What is Watsu?
Watsu therapy is a very gentle and relaxing treatment thatis performed in warm water (which is at around 35C). When performed properlythen Watsu combines elements of massage (in particular shiatsu massage), joint mobilizationand stretching. The client receiving the treatment is continuously supportedwhilst being floated, cradled, stretched and rocked. The relaxing combinationof warm water with nurturing support creates a bodywork treatment that istherapeutic and healing on many levels.
Watsu began in Harbin Hot Springs, California, with American poet HaroldDull. In the Seventies, Dull becamefascinated with the Japanese acupressure therapy, shiatsu. He felt convinced itwould be even more powerful if combined with the healing properties of water. Thus,Harold Dull began developing it by floating his Zen Shiatsu students inwarm water applying its stretches and moves. Therefore, Watsu is also calledaquatic shiatsu, and the word 'Watsu' comes from the words Water and Shiatsu.
A typical Watsu session lasts around an hour. The therapist will outline thecourse of the session and be able to answer any questions you may have. A rangeof movement tests may be undertaken in cases of restricted mobility. Once inthe water, the therapist wrap floats around your legs to prevent them fromsinking during the session. Your head will be supported throughout the sessionby the therapist along with either low back or knees. You will be gently movedthrough the water in a continuous flowing motion, with the therapist addingstretches, point work and shiatsu massage where appropriate. Your ears will begenerally be under the water, nose and mouth above. Some drift off to sleep,others will remain aware of everything during a session, both are fine.
Therapeutic value ofWatsu
The therapeutic value of Watsu is based in the capacity toalleviate pain, strengthen the body and give back flexibility in patients who werelost the hope of movement for any reason. This type of massage is effective infront of problems like stress, the insomnia and the lack of energy, and also toimprove muscular and bony upheavals of the column and the joints. It canalleviate migraines and is useful against any painful upheaval that impliesrigidity and tension.
Underwater bodywork affects multiple levels (physical,emotional, and psychological) and gradually heals and corrects imbalances,leading to improved body/mind awareness and a general sense of wellbeing andpeace.
On a physical level, the sensation of warmth andweightlessness makes all unnecessary muscular activity stop, you just let go,which from a therapeutic point of view is an ideal way to restore health.
Therefore, the benefits of Watsu are not only physical, theygo further on. It acts in the psychic plane providing calmness and providingthe encounter with oneself therefore alleviating the ills that pronounces inthe body but that are originated in emotional aspects. In fact, during asession of Watsu is possible to produce liberation of not solved emotionalproblems. They can receive children and adults of any age and physical conditions,and not to know how to swim is not an impediment to benefit from all itsqualities.
The practice of slow movement techniques with diaphragmaticbreathing increases alpha electroencephalogram activity; produces righthemispheric activation; decreases sympathetic nervous system arousal andincreases awareness; decreases hypothalamic�pituitary�adrenal activation andimproves the psychological state associated with chronic diseases, anxiety anddepressive disorders, anger management, and stress-related dysrhythmias.
Watsu Benefits forAlzheimers Patients
Researchers attribute gains in brain function to the amount of oxygen that thebrain receives during movement. The brain uses the glucose that it receives(delivered by the oxygen) as fuel for thought. Movement increases production ofa brain chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), whichstimulates the growth of nerve cells in the brain and curbs the development ofAlzheimer's disease as well as other age-related brain degeneration.
While, it would be unreasonable to expect that the Watsuwill be a magic solution for stopping and reversing Alzheimer's, it is anextremely effective weapon to attach the accompanying psychological conditions,which are the Alzheimer's patients are suffering, as depression, anxiety,insomnia, emotional and physical distress and many others.
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