My name is Susan Crawshaw. I qualified in 1999 as a Shiatsu Practitioner following a 3-year diploma course with the European School of Shiatsu in London. I am a Member of the Professional Register of the UK Shiatsu Society (MRSS), for which you undergo further examination and peer interview, and I abide by their Code of Conduct and Ethics.
I was fully trained in all aspects of Traditional Oriental Medicine, along with a western medical understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and Shiatsu technique. Over the years I have undergone further training in:
- Pelvic Correction (diagnosis and correction technique) (gained Alexander Barrie Diploma in 2001),
- 'spineworks' techniques to help vertebral alignment,
- Japanese Sotai system of assisted stretching techniques,
- Shiatsu for specific situations (such as pregnancy and labour, back problems, emotional issues, pain relief),
- the use of the ancient techniques of 'cupping' (using glass cups applied directly to the skin to help alleviate particular conditions),
- moxabustion or 'moxa' (the burning of a particular herb on, or close to specific acupoints, to help alleviate particular conditions),
- compresses (the application of hot or cold to specific areas to help specific conditions),
- the use of food/diet as a medicine in the Oriental tradition,
- the use of acupoints in emotional situations (Emotional Freedom Technique).
In 2001 I trained as a Reiki Practitioner which involves using the hands to channel energy to specific parts of the body in a very gentle manner, or even working 'off body'. I tend not to do 'standalone' Reiki treatments, but my using Reiki on myself has freed my own energies and allowed my Shiatsu treatments to become much more instinctive. In certain situations, after consultation with the client, I may do a combined Reiki/Shiatsu treatment .... for instance if the client is particularly frail or in extreme pain.
I also have practised Pilates for several years, again for my own health, and I find it great for strengthening the inner core muscles and the back.
I myself have struggled with ME for many years, and I find that this has greatly informed my training, self-development, and development as a therapist. It has made it much easier for me to empathise with my client's various problems and issues.
I use aspects of all this experience to inform my work with clients. My treatments are very much a mixture of theoretical knowledge, experience and instinct, and I frequently recommend exercises, acupoints, diet or other self-help techniques to clients for their own use, if appropriate and if they wish.
