Shiatsu
Shiatsu, which translates to "finger pressure" in Japanese, is a traditional healing technique that applies pressure to specific points on the body to balance the flow of energy, known as qi or ki. Practitioners use their thumbs and fingers to stimulate the body's meridian system, aiming to unblock energy pathways and restore harmony. This approach is believed to help alleviate various conditions, including muscle pain, stress, anxiety, and fatigue, while also promoting improved circulation and overall well-being. Shiatsu is typically performed on a mat with the client fully clothed, and it does not use massage oils.
The practice is rooted in ancient Chinese principles and was introduced to Japan over fifteen hundred years ago, gaining formal recognition as a health profession in the mid-20th century. It is thought to trigger the body’s self-healing mechanisms, and sessions may lead to emotional releases such as laughter or tears. While some studies suggest benefits for conditions like insomnia and chronic pain, the effectiveness of shiatsu can vary, and it may not be suitable for individuals with certain health issues or during pregnancy. Practitioners are encouraged to have formal training, and it's advisable for clients to choose licensed professionals to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Shiatsu
DEFINITION: A technique in which practitioners apply pressure to specific points on the body to balance the body’s flow of energy.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Muscle pain, muscle tension, stress, improved circulation
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Anxiety, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation, depression, fatigue, fibromyalgia, headaches, hypertension, insomnia, nausea, premenstrual syndrome, repetitive strain injuries, improved flexibility, immune booster
Overview
Shiatsu, a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure,” is a traditional, noninvasive healing technique in which the fingertips, especially the thumbs, are used to apply pressure along the body’s meridian system to unblock energy dams and reinstate optimal energy flow. This energy, called qi in Chinese and ki in Japanese, is life's essence. The underlying belief is that unbalanced energy invites illness and injury.
The Chinese introduced shiatsu into Japan more than fifteen hundred years ago. In 1940, Tokujiro Namikoshi founded the Japan Shiatsu College to systematically train shiatsu practitioners in anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic techniques. Localized deep-muscle stimulation, sometimes referred to as “acupuncture without needles,” is believed to induce a healing response.
Mechanism of Action
Shiatsu is performed on a large, quilted floor mat with the client lying down. No massage oil is used, and the client may remain dressed in comfortable clothing. The practitioner finds the energy points on each of the fourteen meridians along the body and works them to trigger the release of endorphins, reducing blood pressure, increasing circulation, and stimulating lymphatic drainage.
Shiatsu also involves rotating and stretching the joints to straighten the pathways. In areas of low energy, long stretches and pressure held for ten to fifteen seconds will allow energy to flow in. Conversely, quick stretches and brief periods of pressure will dispel excess energy that has built up.
Shiatsu is considered a method of touch communication. The practitioner reads the client's energy flow and assesses overall health. By the end of a session, the client may express an emotional release, such as by crying or laughing. The caring touch of the shiatsu practitioner is thought to arouse the client's self-healing response.
Uses and Applications
Shiatsu is used to improve body function, release tension, and improve circulation for relief from stress. It quiets an overstimulated sympathetic nervous system. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, natural painkillers produced by the body, and excites the immune system. These effects make shiatsu beneficial for targeting muscular, internal, and emotional pain. In addition to bringing relief from discomfort, shiatsu also imparts a calmer mind, clearer thinking, and a general sense of well-being. Self-shiatsu may be performed, often in combination with yoga breathing, meditation, and sound therapy.
Shiatsu has been recognized and regulated in Japan as a distinct health profession since the mid-twentieth century. It is indicated for nervous system disorders such as neuralgia, stroke recovery, polio, and insomnia, digestive system disorders such as chronic enteritis and constipation, and metabolic disorders such as gout. It is contraindicated in cases of trauma, internal bleeding, malignancies, ulcers, active infections, acute inflammation, and blood vessel disease.
Shiatsu is recommended for myriad other conditions including menstrual problems, respiratory issues, headaches, post-injury support, and boosting the immune system through stress relief. It can relieve physical ailments but also promote emotional well-being and mental health by reducing anxiety, promoting restful sleep, and increasing energy.
Scientific Evidence
In double-blind studies, shiatsu has been shown to improve sleep quality for older adults in nursing homes with sleep disturbances and reduce agitation in older nursing home residents with dementia. It increased arm movement and decreased depression in persons recovering from hemiplegia stroke. The use of shiatsu was significantly correlated with increasing body weight in premature babies. It reduced chronic low back pain more effectively than physical therapy; improvement was still evident at the six-month follow-up. However, studies have failed to show that shiatsu is any more effective than placebo at preventing nausea and vomiting in surgical patients, in emergency room patients with fractures, and in women in labor. Further, because of the nature of shiatsu, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are challenging. However, those studies performed have shown an alleviation in pain and an improvement in quality of life.
Choosing a Practitioner
Reputable practitioners of shiatsu in the United States should have graduated from an accredited massage therapy school and must practice in accordance with each state’s respective licensing requirements. The term “Shiatsupractor” (a registered trademark of the International Shiatsu Association) is a title recognized around the world and is given to those who have completed formal education and training as a professional shiatsu practitioner.
Safety Issues
Shiatsu should not be performed on persons who are prone to blood clots because there is a risk that the localized pressure could dislodge clots. This massage technique should not be applied directly over open wounds, inflamed skin or rashes, bruises, tumors, hernias, mending bone fractures, or surgical sites. It is not recommended for pregnant women, for people with osteoporosis, or for people who have recently undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Bibliography
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Bellmore, Leisa. "The Experience of Shiatsu for Care Partners and Persons Living with Dementia: A Qualitative Pilot Study." International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, vol. 15, no. 1, 2022, pp. 23-36, DOI: 10.3822/ijtmb.v15i1.693. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
Beresford-Cooke, Carola. Shiatsu Theory and Practice. 3d ed., New York: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010.
Kobayashi, Daiki, et al. "Shiatsu for Chronic Lower Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Study." Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 45, 2019, pp. 33-37, doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.019. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
Liechti, Elaine. Shiatsu: Complete Illustrated Guide. Rockport, Mass.: Element Books, 2002.
Lundberg, Paul. The Book of Shiatsu: A Complete Guide to Using Hand Pressure and Gentle Manipulation to Improve Your Health, Vitality, and Stamina. New York: Fireside Books, 2003.
Paleva, Cari Johnson. "Shiatsu." Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing, www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/shiatsu. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
Somma, Corinna. Shiatsu. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2006.
"What is Shiatsu?" Shiatsu Diffusion Society, www.shiatsupractors.org/what-is-shiatsu. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.