I accompany clients from my own practice during their stay in hospital – that is the way I gain access to hospitals. When a client chooses my support during a surgery, treatment with chemotherapy or while giving birth, they simply inform the doctor and medical staff. Hospitals in Switzerland are open to this, when clients themselves choose to make use of this kind of support.
In the Spotlight
Catherine Bolliger
cathy.bolliger@bluewin.ch
www.shiatsu-cathy.ch
I was born and raised in Switzerland. I have lived in Central and South America, travelled in Asia and visited many magical places in Europe. I have worked as a Kindergarten teacher, and also selling handmade and bought goods at markets. I am a mother of 3 girls (aged 33, 30 and 28) and have one grandchild (aged 2). After giving birth to my 3rd daughter, I was exposed to Shiatsu and since then I have been learning, improving and deepening my Shiatsu practice.
In 2010 I was inspired by Diego Sanchez during a workshop in Switzerland, and immediately afterwards I started to offer Shiatsu to my clients in hospitals. Nature is a great teacher and the source of the power that flows through my hands and body.
Foreword
The first client I treated in a hospital had undergone a hip replacement procedure. While I was treating her, she started to tremble, which I realized was a way for her body to recover from the operation. She was scared, but since I was working with her, I was able to support this reaction, which helped her to recover more consciously. The hospital staff would probably have given her medication to suppress the healing reaction instead. Since then, I have worked in recovery rooms after surgery and accidents, as well as intensive care units.
Once, I was called in to help a woman who was giving birth. The birthing process had stagnated, and the midwives were waiting for me to come and help them with the next step. This transformed a difficult situation into a peaceful one, where even a caesarean section was experienced as a kind of healing. I also go to hospitals after birth to support the parents and the baby when the milk is not flowing, the uterus is not contracting, or the father and baby are in need of some touch.
During chemotherapy, I have frequently been able to treat clients straight after their treatment, while still in hospital. Seeing the benefits for the patient and for themselves, the nursing stuff leave space for this kind of treatment. Over time, I realized that with Shiatsu I could support reactions such as the flushing out of fluids, so that less medication is required.
Postface
I have time and space, things that are largely missing in our health system. While I am working, I am also able to listen to part of the patient’s life story, which is as healing as the touch of my hands.
For the clients it is precious to know in advance of the surgery, that they will see my face the moment they wake up, and feel the healing touch of my hands and my presence. They all agree that their recovery goes faster and more smoothly – they feel much more clear and present, and experience less pain and fear.
As I experience these things, I realize that the support I give my clients, not only helps them but also helps their relatives. I can see the relaxation on their faces, as I support with my calm touch, listening to the needs of the body, emotions and spirit.
I have also discovered that my presence is supportive for the nursing staff. They are interested in my work and offer me space and trust. I exert a relaxing and calming influence, and I am confident they can feel the healing power touching them as well.
My deepest experience was working with a client who had been in a coma for several weeks foillowing an aortic tear and a double cardiac arrest. To see his face relaxing while I touched him was a gift not only for me, but the relatives and the Nursing stuff as well. While I was treating him, a diagnosis of potential kidney failure was pronounced. Whatever it was that helped him, his kidneys started to function again. He is now safely at home and still enjoying Shiatsu treatments.
I am thrilled by my experiences, and I feel a strong call to be an even greater part in this space and to support the ongoing interdisciplinary work with hospitals. Although it is difficult to get support from the doctors, the nursing staff are well aware of the benefits. In fact, I have noticed that even though my time is formally restricted to 10-15 minutes, I have been able to treat my clients for up to one hour.
We have started a working group, Shiatsu in Hospitals, to help publicise this work. I am convinced that one day we will work together, as the Health system needs support, and people are in need of touch.
Photo credit: https://shiatsuverband.ch/
“I am convinced that one day we will work together, as the Health system needs support, and people are in need of touch.”
CATHERINE BOLLINGER
