Back pain is a common reason for seeking Shiatsu therapy. Back pain can have various causes: Bad posture, too little exercise or physical strain, muscular imbalance, tension, changes in the spine and intervertebral disc problems. Tension in the chest and abdomen can also manifest itself in back pain. Just like mental strain, stress or trauma. Then we “have our backs to the wall”, “work our humps off” or something “breaks our backs”.
Tense and painful areas in the back usually have poorer blood circulation than other parts of the body. The energy is no longer evenly distributed along the entire spine. In some areas there is too much energy, in others too little. This means that the back cannot perform its tasks flexibly. The nerve cords that conduct the signals from the spinal cord to the whole body can no longer transmit the impulses without interference. Energy in the back is blocked or stagnates and cannot flow freely. The gentle touches and rotations in Shiatsu redress this imbalance. The energy is brought back into flow and the body is supported in letting go of tension. Muscles and fascia relax, congested lymph fluid can drain away. Weaker areas of the back are better supplied with blood and stimulated by heat and movement. Overstimulated nerves come to rest. Letting go during the treatment also has a psychological effect. The emotional part of the back pain is explored in conversation with the therapist.
The interactions between back pain and lifestyle are explored and can be looked at anew by the clients. The body’s self-healing powers are addressed and, at the same time, one’s own patterns are recognised that promote the pain. Shiatsu therapists encourage clients to develop strategies to break unfavourable patterns and also strengthen the back. This can mean loose gymnastics, yoga, heat therapy, but also relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or breathing exercises.
A practical example
Sandra is 30 years old, a former gymnast, trained in financial management and unemployed at the time of her first consultation. She has recently moved with her husband and feels stressed by her unstable situation. A few months before, she had a severe lumbago and has been suffering from severe pain all over her back ever since. School medical examinations did not reveal any concrete findings on the origin of the pain. Sandra also mentions that she often has painful and irregular menstrual bleeding. She also suffers from poor blood circulation in general.
During the treatment, the low-energy lower back is strengthened with deep pressure and the very hard and tense upper back is brought into motion with gentle pressure in a swaying rhythm. The energy can flow again and the tension in the lumbar area is released. The release of the muscles causes a mental relaxation and Sandra can now put into words which points in her life are causing her stress. The fear of prolonged unemployment and its possible effect on her marriage literally freezes her. The more clearly she can perceive these fears, the better she can deal with them. Soon the pain symptoms improve and the therapist works in the following sessions to reduce tension patterns in order to avoid the recurrence of back pain. She recommends Sandra to do gentle stretching exercises regularly to support the treatment. After two months of four sessions, the back pain has significantly reduced, menstrual bleeding is less painful and blood circulation is generally better. Sandra has found her optimism again. Together with the security of a new job, this makes her feel relaxed about her future.