Watsu massage is a form of water therapy, which is also called hydrotherapy. It involves stretches, Shiatsu massage, and acupressure in warm water.

The term Watsu comes from the words “water” and “shiatsu.” Shiatsu is a type of traditional Japanese massage that uses acupressure to promote relaxation. In Japanese, shiatsu means “finger pressure.” Watsu was created by Harold Dull, who taught Zen Shiatsu, in 1980. In turn, he found that shiatsu techniques were more effective when done in water. Generally, Watsu therapy is used to alleviate pain and discomfort caused by a range of ailments. The idea is that the resistance of water soothes physical tension and encourages relaxation, which supports overall health.

Duration: The massage lasts from a few minutes to longer than an hour.