What to Expect
When you book a session with me, I will ask you to download and return a questionnaire, if possible in advance, so I can think about your symptoms and possible treatment.
Treatments are done fully clothed, best with long sleeves and long legs and socks, ideally in natural materials. This is because skin on skin contact can be distracting from the treatment which works deeper in the body.
At the session we will sit and talk first. I'll check if anything was unclear and needs more detail from the questionnaire. Then I'll ask you how you are and if anything has changed. I'll check whether there are parts of your body I should be careful with or avoid touching, and whether there are positions that would be difficult for you or need more support. I may look at your tongue. I’ll then ask you to lie down, usually on your back to start with, offering you support under your head and knees and checking if you are comfortable. I'll use a freshy laundered cloth under your head. If it is cold we can use blankets.
I'll then do a quick scan of your body, followed by a hara diagnosis (gently touching your belly) and make a few notes.
After this the main treatment starts. This may involve stretches and mobilisations, and gentle pressure on your body with my palms or thumbs. It will usually cover most of your body, and I may ask you to move into side or prone position. We will use bolsters and cushions to ensure that you are comfortable. People don't usually talk during a treatment, but it's fine to tell me if something worries you, or to ask questions, and I may occasionally check if a stretch or pressure is OK. I may remind you to relax and let me do the work of moving your body and
taking your weight, but also not to worry if this doesn't come naturally.
During the session some people fall asleep, some feel meditative, some see colours or images, some are interested in the sensations, some feel invigorated: there is no one best way to experience shiatsu, and it varies from session to session.
I'll tell you when the treatment is finished, and allow you some time to let it settle. I'll offer you a drink of water and ask you how the treatment was, and whether you noticed anything: good, bad or interesting, as all this is useful feedback for me and may be relevant if you come for another treatment. But if you were so relaxed you don't remember that's OK, and was probably what you needed. If you are interested I can tell you something about the meridians that I worked with and things I noticed in your body. I may make recommendations, which could be to use a few pressure points on yourself (I can show you these and email you a picture as a reminder), or to bring awareness to parts of your body or emotional states, or to consider making some lifestyle changes.
