Touch & the Parasympathetic Response: an essential shiatsu technique
One of the most essential techniques to understand and apply while giving shiatsu is using touch to stimulate the relaxation response, also known as the parasympathetic nervous system response. To explore this essential shiatsu technique, click the play button on the video below:
Shiatsu is an ancient form of therapeutic bodywork that uses pressure, stretching and structural manipulations to balance energy. One of the things we focus on to balance and facilitate the flow of energy is creating a relaxation response in the body. This of course has numerous positive benefits. But how do we do this and what is the physiology behind it?
The nervous system is the key, specifically the switch from a more 'fight and flight' (a sympathetic nervous response) to a 'rest and regenerate' response (the parasympathetic response). These are the 2 branches of our autonomic nervous system. When pressure is applied to the body, first the sympathetic branch of the nervous system activates to receive and interpret the information. It creates a barrier between the hand and the receiver's body while their protective mechanism evaluates the quality of the stimulus. Once the body determines that it's a positive stimulation, the sympathetic response relaxes. The barrier feels like it melts away and the parasympathetic response activates. Now this regenerating branch of the nervous system receives the stimulation and distributes it wherever is needed for repair and/or regeneration.
This ‘switch’ in the nervous system response creates a softening sensation underneath your hands when doing shiatsu. Bringing your conscious awareness to this change in sensation and cultivating the sensitivity to feel it is key to giving shiatsu treatments that are penetrating and truly life-enhancing.