What is shiatsu?

Overview

Shiatsu, a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure,” is a traditional, noninvasive healing technique in which the fingertips and 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 considered the essence of life. 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, the Japan Shiatsu College was founded by Tokujiro Namikoshi to systematically train shiatsu practitioners in anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic technique. The 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, which in turn reduce blood pressure, increase circulation, and stimulate lymphatic drainage.

Shiatsu also involves the rotating and stretching of the joints to straighten the pathways. In areas of low energy, long stretches will allow energy to flow in, as will pressure held for ten to fifteen seconds. Conversely, quick stretches and brief periods of pressure will dispel excess energy that has built up.

Shiatsu is considered a method of touch communication, as the practitioner reads the energy flow of the client 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 self-healing response within the client.

Uses and Applications

Shiatsu is used to improve body function, to release tension, and to 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.

In Japan, shiatsu has been recognized and regulated as a distinct health profession since the mid-twentieth century. It is indicated for nervous system disorders such as neuralgia; for stroke recovery, polio, and insomnia; for digestive system disorders such as chronic enteritis and constipation; and for metabolic disorders such as gout. It is contraindicated in cases of trauma, internal bleeding, malignancies, ulcers, active infections, acute inflammation, and blood vessel disease.

Scientific Evidence

In double-blind studies, shiatsu has been shown to improve the quality of sleep for elderly nursing home residents with sleep disturbances and to reduce agitation in elderly 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, and 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.

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

American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia. http://www.aobta.orga.

Beresford-Cooke, Carola. Shiatsu Theory and Practice. 3d ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010. This illustrated textbook includes a DVD of shiatsu techniques and routines.

Liechti, Elaine. Shiatsu: Complete Illustrated Guide. Rockport, Mass.: Element Books, 2002. In addition to the history of shiatsu and diagrams of techniques and pressure points, this book contains information on self-shiatsu.

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. Written by a master shiatsu practitioner and instructor. An authoritative guide that also presents many color drawings and photographs.

Shiatsu Diffusion Society. http://shiatsupractors.org.

Somma, Corinna. Shiatsu. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2006. This textbook includes protocols for the various client positions and study questions and chapter tests.