Mothers Day Special, and more info on Shaitsu Massage

Thinking about coming to Tahoe this May? Rika and I are offering a Mothers Day Special that will be good for the entire month of May. If you receive a 1 1/2 hour spa treatment we will reduce the price by $25!. You can look over our entire menu at tahoemassage.com.

This past weekend was the closing for most of Tahoe's ski areas, although a few are still open. What a fantastic season this was. It seems like I had more fantastic tree and powder skiing this year than in most previous years. As the snow melts I'll be letting everyone know about some good hiking trails in and around the Tahoe area.

Shiatsu (指圧 Japanese from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure) is a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan. It is promoted as a natural way to help people relax and cope with issues such as stress, muscle pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression; but there is no scientific evidence proving that shiatsu can treat any disease. There are two main Shiatsu schools: one based on western anatomical and physiological theory and the other based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Shiatsu is regulated as a licensed medical therapy by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan), and elsewhere by various governing bodies set up by Shiatsu practitioners. Shiatsu is an evolving form, and its various styles incorporate (to differing degrees) aspects of Japanese massage traditions, Chinese Medicine practice, and "Western" anatomy and physiology. Rika and I learned this form of massage in San Francisco. Our teacher David Palmer learned this massage from a Japanese therapist who moved to California from Japan. For more information, please see our web site...mike

Massage Facts

It’s a fact. Every year, more and more people rely on therapeutic massage and bodywork for relaxation, pain relief, health concerns, rehabilitation and general wellness. To help you better understand this rapidly growing field, Rika and I would like to share some information with you.
•Massage may be the oldest form of medical care – Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged.*

•A Chinese book written in 2,700 BC – The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine – recommended the “massage of skin and flesh”.*

•Today, 39 million American adults – more than one out of every six – get at least one massage each year.**

•Massage therapy has been proven effective in:
Relieving back pain
Boosting immune system
Reducing anxiety
Lowering blood pressure
Treating migraines
Decreasing carpal tunnel symptoms
Easing post-operative pain
Alleviating side effects of cancer**
While its great to get a massage after a big event (skiing, hiking, mountain biking) its ok to get a massage for general health.

Shiatsu Massage (AMMA)

Shiatsu Massage is my favorite massage modality. I have always leaned towards asian techniques for body work. After clients receive this treatment, they are amazed at how good they feel. "Relaxed, but re'vitalized" is what we hear from our clients.
“AMMA” (pronounced (AHM—MAH) is a Japanese word which means “to calm with the hands.” Massage was brought to Japan from China 1,300 years ago along with the healing arts of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
AMMA is also frequently prescribed as an adjunct to corrective treatment by both western and eastern doctors. Shiatsu, a style of massage that became popular in Japan and the United States after 1945, has its roots in the Amma tradition.
Thumbs, elbows and forearms are used in this modality. The pressure is normally applied rhythmically over the entire body allowing for tension to release. Also included are a variety of stretches to the arms, legs, neck, upper and lower back.
This massage is traditionally done over a sheet with the client dressed in loose fitting clothes. Rika and I learned this massage in San Francisco, and are proud to bring in to Lake Tahoe!....mike