For example, someone who has a problem with their right shoulder. They may be holding it higher than their left. A Shiatsu practitioner assessing the whole body might see that the Ki is blocked or obstructed in the right shoulder area and that the left side of the body looks weak and lacking in energy. The aim of treatment would be to work to move the energy and restore balance. It is a gentle and unintrusive treatment.
Clients remain clothed and covered with a cloth.
There are no special tools. Although a practitioner may use elbows, knees, forearms or feet to work with it is mainly thumbs, fingers, palms and hands that are used. Thumbing down the bladder meridian or two-handed connectedness Shiatsu does not pretend to be a cure but it can be very effective either to improve general health or for a particular condition or as health maintenance. You will often find a client who attends regularly saying that they really notice when they have missed one or two treatments. Or a student attending an adult education 'Introduction to Shiatsu' will comment how much better they feel since starting the course.