“Reflexology of the emperors“
Shibata Sensei, Japanese acupuncturist and therapist, began to spread his teachings on SOKUSHINDO in 1929.
Literally SOKU–SHIN-DO is a word composed of three words: Soku means “point” Shin “heart” and Do “way”.
“The path that leads to the heart”.
This phrase captures the spirit of this traditional technique of massage on the feet and hands that can reach and deeply stimulate internal organs.
Master Shibata published several books in 1945 for diagnosis and treatment of diseases through Sokushindo. This manual technique is based on the Foundations of Chinese Medicine, the meridians and Tuina.
We would know nothing of this oriental technique, if not for an event that marked the life of this reflexologist. Shibata Sensei treated himself for diabetes, allergies and depression with success. Preceded by his fame and the resolution of his ailments. Hiro Ito, the emperor, summoned him to the imperial court to treat his diabetes as well. This meant not only a great responsibility, but also a matter of life and death because if you did not produce a positive result, then you would have to perform the Harakiri or suicide ritual, common in those days.
The original method of this naturopath includes:
First: An anatomical – organic- reflex –foot and hand map based on acupuncture and meridians.
Second: A description of the main dermalgias or significant changes in the skin or bone deformities that can be seen on the feet and hands including tibial regions of the legs and forearms.
Third: A set of dietary recommendations and lifestyle changes to improve health.
Fourth: The technical manual stimulation of the meridians and reflex zones based on Tuina or Anmo
Fifth: Some specific treatments for common diseases or disorders such as back pain, neck pain, lumbo–sciatica, digestive, menstrual cramps or illnesses typified in Western medicine as chronic.
Sokushindo uses the meridian points of TCM
The feet have three yin meridians and three yang meridians running through them. The three yin of the foot are: Spleen Liver and Kidney. The three yang are: Stomach, Gall Bladder and Bladder.
Foot therapy needs to be supplemented with hand reflexology, if the treatment becomes stagnant or we want to reinforce the treatment . The hands also have three yin and three yang meridians running through them. The three yin meridians located in the hands are: the Pericardium, Heart,and Lung and the three yang meridians are: the Large Intestine, Triple Warmer and Small Intestine.
There are other points outside the main meridians:
The therapist stimulates the metatarsal pads corresponding to the lung and heart in general. Interdigital areas between the first and second finger back pain and esophageal conditions denote. Between the second and third fingers and between the third and fourth we can treat digestive imbalances. Between the fourth and fifth you can feel the pain associated with gallstones and lung problems. Between red and white flesh of the fifth toe, lumbar and urinary problems.
Also, the area around the ankles, which represent the reflex areas of the genitalia, are also massaged.
An exclusive Sokushindo technique is that of applying pressure whilst oscillating the toes, pressing up and down and mobilizing at the same time with the objective to unblock the stagnant energy of the toes.
In TCM the most important acupuncture points for regulating yin and yang energy are found between the tips of the toes/ fingers and the knees /elbows respectively.
The Ting or well point is located on the fingers It is called this because it is the place where the yin and yang energies meets and mix. It’s like the source of a river.
The second point is at the base of the fingers and is called Long point or Rong point which translates as stream. There the Qi or energy is very strong. If calluses on the toes have formed or if the toes are highly deformed and rigid, we have a problem: the energy is not flowing and the river dries. Our health depends, in part, on how we treat our feet.
What to expect from a SOKUSHINDO session?
Initially a detailed observation of the feet and hands is performed; The first pass or maneuver is Tui – friction, belonging to the FIRE element. It is applied to all 6 major meridians of the feet.
We apply AN – quick stimulating pressure to discover the pain points in the 5 meridians of the feet. At the points which are algid or painful , TON – vibration, is applied combined with ROU– rotation. Its functions are, respectively, to inhibit pain, nourish the point, harmonize the yin and yang and detoxify. The patient breathes gently through the nose until the pain is more bearable or disappears.
The manipulation of the affected toes with pressure and mobilization is the characteristic method of this technique The technique is applied to the left foot and then to the right. We finish with thumb pressure on the limbs three lines from the sural-tibial region: an internal line – spleen an external line – stomach and posterior line – bladder.
In the event that foot reflexology is not sufficient, we can complement with hand reflexology, using the same steps of that of the foot. First, we work the yin meridians -Lung, Pericardium, and Heart. Second the Yang: Large Intestine, Triple Heater and Small Intestine. We also apply the pressure and mobilization techniques to the fingers most affected and end by pressing the required meridians on the forearms.
In the event that the foot reflexology is not sufficient, we can complement with a reflex massage on the hands, using the same steps of that of the foot. First we work the yin meridians -Lung, Pericardium, and Heart. Second the Yang: Large Intestine, Triple Heater and Small Intestine. We also apply the pressure and mobilization techniques to the fingers most affected and end by pressing the required meridians on the forearms.