Watsu is a portmanteau of water and shiatsu, is a form of body massage performed while lying in warm water (around 35° C). It was developed by Harold Dull back in 1980, when he started applying Zen Shiatsu stretches to students floating in the warm pool at Harbin Hot Springs in California. The receiver of Watsu treatment is continuously supported by the therapist while he or she rocks and gently stretches the body. Because it is performed in the water, the body is free to be manipulated and stretched in ways impossible while on the land.
Watsu’s gentle stretches have a therapeutic effect on the body. The buoyancy and support of the water allow the spinal column to be moved in ways that aren't possible on land. Many people also find it works on an emotional level as well, promoting trust and connection.
Watsu is proving its effectiveness with chronic pain and a widening range of conditions. It has been welcomed as a primary modality in Rehabilitation by Aquatic Therapists and is taught in universities around the world. In addition to the physical benefits derived from the movements and stretches warm water facilitates, Watsu's power to reduce stress underlies both its effectiveness with those conditions in which stress is implicated and its growing popularity among the general public.
Watsu promotes a deep state of relaxation with dramatic changes in the autonomic nervous system. Through quieting the sympathetic and enhancing the parasympathetic nervous systems, Watsu has profound effects on the neuromuscular system.
Watsu is proving its effectiveness with chronic pain and a widening range of conditions. It has been welcomed as a primary modality in Rehabilitation by Aquatic Therapists and is taught in universities around the world. In addition to the physical benefits derived from the movements and stretches warm water facilitates, Watsu's power to reduce stress underlies both its effectiveness with those conditions in which stress is implicated and its growing popularity among the general public.
Watsu promotes a deep state of relaxation with dramatic changes in the autonomic nervous system. Through quieting the sympathetic and enhancing the parasympathetic nervous systems, Watsu has profound effects on the neuromuscular system.
The sympatholytic effects of Watsu lead to enhancement of the parasympathetic nervous system. Physiological changes then occur throughout the body. These changes may include:
- Decreased heart rate.
- Decreased rate of respiration
- Increased depth of respiration
- Increased peripheral vasodilatation
- Increased smooth muscle activity (digestion)
- Decreased activation of striated muscles (skeletal)
- Decreased spasticity
- Decreased muscle spasm
- Decreased Reticular Activating System activity
- Enhanced immune system response
Watsu helps decrease muscle tension and increase range of motion. The support of the water provides relief from compression forces in the joints. The movements through the water provide gentle stretching into all ranges for the spine and extremities while these joints are unloaded.
Watsu is being incorporated into aquatic therapy treatment programs in hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centers around the world. Therapists are impressed by the benefits for so many of their clients. Some of the many populations who have benefited include those with
- traumatic brain injury
- spinal cord injury
- strokes
- Parkinson’s Disease
- arthritis
- cerebral palsy
- chronic pain
- fibromyalgia
- ankylosing spondylitis
- post mastectomy
- post thoracic surgery
- post traumatic stress disorder.
All the information were taken by the official watsu site (www.watsu.com).
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