Holistic Health Massage Therapy What You Can Expect From a Shiatsu Massage By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Fact checked by Fact checked by Ashley Hall on May 29, 2020 linkedin Ashley Hall is a writer and fact checker who has been published in multiple medical journals in the field of surgery. Learn about our editorial process Ashley Hall on May 29, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How It Works What It Feels Like Uses Benefits Safety and Side Effects Shiatsu is a type of massage therapy that was primarily developed in Japan. With its name derived from the Japanese term for "finger pressure," it involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, moving from one point to another in a rhythmic sequence. Stella / Getty Images While shiatsu has roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it's now commonly practiced throughout the world. There are also countless gadgets, like massage chairs, back and neck massagers, and cushions said to simulate shiatsu. How Does Shiatsu Work? As in acupressure, practitioners of shiatsu apply pressure to points on the body thought to be connected to pathways called "meridians". By stimulating these points, such therapists aim to promote the flow of vital energy (also known as "chi") and facilitate healing. According to the principles of TCM, blockages in the flow of chi can contribute to a wide range of illnesses. Although scientists have yet to determine how or why shiatsu might improve health, it's theorized that the treatment may calm the sympathetic nervous system and—in turn—stimulate circulation, reduce stress, and soothe pain. What Does Shiatsu Feel Like? When performing shiatsu, therapists apply deep pressure using their fingers, thumbs, and/or palms in a continuous sequence. The finger pads are used to apply pressure, and each point is typically held for two to eight seconds. In some cases, pressure points stimulated during shiatsu may feel tender but it should not hurt. People often describe this tenderness as "good pain." Let your massage therapist know if you feel discomfort or pain during your massage. They can adjust the pressure to make the massage more comfortable for you. Shiatsu is typically done on a low massage table or on a mat on the floor. Although the sequence is often similar to other types of massage, no massage oil is used, so it is usually done with the client fully clothed in loose, comfortable clothing. Uses for Shiatsu Shiatsu is often used to lessen stress and protect against stress-related health issues. In addition, shiatsu is said to promote healing in conditions such as: AnxietyArthritisBack painConstipationHeadacheInsomniaMenstrual problemsNeck and shoulder painPremenstrual syndromeSciaticaSinus problems Shiatsu is also said to increase energy, promote recovery from injuries, and stimulate the digestive system. If you're thinking of using any type of massage therapy (including shiatsu) to manage a health problem, make sure to talk to your primary care provider first to discuss whether it's right for you. The Benefits of Shiatsu Research on the health effects of shiatsu is fairly limited, but there's some evidence that it may offer certain benefits. Some research also indicates that shiatsu shows promise in the treatment of certain pain-causing conditions. In a report published in Manual Therapy in 2015, for instance, shiatsu was found to improve pain intensity and quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. For this report, researchers analyzed previously published clinical trials on massage for fibromyalgia. Their analysis determined that shiatsu improved pain, pressure pain threshold, fatigue, sleep, and quality of life. Safety and Side Effects While shiatsu is generally considered safe when done by a qualified professional, certain individuals should take caution and consult a physician before receiving shiatsu. For example, there's some concern that shiatsu may have harmful effects in the following individuals: Pregnant womenPatients who have recently undergone chemotherapy or radiationPeople with osteoporosis, heart disease, and blood clotting disorders. Additionally, shiatsu should not be performed directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures. People with leg stents should avoid abdominal massage. Shiatsu should also be avoided immediately after surgery, and by people with infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds. A Word From Verywell Letting stress go unchecked can have an impact on your health, raising your risk of health troubles ranging from insomnia to heart disease. The good news is that some strategies, like shiatsu, may offset the negative effects of stress and help ease aches and pain. Shiatsu is just one of many types of bodywork. Learn about other popular forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage, Thai massage, hot stone massage, and aromatherapy massage. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Robinson N, Lorenc A, Liao X. The evidence for Shiatsu: a systematic review of Shiatsu and acupressure. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11:88. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-88 Langevin HM, Yandow JA. Relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes. Anat. Rec. 2002;269(6):257-65. doi:10.1002/ar.10185 Dashtdar M, Dashtdar MR, Dashtdar B, Kardi K, Shirazi MK. The concept of wind in Traditional Chinese Medicine. J Pharmacopuncture. 2016;19(4):293–302. doi:10.3831/KPI.2016.19.030 Yuan SL, Matsutani LA, Marques AP. Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 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