When Ms. Visconti first began her graphic design career, she witnessed co-workers sit for many hours in front of computers and she was concerned for those who suffered from computer terminal stress disorders like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). This prompted her to take the Shiatsu Therapy course at the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo in Toronto, ON, a private school.
Shiatsu Therapy is a contemporary healing art form that was conceived by Tokujiro Namikoshi of Japan in the early 1900s. The ‘shi’ of shiatsu means ‘finger’ and the ‘atsu’ means ‘pressure’ in Japan. The purpose of shiatsu is to relax the nervous system and improve one’s health by stimulating the body’s natural powers of recuperation. It is particularly effective in removing the fatigue and anxiety caused by the daily stresses and tensions of life.
How is Shiatsu applied?
Shiatsu is administered to a client lying on a soft mat on the floor, special therapy table or chair. Loose-fitting clothing is worn during the treatment such as shorts, a t-shirt, or light track pants. The length of the treatment varies in time, depending on the nature of the problem, but usually takes one hour. Pressure is applied to the whole body except when there is a specific pathological condition, in which case the treatment is localized.
What kind of pressure is used?
Shiatsu is a gentle, soothing pressure applied to specific anatomical points on the body using the thumbs, fingers, and palms. There are 700 pressure points in the body. If you have an area in the body that is stressed, you might experience some ‘feel good’ pain during the treatment. However, the focus of shiatsu is to encourage the body to heal.
People who suffer from pathological conditions such as whiplash, migraine headaches, lumbago, and repetitive stress/strain injuries (i.e. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, tendonitis, etc.) find an increase in mobility and return of strength to the affected areas. Also, shiatsu alleviates menopause, premenstrual stress, depression, and numerous other conditions. Shiatsu is an effective way of alleviating tension in the body by implementing the traditional application and procedure.
Grace C. Visconti, Certified Shiatsu Practitioner and Shiatsu Master
Grace Visconti is a Certified Shiatsu Practitioner and Shiatsu Master as she has been practicing full-time and part-time for the past 24 years in Toronto, ON and Calgary, AB. She received her shiatsu training from Kensen Saito at the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo, in Toronto, ON Canada from 1991-1992. Also, she took a special seminar with Tokujiro Namikoshi’s son Toru Namikoshi, who traveled extensively worldwide to reinforce traditional shiatsu techniques.
After studying the traditional techniques of shiatsu that closely adhered to the original form conceived by Tokujiro Namikoshi, Ms. Visconti then worked at the school clinic for 6 months to practice this healing art form. Following this practicum in Toronto, she went on to work with chronic pain patients at The Krispin Centre, a company that was associated with the Canadian Chronic Pain Association at the time.
In 1995, she participated in the 12th International Shiatsu Congress held in Toronto where the founder of shiatsu Tokujiro Namikoshi was honored. He was 92 years old when he traveled to Toronto for the special event. She designed and wrote the promotional material for the Congress.
When she was a member of the Shiatsu Diffusion Society (Ontario), Ms. Visconti designed, edited, wrote, conducted interviews, and produced the Thumbs Up for Shiatsu newsletter twice a year.
In 1996, Ms. Visconti assisted in the initiation process of regulating shiatsu in Toronto with her teacher Kensen Saito by strategizing as well as preparing a binder of articles and promotional pieces she designed to educate the Toronto City Council as part of the pitch. Clients, other supporters of shiatsu, and students from the school participated as well, giving their testimonies to Toronto City Council regarding the many benefits of shiatsu. The pitch was successful and shiatsu was regulated shortly thereafter.
From 2001-2010 in Calgary, AB, she worked at the Holy Cross Centre as a Shiatsu Practitioner, sharing her knowledge of traditional shiatsu techniques with the people of Calgary. Presently, she practices Mobile Shiatsu in Calgary.
Brief History of Shiatsu Masters
The term Shiatsu Masters refers to graduates who have been fully and successfully trained in the technique outlined by the founder of shiatsu, Tokujiro Namikoshi. The traditional shiatsu technique is a process that involves a specific procedure where the application of shiatsu is given to clients who benefit from the thoroughness of its procedure. The title Shiatsu Masters was initially created by the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo in Toronto, ON to classify students who have graduated from this private school.
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Contact Grace C. Visconti to inquire about receiving a treatment.
