As the name already implies, Shiatsu Anma Therapy is a combination of Shiatsu Massage and Anma Massage techniques. This therapeutic massage modality was developed by Dr. DoAnn Kaneko, a doctor of Oriental medicine, an acupuncturist, lecturer, and author on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Shiatsu Anma massage techniques include the use of pressure, Acupressure, kneading, stretching, tapping, soothing, shaking, and vibrating. Furthermore, a Shiatsu Anma treatment may also include Ampuku Hara Abdominal Massage.
A massage session can take about one hour — using a Kata which is called the Long Form — or half an hour — using the Short Form Kata — and is carried out while the receiver reclines in the prone position (lying on the belly), supine position (lying on the back), and in the sitting position.
Additionally, it’s also possible to massage a client in the side-lying position, which would make the session of longer duration, usually around ninety minutes.
Before carrying out a Shiatsu Anma Therapy session, a treatment plan is designed by using traditional Japanese diagnostic i.e. assessment techniques, such as pulse reading, back reading, and Fukushin Hara Abdominal Evaluation.