Judi - smiling as always!
Judi Fuller is the Shiatsu practitioner at Edinburgh’s Sports Injury Clinic. The clinic delivers physiotherapy, massage, chiropody and Pilates to athletes seeking improved performance and/or needing injury rehabilitation. The clinic has successfully kept the Factory Gyms Team running, lifting, rowing and cycling – despite a dislocated shoulder, a damaged pelvis, flat feet, endless knee injuries and multiple back strains over the years! Indeed, massage is a vital component of any athletes training. In this interview, Judi discusses physical health and performance from the Chinese Medicine perspective, and explains how Shiatsu helps her clients achieve their goals by bringing overall balance to the body and mind.
What is Shiatsu?
“Shiatsu is a sophisticated Japanese Healing Art that has evolved from Traditional Chinese Medicine (the same ancient system as Acupuncture). It is a relaxing treatment proven to relieve back pain, stress, headaches, whiplash injuries, neck stiffness, joint pain, reduced mobility and treat a variety of sport related injuries. Unlike most massage therapies, Shiatsu aims to restore balance and wholeness to the mind, body and spirit by stimulating flows of energy within the body. The treatment uses finger and hand pressure (coupled with the energy of the practitioner) to unblock the meridian channels (information pathways) and stimulate a free flow of energy within the body. A session typically consists of various techniques including leaning and pressing into the body along meridians and includes joint rotations and stretches.”
Shiatsu combines a number of techniques to provide a full-body massage and stretch.
How does Shiatsu improve athletic performance?
“Shiatsu relaxes the body and mind. Athletes and performers of all kinds experience astonishing levels of coordination and dexterity. Clients often talk of being in the ‘zone’ where actions are effortlessly synchronised and integrated with fellow performers. In martial arts it is commonplace, but dancers and team players such as football and rugby players also describe an uncanny sense of each other’s movements and whereabouts. Clients also find that regular shiatsu relieves tension and improves focus, motivation and their commitment to training. Shiatsu immediately prior to a competition or major event completes their preparation by uniting the body and mind. Shiatsu gives atletes enhanced focus, performance and positive self-esteem, providing that ‘edge’ that winners need.”
How does Shiatsu work?
Shiatsu is commonly used by martial artists to relieve strains and focus the mind before and after competition
“Chinese Medicine theory suggests that the body regulates its health and healing via an intricate network of connective tissues and that in order to function optimally each cell in the body needs to be in ‘communication’ with every other cell. The body is essentially composed of an interconnected, ‘living matrix’ of liquid crystals, through which near-instant communication is effected via electromagnetic fields and bio-photon emissions. This incredibly rapid and effective communication is possible because of the liquid crystalline nature of connective tissue and the electromagnetic conductive properties of its associated water structure. The Shiatsu practitioner’s intention modifies this biomagnetic field, while the relaxed pressure on connective tissue enhances the communication through the piezo-electric effect. Complete health corresponds to total interconnection and so Shiatsu seeks to promote interconnection and the free flow of energy. Accumulated physical and or emotional trauma impairs these connections, thereby, impairing the body’s defence and repair systems and slowing recovery.”
I’m nothing like a pro-athlete, is this really relevant to me?
“Fitness demands mental and physical strength, stamina, power and endurance. However, it is easy to focus on the physical elements of fitness and ignore the mental component. If you struggle with a lack of motivation, mental endurance, determination or even fear training, get training your mind. It is said that success is mostly a matter of psychology – winners are physically and mentally strong. There’s no doubt motivation, focus, commitment, self-esteem, and overall attitude have a massive impact on performance and success. Whether your goal is improved performance, weight loss, muscle building or broad-spectrum fitness, don’t ignore the psychological demands of your training. Train like an athlete; always train to win.”
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