About shiatsu
Shiatsu therapy is an effective and gentle Japanese manual therapy. Sessions are given on a futon to maximize the relaxation and grounding. In addition, a wide range of mobilizations and stretches are applied to facilitate a natural energy flow .
Patients wear comfortable clothes to receive a session which lasts approximately 50-60 min.
During your first appointment there will be a short intake about your main complaints , medical history as well as your general well being.
A holistic hands-on approach
Shiatsu therapy looks at the physical complaint of a patient holistically. The supportive touch of shiatsu can help alleviate symptoms of discomfort as well as offer patients the chance to find deep rest.
Furthermore body sensations and emotions are welcomed in a session. Sensations can inform the patient of his own condition, thereby empowering him/her to take responsibility for their own healing process.
How does shiatsu work?
Originally based on traditional Japanese medicine, Shiatsu therapy consists of gentle touch, acupressure , joint mobilization and stretches while using the meridian energy of the body. This meridian system maps the entire body and reflects the health condition of a patient. A shiatsu practitioner can treat areas of blockage or dysfunctions while supporting the self-healing capacity of the body.
Yin Yang energy
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) , each organs of the body has a specific energy (yin or yang) which reflects the polarity of the universe. This energy is both active and receptive, nurturing yet dynamic. The energy of Yin and Yang is like a dance of polarity which balances and finds harmony within chaos.
The Yin and Yang connect the body through energy channels called meridians. In ancient times, doctors mapped theses regions of the body in a way that reflected the working of the internal organs. This meridian system forms a unique map of the human energy field and is the basis for shiatsu therapy.
Internal Organs
According to Traditional Chinese medicine each organ is related to a specific meridian channel. In turn, each meridian acts as a messenger of vitality. Organs can become deficient or excessive due to unhealthy lifestyle or weak constitution. Such imbalance can affects the inner balance and proper functioning of the body. Over time, we lose the ability to compensate this imbalance and may develop symptoms of chronic illness.
Therefore the art of traditional Chinese medicine is to harmonize the yin and yang aspects of the body and restore balance in its organic function.
Shiatsu helps with:
Pain, Mobility & Recovery
- Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain
- Muscular tension and myofascial restrictions
- Sports injuries and repetitive strain (RSI)
- Restricted mobility, posture and movement dysfunction
Nervous System & Mind-Body Health
- Stress, burnout and anxiety-related symptoms
- Nervous system dysregulation and chronic stress
- Psychosomatic complaints and stress-related physical symptoms
- Fatigue, overwhelm and reduced resilience
Body Awareness
- Developing body awareness and mindful movement
- Improving breathing, posture and movement quality
- Recovery after physical or emotional strain
- Preventive body mind care for long-term resilience
About Kay Patru
Kay Patru is co-founder of Medicine Body Studio and has spent over two decades exploring the relationship between movement, touch, and the body’s capacity to heal. His work is informed by traditional Eastern medicine, contemporary bodywork, and a lifelong practice of movement and somatic inquiry.
He trained as a certified shiatsu practitioner at the Iokai Shiatsu School of Amsterdam, where he studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and meridian-based therapy. His education also includes Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Pharmacology (MBK), together with advanced training in Deep Tissue and myofascial bodywork, allowing him to integrate both Eastern and Western perspectives into his clinical practice.
Before becoming a bodywork practitioner, Kay enjoyed a professional career as a contemporary dancer with companies including Nederland Dans Theater II, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Ballets Jazz de Montréal. Years of working at a high physical level gave him a deep understanding of movement, posture, injury, recovery, and the intelligence of the body.
Alongside his clinical work, Kay has maintained a long-term practice in Qi Gong, meditation, Authentic Movement, and body-based inquiry. These disciplines continue to shape his understanding of how breathing, awareness, movement, and the nervous system influence both physical health and emotional well-being.
He is currently working at the Medicine Body Studio and at the Netherlands Dans Theater as a body work therapist with the professional dancers and undergoing formal training in acupuncture at Shenzhou Open University in Amsterdam.