You've likely familiar with the term Shiatsu, and know that it's related to massage therapy, but don't know much more about it. In this article, we will explore Shiatsu in depth, including:
- The definition of Shiatsu
You've likely familiar with the term Shiatsu, and know that it's related to massage therapy, but don't know much more about it. In this article, we will explore Shiatsu in depth, including:
- The definition of Shiatsu
- History of Japanese Massage
- History of Shiatsu,
- Clinical evidence for Shiatsu,
- Studying Shiatsu in massage therapy school
- Massage Therapy career paths with Shiatsu
Shiatsu, literally meaning “figure pressure,” is a Japanese massage modality that was invented by Tokujiro Namikoshi during the 1920s. It is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is considered a form of acupressure massage.
Shiatsu is historically believed to have been derived from a traditional Japanese massage style known as Amna, which is itself based on Tuina, traditional Chinese massage.
Shiatsu is unique from other forms of acupressure, in that it exclusively utilizes finger and thumb massage techniques to treat patient’s pain and health conditions by applying rhythmic pressure along the body’s acupressure points.
This ease of application allows for shiatsu to be applied in virtually any massage setting, ranging from fully-clothed patients seated in massage chairs to undressed patients laying on massage tables. Additionally, it also common for Shiatsu to be practiced as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with Western massage treatments, such as Swedish Massage.
Like other forms of alternative medicine, Shiatsu is based on a holistic model of the body. However, it also has the benefit of integrating well with conventional medicine. This makes Shiatsu a good modality to specialize in for Massage Therapists that want to work in a holistic or integrative health setting, such as a Pain Clinic or Chiropractor’s Office.
To earn a Shiatsu certification, you will need to earn one from a reputable educator, such as an acupuncture school.
History of Shiatsu
During the early Middle-Ages (around 700 AD), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was introduced in Japan, probably through Korea. This included healing modalities that are still practiced to today, such as acupuncture, but also, Tui Na or tuina (literally Push-Hands), which is a Chinese Massage modality that is practiced by applying hand and finger pressure across the body.
Overtime, Tuina was modified by its Japanese practitioners. During the 1300s, Amna, a Japanese derivation of Tuina had been established as its own modality by Akashi Kan Ichi, a physician and massage therapist.
However, Amna didn’t really take off until the 1600s when it was popularized by Sugiyama Waichi, a famous physician and acupuncturist of the time. It is important to note that Sugiyama Waichi was blind, which had an effect on the culture of the massage profession. Over the next several hundred years, massage would be largely practiced by blind practitioners. In fact, at various times, the Japanese government even protected massage by limiting the profession to the blind, since it was one of the few ways they could earn income.
Amna eventually became the dominant massage style practiced in Japan, and practicing it required a government licensure.
The story of Shiatsu begins in 1912, when a gifted-child by the name of Tokujiro Namikoshi purportedly healed his mother’s rheumatism using only finger and hand massage techniques. His reputation as a gifted-healer spread and Namikoshi continued to treat people using his unique style of massage.
However, he was eventually arrested for practicing massage without a license, and at the suggestion of his brother, Namikoshi underwent formal training in Amna. He continued to refine his massage style, which unlike Amna, only utilized finger, palm, and hand techniques. To distinguish his style from Amna, he named it Shiatsu, which means finger-pressure.
During the 1950s, Shiatsu exploded in popularity and became a worldwide phenomenon. In 1957 the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare officially licensed the Japan Shiatsu School to teach Shiatsu massage, but considered it to be a subset of Amna. It wasn’t until 1964, that Shiatsu was recognized by the Japanese government as its own healing modality.
Tokujiro Namikoshi continued to spread Shiatsu around the world. He died at the age of 94 in September 2000.
How does Shiatsu Work?
Shiatsu works by applying finger and palm pressure at the acupoints to improve a patient’s wellness, by reducing stress and improving the flow blood.
Like all forms of Asian Bodywork Therapy, Shiatsu is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Historically, Traditional Chinese Medicine viewed illness as a disharmony in the body’s non-physical nature, Qi (also known as Chi), and taught that role of medicine should seek to balance qi in the body.
Since qi was said to travel through the body via meridian channels, there were 