Shiatsu

Shiatsu, in alternative medicine, a method of massage developed in Japan during the early 20th century. Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure.” During a shiatsu session, pressure may be exerted to specific areas of the body with the hand, finger, thumb, elbow, knee, or foot, depending on the practitioner’s style and the condition of the person receiving treatment. Rocking, stretching, and joint rotations may also be used.

Sometimes referred to as acupressure, shiatsu is similar to acupuncture. Both shiatsu and acupuncture work with the concept of life energy, known as ki in Japanese (and chi in Chinese), and the system of channels through which ki flows in the body, known as meridians. Whereas acupuncture uses needles to stimulate specific sites along the meridians called acupuncture points, shiatsu uses pressure to stimulate the entire meridian as well as specific acupuncture points. Restoring and rebalancing a person’s energy is a primary goal for both techniques. Conditions that may benefit from shiatsu include back pain, stress, headache, insomnia, arthritis, and the common cold.

Shiatsu grew from an early form of massage, called anma in Japan or tui na in China, which uses tapping, stroking, rubbing, squeezing, pushing, and pulling to influence the muscles and circulation. Shiatsu is simple by comparison, and incorporates Western medical knowledge of anatomy and physiology. In 1964 shiatsu was officially recognized as a therapy by the Japanese government. Shiatsu exists in various forms and is practiced in many places outside of Japan including the United States, Europe, and Canada.