Frequently Asked Questions

1. What problems can Amatsu help with?
2. Why choose Amatsu?
3. Who is Amatsu suitable for?
4. Why haven’t I heard of Amatsu before?
5. What is Amatsu?
6. What can I expect during an Amatsu treatment (balance)?
7. How will I feel after an Amatsu treatment (balance)?
8. Who is Lucy Anning, and what does Gairon mean?
9. How can I book an Amatsu appointment?
10. How well regulated is Amatsu?
11. Where do I find out about training in Amatsu?

What problems can Amatsu help with?

Amatsu can help with a wide range of problems including:

• Backache
• Shoulder & Neck Pain
• Sciatica
• Sports Injuries
• Strains & Sprains
• Pain Relief
• Postural Problems
• Headaches & Insomnia
• Arthritis
• Joint Problems
• Baby colic & reflux
• Pregnancy care
• IBS
• Tennis Elbow
• Asthma
• Stomach Problems
• Golfer's Shoulder

And many more…..It is different from many other therapies because it treats your whole body, and not just the symptoms. Amatsu supports and encourages the natural abilities of your body by working with it, and not imposing corrections on it. Regaining long term natural, healthy patterns is the aim of every Amatsu treatment. If you are not sure whether Amatsu can help you, please contact Lucy through the Contact page and ask her.

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Why Choose Amatsu?

Because it works!

Amatsu has its roots in traditional Japanese medicine, and is based on the principles of natural movement. It is different from many other therapies because it treats your whole body, and not just the symptoms. This means that Amatsu is effective in treating a wide range of problems or illnesses from back ache, Sciatica, and joint pain to Asthma, Baby Colic, Headaches and Insomnia. Amatsu supports and encourages the natural abilities of the body to heal and regenerate, by working with the body to restore balance and regain your natural and healthy postural patterns.

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Who is Amatsu suitable for?

The simple answer is most people.

Amatsu can be vigorous or extremely gentle. This means it can be used on any person from the moment they are born, through to their more advanced years, or with those people who have more limited mobility. For example, it is very effective in helping with the discomforts of pregnancy from back ache through to morning sickness. Babies and their mums can also often suffer trauma and injury during the birth. Amatsu is very effective in gently correcting any of these injuries or general discomfort, helping both the mother and the baby to sleep better, and feel more relaxed and in control. It is also suitable for chronic and very painful conditions, as well as for those people whose natural movement maybe limited in some way.

Many people also find regular balances effective in maintaining good health.

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Why haven’t I heard of Amatsu before?

Amatsu is a blend of modern research, and an ancient Japanese Physical Therapy that dates back approximately five thousand years. It is still relatively unknown in the UK because Master Teaching Licenses were only granted to three Westerners (Dennis Bartram, William Doolan and Chris Rowath) around 12-15 years ago by the Dr. Hatsumi (Grandmaster of Amatsu).

There are now approximately 100 Amatsu Practitioners outside of Japan, and Amatsu training schools are established in Hartlepool, Doncaster, Dublin, Croxley Green, and Germany.

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What is Amatsu?

Amatsu is a modern interpretation of an ancient Japanese physical therapy dating back thousands of years. The Amatsu principles taught today are from the Ancient School of Hi Chi Bu Ku Goshin Jutsu. This is a school of breathing techniques and physical modalities of well-being and translates as "The Secret School of the Opening Flower." The Amatsu Tatara (meaning "Sky Harbour", or literally Divine Residence / God's Port,) are scrolls which record the basis of Amatsu. They are a collaboration of martial arts, medicine, philosophy, strategy and religion. Until recently, this knowledge and skill was shared with only a handful of people in each generation that was passed down in an unbroken chain.

One of the key principles of Amatsu is that of the Go-dai. Go-dai means “Big Five”. It involves the inter-reaction of the five major components of the body. These are:

• Physical – your structure, bones, muscles and ligaments etc
• Mental – your thought processes, emotions, beliefs and values
• Electrical – your energy systems, nervous systems and energy levels
• Chemical – your hormones, digestive system and the food you eat
• Environmental – where, when, and how you do what you do

None of these works in isolation. An example of the Go-dai would be when mental anxiety leads to physical tension in a part of the body such as the neck and the shoulders. As everything in the body is linked, Amatsu Practitioners always consider the body as a whole, rather than just the symptoms. By treating the body as a whole, all the elements will be able to work together to regain health, function and balance.

There are four levels of Amatsu; Anma Massage, Seitai, Shinden Jutsu, and Kenku Jutsu. To become a fully qualified Amatsu Practitioner in the UK you must complete two years of part-time training in Anma and Seitai within an ATA approved school.

To find out more about Amatsu please read the History & Principles page.

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What can I expect during an Amatsu treatment (balance)?

An Amatsu treatment is called a balance and lasts for 30 minutes. Allow an hour for the initial balance as a detailed client personal history is taken. During a balance a full picture of any problems is built using a combination of observation, palpation (touch), and muscle testing.

A combination of techniques are applied according to your needs. These include; massage, mobilisaton, re-patterning, cranial balancing, and the stimulation of acupressure points. If your bones are out of alignment, it is because the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons,organs,) are holding them in that way. Amatsu is different because it works on balancing your whole body using soft tissue, which then naturally allows you to realign yourself. Therefore, long term improvements are also made to your body’s health and posture.

The number of balances required varies according to the nature of the condition. Many people also find regular balances effective in maintaining good health.

It is not unusual to feel dramatic changes after only the first treatment, for other people it takes a couple of treatments for the changes to take place – it depends on the depth of the initial problem. In some ways injuries or problems within the body can be compared to an onion. As the body compensates, and learns how to cope with the damage caused by an injury or illness, further layers of pain and injury are created on top of the original problem. Often where it hurts today, is not where the original problem is – today’s pain has been created by months or years of adapted posture and movement, that has enabled the body to cope with the original problem. During Amatsu treatments the layers of pain/ injuries/ illnesses are peeled away (like an Onion skin) to reach and solve the original problem. How long it takes depends, on the number of layers, and the cause of the original problem.

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How will I feel after an Amatsu treatment (balance)?

Everybody feels differently after a balance! It is not unusual to feel the improvements straight away, although some people feel the changes over the next few days. Some people feel tired, whilst others have a boost of energy – or they have both! Your body is simply adjusting to the changes in the way that is best for you. Most people will, however, feel very relaxed after a balance.

It is always recommended that you drink plenty of water following a balance to keep your body hydrated, and to assist in the removal of toxins. Where possible, it is also advisable to avoid vigorous physical activity for 24-48 hours following a balance, to allow the body time to heal.

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Who is Lucy Anning, and what does Gairon mean?

I first heard of Amatsu Therapy over 6 years ago when it was recommended to me by a friend who had found it really helped with her persistent and intensive lower back pain. I had suffered since childhood with back and neck pain, due to a Scoliosis (S shaped twist in my spine). It had progressively got worse due to my busy lifestyle working in BP (that included travelling a lot, high stress, and working frequently at a laptop) and then lastly by a car crash. I had tried many other treatments which had not provided significant relief from the pain, or helped my spine to naturally straighten.

I was so impressed and fascinated by the ability of Amatsu to provide me with both pain relief, and natural body corrections that I decided to train as an Amatsu Practitioner. I am a qualified Amatsu Practitioner, and I now practice Amatsu full time with clinics in:

• Next Generation Health and Fitness Club in Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire.
• Baring Road, Beaconsfield New Town, Buckinghamshire.
• Naturality Wellness Centre, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
• I also work in close association with Doctornow in Beaconsfield Old Town, Buckinghamshire.

To find out more information about my clinics you can fill in the form on the Contact page, or call me direct on: 07950 380621.

I have chosen Gairon as my business name because it is the foundation of Amatsu. Gairon means to sense the interconnectedness of all things, and therefore the bigger picture of any problem or symptom. For example; a bad knee for a client could be because of a direct injury on the knee. However, it is also very likely that the posture (total body position), and the natural walking and standing pattern of the client has lead to the progressive damage and degeneration of the knee – creating a weaker area in the Client. Amatsu is different because it treats not only the knee, but also the bigger picture of the other stresses, strains and torsions that are placed on the knee by the whole body.

“Its all in your walk, you must find it in nature, it must come from your heart and if you don’t understand Gairon, then you can’t continue”. (Dr. Hatsumi PHD)

I am a member of the Complementary Therapy Association and the Amatsu Therapy Association

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How can I book an Amatsu appointment?

I am a qualified Amatsu Practitioner, and I now practice Amatsu full time with clinics in:

• Next Generation Health and Fitness Club in Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire.
• Baring Road, Beaconsfield New Town, Buckinghamshire.
• Naturality Wellness Centre, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
• I also work in close association with Doctornow in Beaconsfield Old Town, Buckinghamshire.

Appointments are available both during the day, and in the early evening.

To find out more information about my clinics you can fill in the form on the Contact page, or call me direct on: 07950 380621.

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How well regulated is Amatsu?

The standard for Amatsu Practitioners has been set by the Amatsu Therapy Association in accordance with the criteria set by the Complementary Therapy Association. All members of the ATA have completed an accredited course that adheres to these standards, and must adhere to the CTHA and ATA Code of Ethics.

If you would like further information please go to the ATA or CTHA websites.

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Where do I find out about training in Amatsu?

There are four levels of Amatsu; Anma Massage, Seitai, Shinden Jutsu, and Kenku Jutsu. To become a fully qualified Amatsu Practitioner in the UK you must complete two years of part-time training in Anma and Seitai within an ATA approved school. There are currently ATA approved/ regulated schools located in Croxley Green, Hartlepool, Doncaster, Dublin and Germany.

Please look at the ATA website for further information on training in Amatsu. Further studies can then be undertaken in Shinden Jutsu and Kenku Jutsu in order to continue with your professional development.

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