I love any kind of practice that helps people feel more relaxed, relieved of pain, less anxious, less depressed, eased of trauma, more joyous, and feeling tickety-boo, as they say in England. Two physical therapies that particularly resonate with me are Osteopathy and Shiatsu. And they share many similarities in philosophy and even some of the same techniques. That’s why I have studied both modalities and use a blend of each in some treatments. My body, and emotional state, never feel so good as when I receive Osteopathy or Shiatsu. It feels like everything inside flows more clearly and I am both relaxed and invigorated at the same time.
With the average treatment time often being only 60 minutes, I have found that the most effective method is to focus on those systems and techniques that will have maximum impact to the whole body. If a client needs Osteopathic techniques for joint realignment, it makes sense to also use Soft Tissue Massage to relax the surrounding muscles so they don’t pull those joints back out of alignment and Shiatsu so the body has more energy to heal itself in the days following treatment.
As I mentioned, Osteopathy, Shiatsu and Soft Tissue Massage share many of the same techniques and I believe that our bodies communicate to us exactly what is needed for maintaining its health – this includes which modalities to use. All the physical therapist needs to do is use their senses to listen to what each individual client is communicating to them – be that via verbal feedback, information from client intake forms, palpation of tissues, mobility and postural assessments or by noticing their emotional state. Throughout each treatment I encourage my clients to take control of their own healing by being involved in the exchange.
I often hear “My body feels like it wants to move in that direction..” or “It feels weird when you move my leg that way…It’s better that other way…” or “It feels like my hip is being drawn this way…” or “There is pain/hotness/tightness when I do this movement…” or “Too much pressure there, ease off please..” or “That feels great…” and so on. It can be absolutely anything, and it is all super useful information for both the client and me as their physical therapist. We know our own body better than anybody else. The therapist’s job is to facilitate the instructions they are receiving from the client who is the real expert of their own body.
Being a Manual Osteopathic Practitioner and Bodywork Therapist I often usea combination of Osteopathy, Shiatsu and Soft Tissue Massage in the same session to offer the best of all worlds for my clients — the structural precision of osteopathic treatment with the deeply relaxing, energy-balancing flow of Shiatsu and the muscle tension relief of Soft Tissue Massage. All of this is done over the clothes and on a massage table or Shiatsu mat. Nice and simple.
During each session, I’ll use gentle osteopathic techniques to release restrictions in the joints, muscles, and fascia, which helps to restore natural movement and alignment. This is complemented by rhythmic Shiatsu pressure and stretches that calm the nervous system, support circulation, and rebalance the body’s energy pathways. The Soft Tissue Massage can then help support realigned joints stay in place as tight muscles are now relaxed.
The result is a holistic treatment that works on both the physical, emotional and energetic levels — easing tension, improving posture and flexibility, and leaving you feeling centered, restored, and deeply relaxed.
What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese form of bodywork based on the same principles as acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine – but with no needles. The word shiatsu means “finger pressure” and instead of needles, a practitioner uses their hands, thumbs, elbows, and sometimes knees to apply gentle, rhythmic pressure along the body’s energy pathways (called meridians). The goal is to balance the flow of energy (or qi) throughout the body, supporting natural healing and overall wellbeing.
Energy you say!? Chuff and Nonsense!
Here is a little bit of science – or rather anatomy and physiology – for those among you who might regard energy as belonging in La La Land. The meridians in the body actually align perfectly with the body’s Primo Vascular System (PVS) which is a network of tiny, superficial vessels and nodes that researchers, following the work of Bonghan Kim, are investigating as a potential physical basis for meridians. It contains a fluid rich in DNA and hyaluronic acid and is thought to be involved in stem cell production and cellular regeneration. Some studies suggest the distribution of the PVS not only aligns with established meridian lines, but that it may also play a role in the transmission of signals associated with acupuncture.
Ok, mic-drop. Nerd over and out. Back to Shiatsu!
What a Shiatsu Massage Feels Like
A Shiatsu session is typically done through light clothing, on a padded mat or massage table. The experience often feels deeply calming yet revitalizing. You might notice the gentle pressing of muscles, stretching, rocking motions, and rotating your joints in smooth, flowing movements. The pressure can range from light to firm, depending on your needs and comfort. Many people describe it as grounding, centering, and leaving them with a warm sense of balance and clarity.
Benefits of Shiatsu
Shiatsu is known for promoting relaxation and relieving both physical and emotional tension. Benefits can include:
- Reduced muscle stiffness and joint pain
- Improved circulation and flexibility
- Better sleep and stress relief
- Enhanced energy levels and mental clarity
- Support for digestive and immune health
Sound familiar? Sounds a little bit like Osteopathy right!?
Overall, Shiatsu encourages harmony between body, mind and emotions — helping you feel more relaxed, aligned, and restored.
Simply combine the above benefits with Manual Osteopathy and Soft Tissue Massage & Therapeutic Bodywork techniques and you will be levitating out of the treatment room in 60 minutes…. Who needs electric cars to save the planet when you can levitate from place to place! Ok that’s an over-claim…and maybe Shiatsu and Osteopathy can’t do that! But at the very least you will feel great, lighter, more relaxed, pain free, clearer and you will move better.
Max’s Locations
Monday – 10am to 8pm @ Mobile in-house/at-work service Tri-Cities and Greater Vancouver – Book here: https://ithaca.noterro.com
Tuesday – 2pm to 8pm @ Dovira Care Integrative Health Clinic, 3020 Lincoln Ave, 109, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 6B4 – Book here: https://dovira.janeapp.com
Saturday – 10am to 8pm @ Dovira Care Integrative Health Clinic, 3020 Lincoln Ave, 109, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 6B4 – Book here: https://dovira.janeapp.com
Sunday – 11am to 5pm @ Mobile in-house/at-work service Tri-Cities and Greater Vancouver – Book here: https://ithaca.noterro.com
If you have any questions about bookings or Manual Osteopathy & Therapeutic Bodywork please email Max at ithacawellnesscanada@gmail.com or call 778-929-6143
We would like to respectfully acknowledge that Ithaca Wellness operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded shared territories of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Stó:lō (Sto:lo) First Nations. We give thanks to these nations who continue to live on and care for these lands and waters, and for their wisdom towards wildlife.