| Origin | Developed in Japan from the older massage tradition anma, which draws on traditional Chinese medicine. The word shiatsu ("finger pressure") appeared in the early 20th century. Tokujiro Namikoshi founded a shiatsu college in the 1940s and gained official recognition of shiatsu as a distinct therapy in Japan; his student Shizuto Masunaga later developed Zen shiatsu. |
|---|---|
| Feel | Slow, stationary pressure held at points along the body, alternated with gentle stretches and rotations. Calm and grounding; some points can feel tender. |
| Pressure | 3–7 / 10 |
| Used for |
|
Background and respect
Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese therapy with its own theory, training pathways and professional bodies, in Japan and internationally. It is based on traditional East Asian concepts such as qi (life energy) and meridians (channels qi is said to flow along). Treat it as a distinct discipline with its own training requirements, rather than something to borrow techniques from casually.
What a session involves
- The client stays clothed in loose, comfortable clothing. No oil is used.
- It is usually done on a futon or mat on the floor, sometimes on a table.
- The practitioner uses thumbs, fingers, palms, and sometimes elbows, knees and feet, to apply steady, perpendicular pressure, often leaning in with body weight.
- Pressure is combined with stretches, joint rotations and gentle rocking.
- Practitioners may assess the client by touch (including the abdomen, called hara) within their own traditional framework.
Evidence
A 2011 systematic review found shiatsu research was of insufficient quantity and quality to draw conclusions: only nine shiatsu studies, of which just one was a randomised trial. Evidence for acupressure (a related pressure-point method) was stronger for some outcomes such as nausea and some kinds of pain. An Australian Government review in 2015 did not find clear evidence of effectiveness for shiatsu. Meridians and qi are traditional concepts and have not been shown to exist as physical structures.
Clients commonly report that shiatsu is relaxing, which is consistent with the wider massage evidence (see Psychological effects of massage).
Safety
Shiatsu is generally considered safe, though some points can be uncomfortable. Use the same screening as for any massage, and take care with firm pressure over areas with vessels close to the surface.