Shiatsudo Blog

I had a call last week from someone who wanted to know if shiatsu could be used to help overcome a fear of flying. I was honest and told her that I had no experience in treating phobias and that shiatsu, being primarily bodywork, might not be her best option, and that something like counselling might tackle the problem more directly.

Of course, from a TCM perspective, phobias and fears will present as a particular pattern or disharmony, and once diagnosed and treated, should be cured. Shiatsu as a therapy tries to bring the person back into harmony through bodywork, but I am a bit wary of claiming it to be a “cure all” type of therapy. With issues that tend to be more in the mind than the body (attitudes, fears, perceptions etc), I find shiatsu usually works rather more subtly, and over a period of time rather than “one treatment and you are cured”. Of course it depends on the condition – sometimes you do get the latter.

Anyway, I’m a firm believer in using the appropriate treatment for the ailment. And in this case, I thought someone who specialises more in the mind would be better able to tackle the problem directly than I would. I hope I gave her good advice.