Abdomen treatment is essential to and one of the major characteristics of Namikoshi Shiatsu. <Part 1>
The nervous system in the gut (ENS) is referred to as our body’s “second brain.” Because of this, stress that happens in our gut can influence what happens in our brain, and vice versa.
The following article gives a simple explanation of gut-brain axis (GBA).
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-brain-connection
If there is discomfort anywhere in the body, stiffness may appear in the abdomen, which is one way to assess the client’s condition.
The autonomic nervous system is stimulated by abdominal Shiatsu pressure, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system that induces relaxation in our bodies.
Abdominal Shiatsu works to not only stimulate digestion and regulate the functioning of the intestines, but it also affects the whole body. It is also effective to start with abdominal Shiatsu to loosen up the whole body and then treat the affected area. When a patient has acute lower back pain, the abdomen treatment aiming to relax the rectus abdominis and iliopsoas muscles instead of the affected area helps to ease the pain
Abdomen treatment is essential to and one of the major characteristics of Namikoshi Shiatsu.<Part 2>
As we learned in Part 1, modern science reveals the interesting fact that there is communication between the gut and brain! Here are the quotes from Tokujiro sensei, the founder of Namikoshi Shiatsu who heavily emphasized these points when lecturing abroad.
Referring to the text from Yujiro Namikoshi sensei’s workshop:
As the Japanese saying goes “When your face smiles, your stomach smiles. When your face is angry, your stomach is also angry.” Our organs are closely linked to our emotions and they respond as such.
To fully understand your own body, it is important to practice Shiatsu on oneself. Especially the self-shiatsu on your abdominal area.
