Personalised Japanese Bodywork by Chie Hachiga
Experience gentle, attentive Japanese Seitai in London, tailored to your individual needs.
Are you experiencing persistent tension or pain in your neck, shoulders or lower back, muscular stiffness, postural discomfort or general physical fatigue?
Japanese Seitai considers the relationships between muscles, bones, joints and nerves, alongside posture and movement. Rather than focusing solely on the area of discomfort, each session takes a whole-body view, with techniques selected to address your individual concerns.
This offers a different approach to conventional relaxation massage, with care informed by how different parts of your body work together.
At HACHIGA Method Seitai, each treatment combines traditional Japanese bodywork principles with an understanding of anatomy and biomechanics.
Treatments are available in South Kensington, London, as well as at a private treatment location by appointment.
What Is Japanese Seitai?
Seitai (整体) is a Japanese term commonly associated with approaches to body alignment, physical balance and manual bodywork.
While conventional relaxation massage primarily focuses on relaxation and muscular comfort, Seitai aims to help relieve physical discomfort by considering how different parts of the body work together during posture and movement.
For example, discomfort in the neck may be associated with tension or movement restrictions involving the shoulders, upper back or surrounding structures.
Rather than focusing exclusively on the area of discomfort, a Seitai session can take a broader view of the body’s movement patterns and muscular balance.
The HACHIGA Method Seitai Approach
Gentle, Precise and Personalised
Developed by Japanese Seitai practitioner Chie Hachiga, the HACHIGA Method Seitai approach draws on extensive hands-on experience, Japanese manual therapy traditions and anatomical knowledge.
The philosophy is simple:
Effective bodywork does not always require strong pressure.
Rather than relying on forceful techniques, treatments emphasise precision, careful observation and techniques selected according to each client’s physical condition and comfort.
The approach incorporates:
- Hands-on techniques for soft tissues throughout the body
- Gentle techniques for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, as well as the pelvis
- Techniques that take nerve mobility and sensitivity into account
- Attention to posture and walking patterns
- Techniques for the head, face and jaw, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- Approaches aimed at easing muscular tension and supporting joint range of motion and ease of movement
Every session begins with an understanding of your concerns, physical condition and treatment preferences.
→You can see the treatment Youtube!
Who May Benefit from HACHIGA Method Seitai?
People seek HACHIGA Method Seitai for many different reasons.
Common concerns discussed during consultations include:
Stiff Neck, Neck Pain and Shoulder Problems
For neck pain after sleeping awkwardly, persistent neck and shoulder tension, or difficulty raising your arm. Treatment looks beyond the neck or shoulder alone, considering the movement of the shoulder blades, ribcage and spine, as well as tension in the surrounding muscles. Many clients experiencing frozen shoulder or thoracic outlet syndrome have reported that their discomfort has eased.
Lower Back Pain, Back Stiffness and Pelvic Discomfort
For recurring lower back pain, discomfort after prolonged sitting, or stiffness around the back and pelvis. Treatment considers not only the lower back but also hip and spinal movement, posture and walking patterns, taking into account how the whole body works together.
Persistent Fatigue and Whole-Body Stiffness
For those whose bodies feel heavy or tense despite resting, or who experience persistent physical fatigue. Each session includes a careful assessment of muscular tension and joint movement, using gentle techniques to ease stiffness and support more comfortable movement and relaxation.
Sleep Difficulties and Difficulty Relaxing
For those who struggle to fall asleep, wake during the night, or wake feeling unrefreshed. Gentle treatment focuses on tension around the neck, shoulders, back, head and jaw, while considering the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and rest, helping you feel physically more at ease. Sessions provide care for physical tension and discomfort rather than treatment for insomnia itself.
Headaches, Facial Asymmetry and Jaw Discomfort
For neck and shoulder tension accompanying headaches, jaw fatigue from clenching, or concerns about facial and jaw asymmetry. Delicate hands-on techniques focus on the muscles around the head, face and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), while considering their relationship with the cervical spine and posture.
Period Pain, PMS and Physical Discomfort During Menopause
For those experiencing period pain, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), or physical discomfort associated with menopause, including lower back heaviness, neck and shoulder tension, and fatigue. Each session takes account of how you feel that day and any changes in your symptoms, carefully considering muscular tension and the condition of the whole body, including the abdomen, lower back and pelvis. Gentle techniques aim to ease accompanying stiffness and discomfort, helping you feel more comfortable. These sessions do not treat gynaecological conditions or hormonal changes themselves.
Meet Chie Hachiga
Japanese Seitai Practitioner | Founder of HACHIGA Method Seitai
Chie Hachiga is a Japanese bodywork practitioner and educator with more than ten years of experience operating a Seitai clinic and training school in Japan.
She is the founder of HACHIGA Method Seitai, an approach developed through years of practical experience working with clients with a wide range of physical concerns.
Her professional background includes:
- Over ten years of experience running a Seitai clinic and training school in Japan
- Founder and educator of HACHIGA Method Seitai
- Creator of Bridal Seitai, providing personalised bodywork to support posture, body balance and an elegant appearance for the wedding day
- Author of a Japanese book on health, beauty and Seitai that reached No. 1 in its category on Amazon Japan
- Extensive media coverage of her treatments and professional activities in Japan and internationally
- UK qualifications in Sports Massage at Levels 3, 4 and 5
- Experience providing Japanese bodywork to clients of many nationalities in London
Chie’s approach combines Japanese attention to detail with knowledge of anatomy and movement, placing personalised care at the heart of every session. From bodywork aimed at easing pain and physical discomfort to beauty-focused sessions supporting posture, balance and overall appearance, each treatment is tailored to the client’s goals and physical condition.
Languages: Japanese and English
Chie Hachiga
Beyond Treatment: Education and Expertise
Sharing Japanese Seitai Knowledge with the Next Generation
Alongside her clinical practice, Chie Hachiga has extensive experience educating and mentoring bodywork practitioners through the HACHIGA Method Seitai School in Japan.
Her teaching combines practical hands-on techniques with an understanding of anatomy, movement and individualised treatment approaches.
This experience as both a practitioner and educator continues to shape her approach to working with clients in London.
A thoughtful approach to Japanese bodywork, built on years of practical experience and professional education.
Japanese Seitai in South Kensington, London
Chie provides treatments at Kiyora Beauty & Health in South Kensington, a convenient location for clients living or working in central and west London.
Book at Kiyora — South Kensington
For appointments at Kiyora, please use the salon’s official booking system and select Chie Hachiga as your practitioner, where available.
Private Japanese Seitai Appointments in London
For clients who prefer a more private treatment environment, appointments may also be available through Chie’s private practice.
These sessions offer an individualised approach to Japanese Seitai and bodywork, with treatment tailored to your concerns and preferences.
Availability, treatment options and location details can be checked through the private appointment booking page.
Book a Private Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HACHIGA Method Seitai the same as Japanese massage?
HACHIGA Method Seitai and Japanese massage share some hands-on techniques. The main difference is that, while relaxation-focused massage primarily aims to help you unwind, HACHIGA Method Seitai places greater emphasis on addressing pain and physical discomfort.
Drawing on anatomy and an understanding of movement, it considers the relationships between muscles, joints and nerves, as well as posture. Treatment takes a whole-body approach rather than focusing solely on the area of discomfort. Although it is not medical treatment, HACHIGA Method Seitai goes beyond relaxation to address your physical concerns.
Is HACHIGA Method Seitai painful?
HACHIGA Method Seitai generally emphasises controlled, precise techniques rather than unnecessarily strong pressure. Treatment intensity is adapted to your comfort and physical condition.
Can Japanese Seitai help with neck and shoulder tension?
Manual bodywork may help some people experience temporary relief from muscular tension or stiffness. The response varies between individuals, and persistent or unexplained symptoms should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
What is the difference between Seitai and chiropractic treatment?
Seitai is a broad Japanese term used for different forms of bodywork and is not equivalent to a regulated chiropractic qualification. Chiropractic is a separately regulated profession in the UK. HACHIGA Method Seitai is offered as Japanese bodywork, not chiropractic treatment.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. Consultations and treatments are available in both Japanese and English.
Where can I book HACHIGA Method Seitai in London?
You can book with Chie Hachiga at Kiyora Beauty & Health in South Kensington or enquire about appointments through her private practice.
How long should my first session be?
For your first visit, a 90-minute session is recommended to allow time for a consultation, assessment and whole-body treatment. If you would prefer more time for a thorough, unhurried session, a 120-minute appointment is also available. Please check the available treatment options at your chosen location.
Experience Japanese Seitai in London
Whether you are looking for Japanese massage in London, personalised bodywork for muscular tension, or a practitioner with extensive experience in Japanese Seitai, Chie Hachiga offers an individualised approach centred on your comfort and needs.
Other Concerns You Can Discuss with Us
You are also welcome to discuss the following concerns with HACHIGA Method Seitai. Rather than choosing techniques based solely on a symptom or diagnosis, we consider your physical condition, medical history and preferences to determine whether treatment is appropriate and how to tailor your session.
Neck, Shoulders and Back
Neck and shoulder tension / Neck pain and stiffness after sleeping awkwardly / Reduced cervical curvature (“straight neck”) / Back pain / Frozen shoulder / Thoracic outlet syndrome
Lower Back, Pelvis and Legs
Lower back pain, including sudden episodes / Excessive lower back arch / Spondylolisthesis / Lumbar disc herniation / Sciatica / Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
Head, Face and Jaw
Headaches and migraines / Eye strain / Tinnitus / Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) / Facial asymmetry and facial contouring concerns / Head and scalp tension
Posture and Nerve-Related Concerns
Rounded shoulders and postural concerns / Cervical disc herniation / Numbness or tingling in the hands / Symptoms associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction
Care Through Different Stages of Women’s Lives
Period pain and PMS (premenstrual syndrome) / Menopause-related discomfort / Pregnancy bodywork / Postnatal bodywork and care around the pelvis / Bridal Seitai
Sessions focus on supportive bodywork and do not replace medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact us before booking if you have a diagnosed medical condition, are pregnant or have recently given birth. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend a medical assessment before proceeding.
If you are unsure whether a session is suitable for your concerns, please get in touch to discuss your needs.
Choose your preferred appointment location below.
HACHIGA Method Seitai — Japanese bodywork with precision, care and an individual approach.
