While every Zen Shiatsu session is based on the unique needs and issues of that particular client, the overall phases share common themes which are outlined below.
Note: if you have any specific questions about your Zen Shiatsu appointment at Daniel Adler Clinic, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Phases of a Zen Shiatsu session
Intake questions
Your Zen Shiatsu session starts with some basic questioning to help me establish your main health concern and provide an overview of your general state.
I will inquire about areas such as:
- What is your reason for booking a treatment?
- Where is the issue located?
- How did the issue develop?
- How long has the issue been occurring?
- What alleviates it? What makes it worse?
- How does it affect your lifestyle in areas such as sleep, ability to exercise, emotions, mood, appetite, digestion, or menstruation?
- Have you consulted with your GP or other specialists?
- Has your GP performed any tests or provided a diagnosis?
- Are you taking medications for this specific problem?
- Are you taking any other medications?
- What does your diet consist of?
- What is your regularity of eating?
- What is your level of consuming alcohol, tobacco, and/or recreational drugs?
Clients are often surprised by the amount of detail I go into during an assessment. Some of my questions might seem unrelated – “Why is he asking about my menstruation when I have shoulder pain?” – which is a fair question!
However, the body is a whole and singular unit. In order to understand a specific health complaint I need to see it in relation to the whole.
Ultimately our discussion will determine the best course of action to improve your current state, diminish your stress, and relieve your pain.
Physical assessment
After our initial intake conversation, an abdominal assessment is done to discover which channel-systems are underlying the condition before treatment begins.
The abdominal diagnosis I perform is known as hara, which you can learn more about in this article.
This hands-on assessment allows problematic spots in the body to be determined in a systematic manner before proceeding with treatment.
Preparation
I work mainly on a mat, on the floor, with you lying in a comfortable position. You may be on your stomach, though this position can change depending on the condition we are addressing.
You can choose to wear loose, relaxed clothing, or as little as you are comfortable with (in which case you are appropriately draped with a sheet).
Treatment
During a Zen Shiatsu treatment, I use my fingers, palms, thumbs, elbow, knees, and feet to work with your body. I generally do not use oils, though for certain conditions a gentle liniment may be preferable.
Sometimes I will chant during the session, and may use sound vibration on areas of your body to enhance the healing experience.
Getting started with Zen Shiatsu
I hope that this article has helped you feel more confident and informed as you embark on your journey to better health.
If you have any questions or you are located in Toronto and would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
About Daniel
I am a practitioner of traditional East Asian medicine based in Toronto, Ontario. You can find more about me on my bio or learn more about the treatments I offer.
As always, thanks for reading!
– Daniel (T’agyol) Adler