I came across Shiatsu by chance. Until a few months ago, I had never even heard of it. My neighbor — who had good experiences with Louis — pointed me toward Shiatsu as a promising alternative for relieving my physical discomfort. For the past ten years or so, I’ve been increasingly affected by osteoarthritis in my neck, shoulders, back, and hands. Scientifically, there’s still little known about this painful and progressive condition, and there are no established treatment plans to combat it. So when it comes to pain relief and slowing its progression, you’re mostly left to your own devices.
As it turns out, that idea fits well with the core philosophy behind Shiatsu: The body as a self-regulating organism that can stimulate and heal its own blockages and functional issues. The better the flow within your body, the less discomfort you experience — and the more effective the healing process becomes.
Louis’s massage focuses on clearing those blockages in the body’s energy flow. He does this — and not exactly gently — by working intensively on specific pressure points (where waste products tend to obstruct circulation). Louis clears things out, and he does so in a pleasant atmosphere and with a good sense of humor. It’s nothing more than that — but also nothing less. I always leave feeling tired, but pleasantly reset.
I’ve now been seeing Louis for about four months and I’m convinced of the beneficial effects on my osteoarthritis. Shiatsu can’t cure it, but it does help my body become self-regulating again, which makes my joints less painful and more flexible.
Definitely recommended for anyone dealing with similar limitations.