"When I wake up, I am reborn." Mahatma Gandhi
We can generally talk about insomnia when we are unable to sleep peacefully for a period of 4 to 8 hours consequently.
When sleep disorders occur, many aspects of our life are affected. We feel nervous because we cannot rest and relax properly. Sleeping is our first natural source of relaxation and regeneration and insomnia will affect all the rest of our life over a long period. This is why it is important to restore our natural sleep patterns as soon as possible. Why is insomnia a very common problem in our society?
Poor diet, excessive worries, sedentary life, pressing deadlines, anxiety and stress are all factors that bring tensions in our bodies. And when it’s under pressure, our mind becomes incapable to relax. Chronic pain can be another cause of insomnia. Shiatsu and self-Shiatsu can help with both, as research done at the University of Alberta has shown. Is Insomnia the main problem?
I believe that Insomnia and sleep disorders are just symptoms that brings other problems to the light, but don’t worry because every problem has a solution! We need to see Insomnia as the way our body use to ask for attention, awareness and self-care.
How can Shiatsu help with insomnia and sleep disorders?
Shiatsu stimulates the circulation of body fluids and improves the dilation of blood vessels, helping with the toxins’ elimination.Shiatsu sessions also benefit the Nervous System that is involved in our rest/activity balance.
Different causes for Insomnia: a shiatsu point of view. Insomnia from muscular tension and stiffness If the main causes are muscular tensions and stiffness, the Shiatsu sessions will be focused to relax the muscles using techniques that bring the individual toward a major awareness of her/his body.
Often who suffers from insomnia is very tense in the areas of shoulders, nape, neck and jaws. In this case, the Shiatsu practitioner might treat the energetic channel of Gall Bladder, Triple Heater and Bladder.
Insomnia from digestive issues If insomnia derives from digestive issues, the Shiatsu sessions will be focused on strengthening the digestive system via the work, among the others, on the Stomach, Spleen/Pancreas or Liver energetic channels and the first session may be followed by some diet indications.
Insomnia due to anxiety and emotional problems When Insomnia is due to emotional problems as anxiety, the Shiatsu sessions may work on the Heart, Kidney or Spleen energetic channels, supporting the client to relieve the tensions in those channels. The first session may be followed by some indication for breathing exercise and acupressure points tips.
Insomnia from overthinking Sometimes Insomnia is due to overthinking when the mind is full of thoughts even when it’s time to switch it off and sleep. The Shiatsu sessions will be directed on balancing the channels involved (usually Spleen/Pancreas) with a particular focus on a grounding work on the whole individual’s body-mind. Diet indications and breathing and stretching exercise tips may follow the session.
Insomnia from stress When the main cause of insomnia is stress, usually the channels involved are the Kidneys and the Bladder that is connected with the body-mind’s stress response activity via adrenals and the Heart channel that is the centre of our emotional response. In such cases the Shiatsu treatments will support the client at all levels, focusing on the restoration of healthy and balanced stress response through the bodywork with some breathing indications to relieve stress.
If you want to know more about the self-Shiatsu guided session please click here.