Shiatsu massage therapy has been around for many centuries. It is a form of massage therapy that uses pressure to heal the body and promote overall general health. It is actually a derivative of its sister technique acupuncture. However, instead of using needles to stimulate trigger points, it makes use of pressure to achieve the same. The shiatsu massage technique is now available in many different massage chairs.

Acupuncture was developed in ancient China and was practiced as a medical art. Acupressure uses many of the same principles of acupuncture but relies on using increasing pressure to stimulate trigger points in the body.

Although shiatsu is similar in many respects to acupressure, there are some differences. Perhaps the most notable difference is and the placement of where the massage is performed. In a typical acupressure massage, it is performed over the acupoint only. Shiatsu is not limited to just the acupoint, but is performed over a larger area.

Just like any other massage technique, shiatsu continues to evolve in its definition. Other techniques and movements have been used as part of the overall shiatsu framework. It is common to find movements that include chopping, gripping and even vibration. These are effective for loosening and stimulating the body.

Typically, the movements in a shiatsu massage are accomplished through increasing pressure in a rhythmic pattern. This also involves the stretching and manipulating of different soft tissue areas. Increasing pressure is often used to stimulate the acupoints in the body.

Interesting to find the different technologies used by massage chair manufacturers in order to produce an effective shiatsu massage. These technologies are controlled by software which controls the delivery of the massage. These mechanical and electrical systems reproduce accurate and effective shiatsu therapy.

Massage chairs use advanced roller designs which can move in three dimensions. This helps to replicate the increasing pressure which is a key characteristic of shiatsu massage. Manipulation of the soft tissue areas is done with a variety of movements to stretch and elongate the muscle tissue.

One of the first technologies used in massage chairs is vibration. Vibration is still used because it is effective in deeply penetrating muscle tissue. However, other technologies are used in addition to vibration motors in providing a relieving shiatsu massage therapy.

The use of squeezing and grasping is another important technique in shiatsu. Massage chairs use an air massage system to provide this squeezing and grasping function. The use of airbags is common to firmly squeeze the muscles. This relieves tension very effectively.

Did you know that massage chairs have their own computers? Yes a computer board is used to control the various technologies and a massage chair. This computer is programmed with customized software to coordinate the precise movements of different elements in a massage chair.

Manufacturers of massage chairs have extensively studied the subtle movements of shiatsu. This has enabled them to effectively duplicate these techniques to provide relief and stimulation of the body. All of these come together with the ability to activate the massage by pressing a single button.

There is no definitive agreement on the exact techniques which constitute shiatsu massage. There are generalized techniques which are known to be part of the body of knowledge which is known as shiatsu massage.

Although interpretations of the exact shiatsu massage techniques may vary, most are still very effective in delivering a massage treatment. Massage chair manufacturers will also vary somewhat in their interpretation of the shiatsu massage technique. You may want to try a couple of different massage chair plans in order to find the one that is most effective for you.