Extracted from The Back Pain Sourcebook by Stephanie Levin-Gervasi

This method of finger pressure has been used widely in Japan for over a 1,000 years. During the Tokugawa period in Japan, the shogunate organized a school of massage for the blind in order to give them a profession. From that time until the second world war, Anma, or Japanese massage was practiced primarily by the blind. These blind professionals were known as Anma-san. They walked through the streets blowing high-pitched bamboo whistles to alert their clients that they were ready to come into their homes to give a shiatsu treatment.

Today, the shiatsu practitioner, often a small individual, uses his or her palms, thumbs, feet and sometimes knees to apply a rhythmic pressure to the body. By using finger pressure on the acupuncture points, shiatsu stimulates the Ki to flow through the bones, nerves, arteries and skin. Moderate pressure applied all over the body stimulates the flow of energy. While there may be moments of intense pressure, shiatsu promotes a feeling of well-being and relaxation. The environment is relaxing and peaceful.

Shiatsu can help your back ache by stimulating your life-blood energy of Ki to flow. While shiatsu applied correctly has little risk, some folks don't care for the intense pressure. There can be moments where the pressure borders on pain, but once released, the pain gives way to relief. Ask your practitioner to adjust the the finger pressure if it is too hard. While shiatsu is not as relaxing as a Swedish massage which uses stroking movements, the end result is one of rejuvenation and balance. An hour shiatsu session costs between $50 to $60. The sessions end with a cupped pounding on the back to wake up the energy. Truly, you feel like a new man or woman after a shiatsu massage.