What is Watsu?
Many individuals have different perceptions about what Watsu is. Some believe it is from a Japanese word that means"water" while others think it's out of a Polynesian phrase. It's true that the first practitioners were Japanese, but the forms they developed have nothing at all to do with Japanese water philosophy. The first Watsu came from China, and it has influences of both Japanese and Chinese martial arts.
The original practitioners believed there was something peculiar about their patients that caused them pain. They attributed it to a blockage of chi or energy in the patient's body. It's often called"anma" which is actually just another word for chi or the universal life force. The practice's movements are very similar to those of Tai Chi. They are generally soft and circular, spiraling, arch, pendulum-like motion, and waves, just like Tai Chi.
There's no uniform term for Watsu, but it usually involves some form of massage, manipulation, or motion therapy involving the whole body. A therapist spends a whole lot of time getting into the patient's body and working with many areas of the body. Some forms of Watsu can only be administered by a qualified therapist who specializes in treating injuries and skeletal disorders. However, in a lot of cases, you can get a good Watsu treatment at any fitness center or gym with the right therapist. It's not recommended that you start doing Watsu yourself, since it is not something you can master in a short amount of time.
One popular kind of Watsu therapy is known as"chiogging". It involves a therapist getting deeply within the legs of the individual when massaging it. This may also help treat juvenile arthritis. Another fantastic type of Watsu is called"tsumesentera". In this therapy, the therapist inserts long needles into specific points of the client's body.
In Japan, there's a college of Watsu called"harbin". This school specializes in using different massage strokes for treating patients with neurological or muscular conditions. Harbin physical therapists are often used by athletes, but there's no evidence that it helps them perform better than athletes without this sort of training.
Different styles of watsu exist, and some differ from country to country. Watsu in Japan is most commonly associated with sports like football, tennis, and weightlifting. In China, water is most commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In Europe, aqua bodywork is most commonly used for treating people with back and leg pain, arthritis, stress, depression, and detoxification.
Although this sort of physical therapy is becoming more popular, there's still a lot of debate as to the benefits of this ancient Japanese technique. Lots of people feel that if you want to get better, you must do the"work" yourself. That is why they prefer going to watsu studios rather than attempting to perform the techniques on their own. But for some folks, it's just easier to have someone do the work for them. Even if the therapist uses a more traditional set of aquatic bodywork exercises, lots of individuals report that the benefits are still worth the time and expense.
No matter your reason for seeking out this type of therapy, it is important to know what you are getting. Watsu may look like something from a foreign film, but the reality is, it is a very natural, safe way to get healthier and perform various therapeutic massages. If you suffer from any kind of chronic condition or injury, you should definitely consider water therapy as a way to treat your conditions. It is safe and effective for all ages. With proper instruction and supervision, water might even be able to help your child with Juvenile Arthritis.