A few weeks ago, I offered a shiatsu session for the first time to one of our rehoused patients, Mr. Y. This energetic therapy from traditional Japanese medicine aims to restore the body’s balance by stimulating energy points through touch. For Mr. Y, it was a completely new experience.
When he agreed to try it, he wasn’t sure what to expect. But by the end of the session, his feedback was clear: “It was excellent. It brought me back down to earth several times.” This simple, strong, and spontaneous reaction resonated deeply with our mission.
At Street Nurses, we’ve long used hygiene as the gateway to overall health. Yet for people who have lived on the streets, their connection to their bodies is often fragile: touch is rare, sometimes perceived as intrusion or threat. The body becomes a survival tool, heavily burdened, and rarely a source of well-being. In this context, offering shiatsu is also a gentle, respectful way to help them reconnect with themselves.
Two weeks later, I returned to see Mr. Y. for another session. He had just woken up, still a bit groggy but happy to see me, and gladly received the treatment again. During the massage, a small but telling disruption occurred: his TV show cut out due to a connection issue. It unsettled him—his focus scattered, as did his energy. I chose not to push through but to welcome the moment, prioritizing presence and listening to his disturbance before returning to the care.
The session was shorter and different from the first—less grounded but no less valuable. It still brought him relief.
We then continued the care ritual with a simple daily act: shaving his beard together. A ritual he particularly enjoys, where he relaxes, allows guidance, and yet retains a sense of autonomy.
I concluded the visit with a few administrative steps: Mr. Y. would like a new cooking pot. He loves cooking, especially chicken—his favorite ingredient—and so he himself called his property manager to request the budget.
This initial shiatsu trial opens up new possibilities. It’s not just about relaxation; it’s a step toward reconnecting with the body, valuing it within a holistic, human-centered approach. Another way to accompany, to listen, and above all, to place the person at the heart of their own well-being.
Natalia, nurse on the street team
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(*) We do our utmost to respect the privacy of our patients and our professional secrecy. However, we want to testify to how they must survive and how we are working together to reintegrate them. As a result, the names of places and people are deliberately omitted or changed and real-life situations are placed in a different context. There is no direct link between the photos and the stories above.