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.

Did you know that shiatsu is a form of acupuncture? Yes, this is true. Acupuncture and its sister technique acupressure are two forms of stimulating trigger points in the body. Shiatsu uses a form of acupressure to trigger different point in the body.

There is one key difference between shiatsu and acupressure massage. Acupressure generally uses increasing pressure just over the trigger point. Shiatsu performs a similar technique but also will massage the area around the acupoint as well.

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.

Shiatsu, much like acupressure, uses increasing pressure and small circular movements to activate the trigger points in the body. Additionally, the area around the trigger point will be stretched and pulled to loosen this area as well. This provides relief in addition to assisting with the flow of energy in the body.

Massage chair manufacturers have studied the precise movements of the shiatsu massage technique. A variety of different technologies have been developed to precisely replicate this effective massage treatment.

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.

Vibration motors are also used to help to thoroughly penetrate the muscle tissue this helps to invigorate the muscle and to penetrate completely through it. This helps to relieve tightness and tension.

Many massage chairs also incorporate air massage systems. These systems are driven by an air compressor which pumps compressed air to air bags. The air bags are specially designed to perform compression massage two different parts of the body.

Massage chairs contained computers which are programmed with sophisticated software programs. These programs initiate and run the various systems and a massage chair. The coordination of these different technologies provides for an effective and invigorating shiatsu massage.

You can now find shiatsu massage treatments practiced and almost all parts of the world. This famous technique has a variety of different interpretations. There is no exact method to perform shiatsu massage, but rather there is a general framework of tools which when used together constitutes shiatsu massage.

Shiatsu massage therapy is best thought of as a framework of different techniques. These techniques when used in the right combination are effectively known as shiatsu. These techniques also continue to evolve in order to deliver the most effective treatments.

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.