Difference between revisions 267178341 and 294067125 on enwiki

'''Watsu''', a [[portmanteau]] of '''[[water]]''' and '''[[shiatsu]]''', is a form of body [[massage]] performed while lying in warm water (around 35 °C or 95 °F). The receiver of Watsu treatment is continuously supported by the [[manipulative therapy|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.
== History ==
Watsu was created by therapist [[Harold Dull]] in the early 1980s, then director of the Harbin School of Shiatsu and Massage in northern [[California]]. The technique slowly evolved as he began to incorporate aspects of [[Zen Shiatsu]] into his therapy. Watsu pools have now been introduced as a therapeutic passive massage tool as in the 2008 Turkish hamams [[Lake Conroe]] resort project.ATSU FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS'''

== Introduction ==

Watsu is a Japanese  system, based on  The original  Zan Shiatsu. The Watsu takes place in the water, as the Zan is activated outside. Watsu ( WATER SHIATSU) was developed by Herold Dull, a body worker and poet, in 1980. '''Watsu''', a [[portmanteau]] of '''[[water]]''' and '''[[shiatsu]]''', is a form of body [[massage]] performed while lying in warm water (around 35 °C or 95 °F). The receiver of Watsu treatment is continuously supported by the [[manipulative therapy|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.

The Watsu uses the meridians, defined by the Shiatsu. They are channels  full  of energy, and their target is  to let the body use it as needed, according to the situation. The instructor stands in the middle, and is responsible for the success of the process.   Many articles were written about the benefits of the watsu. As far as we know, there is no experience on children. 

We live in a brutal and violent environment, which is causing stress on small children, as well as teenagers. This interferes and disturbs their normal life. There are many children suffering from disorders like hyperactivity, aggressions, ADD, ADHD, and more. 
There are obviously quite a few traditional systems, dealing with such disorders, but here we come with a new, almost revolutionary idea of treatment.


== History ==
Watsu was created by therapist [[Harold Dull]] in the early 1980s, then director of the Harbin School of Shiatsu and Massage in northern [[California]]. The technique slowly evolved as he began to incorporate aspects of [[Zen Shiatsu]] into his therapy. Watsu pools have now been introduced as a therapeutic passive massage tool as in the 2008 Turkish hamams [[Lake Conroe]] resort project.

==The mechanics of  Watsu==

In a world where movement never stops, stability is dynamic. Where there is continual interplay between weight and buoyancy; resistance and momentum, stability depends upon our body automatically balancing whatever force we direct or encounter.  
Combining the benefits to the body and soul of look- warm water, and loss of  2/3 of body weight , with the natural ability of the water to reduce muscle tonus and stimulus, we get the child ready to accept the professional treatment, so that he can integrate society.

== Method of Treatment==

•	Testing the flexibility and functionality of the joints and the muscles.
•	Float testing of the patient body in order to adjust the floating position in the water.
•	Testing specific gravity of the patient, in order to adjust the effort needed by the instructor in the treatment.
•	Stretching and circling the wounded joint.
•	Reduce of the nerve stress in the joint's area.
•	Relaxation by slowing down the rhythm of the movements.

Like the adults, the child is lying on the water, floating with or without the noodles, and 
Immediately closes his eyes, as if flying somewhere quieter. As he is thinner than the grownup, the instructor will not need the accessory to move the body. This will be the first factor to success. The less preparation we make before the treatment, and the less time our nervous patient waits, until event starts, the more chance to achieve the target we have. We must not forget: the child, we are dealing with, does not feel free tied with float supports. Sometimes he suffers from over sensitivity and the even feels painful while water flows on his skin. Other than that, the same movements are made, with   circular tempo, but much easier for the trainer, because of the low height and weight.
This enables the instructor to concentrate on the quality of the treatment, as well as succeeding to extend the swings of the legs, in order to get a better result in cooling down, relaxation and calming the body.
The treatment helps to release the stickiness of the joints; which is a common pathology, in these disorders. In the joint, we succeed increasing the inner space, so that the child feels free to move his limbs, with a normal flexibility. We can often see the restriction in the shoulders, elbows and even in the palms.
Based on researches we can see that significant change in treatment and interaction effects were found for Watsu on the SF-36 subscales of physical function, bodily pain, vitality and social function.

These children have problems in writing, drawing, swimming, and lots of other simple motions. After the treatment they feel free to control their body, and be like all their friends, even for a while. 
Lots of oxygen flows to the joints and muscles through the blood, during the watsu manipulation. The children are full of energy, and ready to concentrate in obtaining new limits and commitments, which will help them to have normal life. Children do not need full time treatment. We can succeed relaxing their soul and body in some minutes, and start working on strengthening them, as needed. 

==Conclusions==
Results: Significant change in treatment and interaction effects were found for Watsu on the SF-36 subscales of physical function, bodily pain, vitality and social function
Whereas the perception of our body is problematic, a Watsu training produces an improvement of self-esteem and favours a positive attitude in the relations in which the body becomes the favoured mediator. Premature ejaculation, orgasmic disturbances, situational erectile dysfunction are the pathological areas that receive the greatest benefits from Watsu, especially if supported by a contextual psychotherapy that elaborate the personal experiences of the water sessions.⏎
⏎


== Other Forms of Aquatic Bodywork==
There are three other forms of aquatic bodywork related to Watsu: Waterdance or Wasser Tanzen, Healing Dance, and the Jahara Technique. Waterdance was created in 1987 by Arjana Brunschwiler and Aman Schroter and involved the client being lowered completely beneath the surface. Healing Dance was created by Alexander Georgeakopoulos and is a mix between Waterdance and traditional Watsu techniques. The Jahara Technique is known as the "gentlest" of the forms because of its constant support and gentle bodywork.

== Organization ==
Watsu and all the above therapies are represented by WABA: The Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association, a non-profit organization for the promotion  of aquatic bodywork.

==Bibliography==

A Clinical sexological team Carl Rogers, San Donà di Piave, Italy Available online 27 June 2008

G. Marafon\ Tecniques of body mediation from alternative medicine – WATSU.

Written by Teperberg Gavriel, Hydro therapist, Hydrotherapy Centre ''Galgal Hatzala", Kfar- Saba, Israel.⏎
⏎
⏎
==External links==
*[http://www.waba.edu The Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association]
*[http://www.aquatic-bodywork.com.au Aquatic Bodywork in Australia]
*[http://www.watsu.org.nz/index.php Watsu & Aquatic Bodywork Association of New Zealand]
*[http://www.watsu-europe.com Watsu & Aquatic Bodywork in Europe]
*[http://mytexasmag.com/travel-leisure/resorts-and-spas/you%E2%80%99ve-never-seen-spa-texas Watsu pools project]
*[http://wat-su.com/ About WAT-SU in 16 languages]
*[http://lovetrpe.blogspot.com/ watsu & tantsu Jerusalem, Israel]
[http://www.lowbackpainhydrotherapy.blogspot.com הידרותרפיה כדרך חיים בלוג גלגל הצלה]
*[http://www.galgalhatzala.co.il גלגל הצלה בע"מ המרכז ללימוד שחייה והידרותרפיה ישראל]
{{Massage types}}

[[Category:Manipulative therapy]]
[[Category:Massage]]

[[de:Watsu]]
[[it:Watsu]]
[[ru:Вацу]]
[[yi:Watsu]]
[[hu:Watsu]]