While both involve physical touch, Shiatsu is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles and focuses on balancing the body’s energy (chi) through pressure on specific points along the meridians. Unlike Swedish or sports massage which uses oil and works primarily on muscles, Shiatsu is performed through clothes and addresses both physical and energetic imbalances. The philosophy behind Shiatsu is the same as acupuncture – it’s essentially the massage component of oriental medicine.

During your first appointment, your practitioner will make an assessment to tailor the treatment to your specific needs. The treatment is performed on a treatment bench, and you remain fully clothed throughout. Your therapist will work up and down the meridians, feeling for excesses and deficiencies of energy. Many people experience a deep state of relaxation – some even fall asleep! After the session, you may feel emotionally released followed by an extraordinary sense of wellbeing.

This depends on your individual condition and goals. Some people come for specific issues like back pain or stress and may see significant improvement in 3-6 sessions. Others use Shiatsu as regular maintenance – many of our clients see Alexandra for treatment as a way of releasing the pressure of everyday life and keeping themselves strong yet relaxed. Taking time to de-stress even for an hour a week can make a marked impact on your life.

Yes, Alexandra has extensive experience working with pregnancy and post natal clients. Shiatsu can be very beneficial during pregnancy, helping with common discomforts like back pain, sleep issues, and the emotional changes that come with expecting. Alexandra adapts her techniques to be safe and supportive for mothers-to-be at all stages of pregnancy.

Shiatsu can be used to treat a wide range of conditions including back pain, insomnia, migraine, stiffness, sports injuries, digestive problems, menstrual problems, and depression. Because Shiatsu aims to balance the whole person rather than just treat isolated symptoms, you can expect an emotional release during your treatment followed by an extraordinary state of relaxation and wellbeing. Many patients also notice improvements in related conditions as their overall health improves.

No, Shiatsu works through clothes. Our practitioner suggests you wear comfortable and loose clothing, preferably trousers and something to keep you warm. This makes Shiatsu particularly convenient as you can have a treatment and return to your day without needing time to change or shower.

Absolutely. Shiatsu works well alongside other treatments at our clinic including osteopathy, physiotherapy, and acupuncture. In fact, Shiatsu shares the same philosophy and aims as acupuncture – it’s essentially the massage part of this oriental treatment system. Many patients combine different therapies for a comprehensive approach to their health.