ABOUT HIRO IWAMOTO:
Hiro Iwamoto sensei is an acupressure specialist known for his Shishinjutsu (meaning "finger acupuncture technique") method of therapy. He spent 14 years teaching and researching oriental medical therapies at the University of Tsukuba, School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for the Visually Impaired in Tokyo, Japan. Through his extensive clinical practice, Iwamoto found that applying pressure with his fingertips rather than inserting needles had the same physical effect. Some people dislike needles, in which case his finger pressure technique was more beneficial due to less nervousness during therapy. Iwamoto sensei has now been in the industry for 25 years and works from his private practice in San Diego, CA. ORIENTAL MEDICAL BACKGROUND:
In oriental medicine, the term Ki is used to refer to body energy. Iwamoto sensei compares Ki to water: when water remains motionless and stagnant (like within a bucket or puddle), it loses its freshness, starts to smell, eventually dries up, etc. but when water is active and flowing (like through a river), it maintains its freshness. When a person’s Ki is flowing through their body freely, it's a sign of good health. Oppositely, when a person’s Ki is stuck or stagnant due to blockages caused by injury or stress, negative health symptoms will occur. IWAMOTO SHISHINJUTSU THERAPY:
Iwamoto sensei’s focus is to locate areas of blockage within the body. He does this by measuring one’s pulse and identifying which pressure points are being blocked, thus causing various health problems including (but not limiting to): migraines, body ache such as in the neck/back/stomach, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), insomnia, and other forms of mental stress. Once he finds blockage, he works with his fingertips to “melt” them away and restore the flow of energy (think fresh water!). Iwamoto Shishinjutsu Therapy has an accumulative effect depending on the client’s blockages and build up. Sometimes it takes longer to work out years of stress and tension, but restoring energy flow is possible and can treat many types of health issues. Iwamoto sensei describes optimal health as a mountain summit with many ways to the top; acupressure therapy is one route, while acupuncture, Western medicine, and chiropractic work are some others. He believes that all practices must respect each other because healing is achieved in different ways by different people.
