can be stimulated with acupressure in order to relieve pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.
3. Demonstrate palpation techniques used to locate the acupressure points that are utilized in traditional shiatsu for relief of neck, shoulder and back pain.
4. Locate the ear points used in conjunction with pressure seeds or pellets to relieve pain in the neck, shoulders and back.
5. Demonstrate the deep pressure pain relief technique called gua sha.
6. Empower patients to control their pain with acupressure “homework”.

Course Director

TO BE ANNOUNCED:  The new instructor will change the format of this course slightly.  This page will reflect those changes when we post the new schedule.

Course Content

[     Eastern philosophy and science

[     The flow of Nature/Humans in balance: Yin Yang principles

[     Qi and the 12 meridians

[     Pain: What is it?

o       West: The reign of Pain is mainly in the Brain

o       East: Bu Tong Ze Tong; Tong Ze Bu Tong “No free flow, pain; Free flow, no pain”

o       Bi- Painful Obstruction Syndrome

[     Treatment: 8 Branches of Chinese medicine

[     Shiatsu: What is it, how was it developed and how can I use it?

[     Importance of self-cultivation, hara and tan tien

[     Main Principles

[     Research findings

[     Coding and billing for reimbursement

[     Neck, shoulder and back

o       Points for relieving pain- local and distal/ front and back

o       Lab: Locate points using diagrams, demonstration and each other.

o       Lab: Find a painful spot and explore Shiatsu points to see which point relieves the pain (recognition of instant feedback loops)

o       Lab:  Shiatsu practice with each other: local and distal/ front and back

    [     Ear Points for relieving pain

o       History and research on ear points

o       Ear Map: Locate points using chart and ear probe

o       Pressure with seeds or pellets

o       Specific ear points to relieve neck, shoulder and back pain

o       Lab: Point location and application of pressure

[     Gua Sha:  One of the most effective pain relieving techniques.

o       “Where to learn? Everyone knows.” Dr. James Tin You So

o       Using an instrument to create deep pressure

o       Technique for immediate, long-lasting relief of chronic pain

o       Facilitating free flow of Qi and expelling climactic factors

o       Contraindications

o       Demonstration

o       Lab:  Practice in pairs