What You'll Learn

• The benefits, indications, contraindications, and assessments for Shiatsu massage
• The application and techniques of Shiatsu
• The history of Shiatsu
• Traditional Chinese medicine, including Qi, Yin Yang theory, Five Element theory, channels (meridians), tsubo, as well as principles of traditional Thai medicine

Approvals in the United States

50 NCBTMB Approved Continuing Education Units- Shiatsu & Traditional Chinese Medicine 

• • Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy NCBTMB Approved Provider Number: 1020

Course Overview

Students of the TCM & Shiatsu Program will learn how to perform Shiatsu which originates from Japan and is based on balancing the energetic systems of the body.

To give students a solid foundation of knowledge to support the hands-on skills learned, the history of the modality is presented, along with traditional Chinese medicine, including Qi, Yin Yang theory, Five Element theory, channels (meridians), and tsubo. 

Students learn the benefits, indications, contraindications, and assessments for shiatsu and Thai massage. In our Shiatsu and Thai massage training programs, students will also learn the proper application of palming, finger and thumbing techniques, elbow and forearm techniques, stretching, joint mobilization, and foot techniques with the use of effective and efficient body mechanics.

Warm-up, centering, and focusing methods are emphasized as well as postural awareness. At the completion of the class, students are able to perform 60-minute traditional shiatsu treatment on a mat on the floor.

Both written and hands-on evaluations will be used to assess students for a complete understanding of techniques prior to receipt of the Shiatsu certification.

The addition of this modality makes practitioners more versatile, enriching the menu of services bodywork practitioners offer their clients. For example, some clients will be drawn to the centering and grounding aspects of the Shiatsu practice. Clients may like that no lubricants are used and that they remain fully clothed instead of being draped by a sheet. This versatility can help develop a stable client base by giving clients options in addition to Western massage therapy.

Prerequisites

• Must be a Licensed or Certified Massage Therapist
• Shiatsu is performed on mats on the ground. There is significantly greater physical demand on the body of the practitioner than traditional table work including spending time kneeling, bending, lifting, squatting, sitting on the buttocks, and using the feet and toes.