Shiatsu Practitioner Fosters Harmony for the Body, Mind and Spirit

by Sheila Julson

Before founding the Peaceful Healing Place, a wellness center in Algonquin specializing in Eastern healing modalities, Ninetta Keenan pursued various nurturing professions. As a travel agent, she helped people fulfill their dreams of traveling to restful and relaxing destinations. Later, as the owner of a gardening business, she brought joy to people by planting flowers, shrubs and trees, nurturing the earth and enhancing natural beauty.

Keenan was first introduced to natural healing modalities by her husband, a retired acupuncturist. However, she hadn’t considered practicing them until she saw an ad for a workshop at Zen Shiatsu, in Evanston. After participating in the workshop, she wasn’t ready to commit, but with her husband’s encouragement, she signed up for the beginner’s shiatsu class. This experience convinced her that this was her next path in life.

“I feel that shiatsu found me and I am grateful. I haven’t looked back and I continue looking forward,” Keenan shares.

Shiatsu is a Japanese style of massage therapy that focuses on healing through acupressure. It works with the same meridians or channels as acupuncture, but no needles are used. Unlike other massage styles, clients remain clothed and no massage oils are applied.

“We’re trained in similar ways as acupuncturists,” Keenan explains. “We know about meridians and points, but we use our thumbs, palms, elbows and knees to access those points along the channels. It’s an approachable, gentle and subtle healing modality that balances the body by improving the circulation of blood, fluids and qi (energy) throughout the body to promote healing.”

Keenan says shiatsu can help with emotional distresses such as depression and anxiety, musculoskeletal pain, neck and back pain, digestion issues, menstrual problems, headaches and more while encouraging relaxation. Passive stretches and movements may be incorporated into the treatment to promote mobility in the arms, legs, shoulders and hips. Shiatsu is traditionally practiced on a mat on the floor, but can be adapted to a massage table for those with mobility issues. Keenan adds that her clients can relax to meditative music and enjoy tea before or after their shiatsu sessions.

She also offers other traditional Eastern therapies that complement shiatsu. Cupping involves placing cups on bare skin to create a vacuum, drawing skin and tissue into the cup. This creates a vertical separation between tissues, allowing for smoother blood and fluid flow to loosen tight fascia and relieve pain. Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps brought cupping into the international spotlight when he talked about using the modality during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Gua sha, also known as spooning or coining, is a centuries-old modality using nonporous tools such as a stainless steel spoon or other tools made of metal, porcelain or ceramic. The tool is rubbed on lubricated skin, starting on the back and progressing to other areas of the body as needed. Gua sha principles divide the back into upper, middle and lower sections, with each area governing certain organs of the body.

“As the tool is rubbed on the skin, physiological changes are happening in the body to promote healing,” Keenan explains.

Moxibustion, an herbal heat therapy, uses moxa (mugwort) to warm the channels. It comes in different forms: loose and compressed into a stick. Loose moxa can be burned in a specialized box placed on the body, while stick moxa, once lit, is hovered over the body’s acupoints. Mugwort’s warming properties stimulate fluids and move stuck qi.

“All of these therapies allow the body to heal itself and return to homeostasis, or balance. The body knows what it needs to heal itself—I don’t look at myself as the healer, but rather the conduit,” Keenan says.

Keenan looks forward to further educating people about shiatsu and growing a holistic healing community in the Algonquin area. “This medicine is so simple and Earth-based. It’s rooted in observing how the body interacts with the cycles of nature and applies it to healing ourselves.”

The Peaceful Healing Place is located at 1700 E. Algonquin Rd., Ste. 218, in Algonquin. For more information, call 847-877-4230 or visit PeacefulHealingPlace.com. 

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.