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Watsu

Watsu massage was developed by Harold Dull in 1980. It is an aquatic massage therapy. Watsu incorporates the principles of shiatsu massage. The name watsu is derived from the water and shiatsu

The massage is done in the water which is heated to the body temperature. And the pool is usually 3.5 to 4 feet deep.

Watsu massage is combination of massage, shiatsu, joint mobilization and muscle stretching.

During the session

Choose a spa that has a pool exactly to the temperature of your body and check whether it is private and calm like other massage environments. Some spa will have outdoor watsu pools surrounded by pools and cloths overhead to protect from the direct rays of sunlight

You will be asked to wear bathing suits. The massage therapist accompanies you in the pool. First before you enter the pool the massage therapist puts the floats around your ankles which help you to be buoyant in the water

During the session the therapist makes your body float in the water with one arm on your knees and the other at the back. And one of your arms is coiled around the therapist neck and the other is led to float freely in the water

Then the massage therapist spins you through in the water, he/she takes your body through series of reflexive stretches and spins. This gives a deep relaxation to the clients.

Benefits of Watsu massage

Decreases the heart rate and the rate of respiration
Increase the depth of respiration
Improves the immune system
Decreases the muscle spasm, spasticity, and reticular activating
Increase the peripheral widening of blood vessels

Watsu massage has been proved to have positive effects on the following ailments.

Chronic pain
Strokes
Arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Fibromyalgia
Post mastectomy and traumatic stress disorders
Parkinson's disease
Spinal cord injury
Traumatic brain injury

Before the session

It is always better to avoid eating heavy meal couple of hours before the massage session begins.

Since watsu massage is an aquatic one you need to take your swim suit and a towel.

Try to be the spa center at least 15 minutes before the session