Traditional massage

Shiatsu

ชิอัตสึ

A Japanese hands-on therapy, received fully clothed, that uses finger and palm pressure plus gentle stretches along the body's traditional meridian lines.

IntensityModerate

Origin

Japan

History

Name in print since 1919; recognised in Japan's post-war (1947) licensing law

A session

About 60 min

Licence in Thailand

Not required

Where it comes from

Shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ in Japanese. It grew out of anma, an older Japanese massage tradition. Historical summaries report that the word ‘shiatsu’ appeared in print in 1919, in a book by Tamai Tempaku, and that practitioners then worked to set their method apart from anma.

After the Second World War, Japan revised its law on massage, acupuncture and moxibustion (1947). Under this law and its later revisions, anma therapists were allowed to practise massage and finger pressure, and the licence became ‘anma-massage-shiatsu therapist’, issued at national level by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. In Japan, shiatsu is therefore a licensed profession.

Tokujiro Namikoshi (1905–2000) is often credited with shaping modern shiatsu; one of his students, Shizuto Masunaga, developed the style known as Zen Shiatsu. Shiatsu later spread abroad and is now especially popular in Europe.

The principle

Shiatsu draws on the East Asian idea that a vital energy (Ki, or Qi) flows through the body along channels called meridians. Practitioners press points along these channels and use stretches, with the aim of easing blockages and restoring balance.

These are traditional concepts, not established physiology. A 2011 systematic review found the research on shiatsu to be of insufficient quantity and quality to show effects on specific health conditions, while noting that some people report feeling more relaxed and sleeping better.

What people come for

To relax deeply and slow down
To ease a general feeling of muscular tension
To enjoy gentle stretches and a sense of mobility
To support a sense of wellbeing and better rest (as reported by some recipients)
To experience a traditional Japanese practice

How it works on the body

Shiatsu works through sustained pressure, often using the practitioner's body weight, combined with passive stretches and joint movement.

A session, step by step

01
Health questions
On the first visit the practitioner asks about your health, medical history, sleep and lifestyle.
02
Stay dressed
You keep your clothes on; loose, comfortable clothing such as cotton trousers is ideal.
03
On a futon
You usually lie or sit on a futon mattress on the floor.
04
Pressure and stretches
The practitioner uses fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows, knees and sometimes feet, alternating pressure with stretches.
05
Rest afterwards
Mild tiredness, stiffness or a headache can occur and usually pass within a few hours.

Precautions

If you have osteoporosis or a low platelet count, ask for a gentler form of shiatsu and check with your doctor.
During pregnancy, especially the first trimester, certain points are traditionally avoided: tell the practitioner you are pregnant.
Postpone your session if you have a fever.
Ask your doctor first if you have a history of blood clots or take blood thinners; rare serious events such as clots have been reported after massage, mostly with vigorous techniques.
Shiatsu does not replace medical care: do not use it to delay seeing a doctor about a health problem.

Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.

In Thailand

In Thailand, massage offered as a business is regulated by the Health Establishment Act B.E. 2559 (2016), in force since 27 September 2016 and overseen by the Department of Health Service Support (Ministry of Public Health). Spa, health-massage and beauty-massage establishments must hold a licence, and service providers must be registered after completing a recognised course. Japan's national shiatsu licence is a Japanese system, so it is worth asking a practitioner where and how long they trained, and checking that the venue displays its licence.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to undress?

No. Shiatsu is done through clothing; wear something loose and comfortable.

Does it hurt?

Pressure can be firm and occasionally uncomfortable. Tell the practitioner at once if it is too strong; it should not be painful.

How is shiatsu different from acupressure?

They are close cousins: both press points along traditional meridians. Shiatsu also adds stretches and joint movements and is a full-body session.

Is it scientifically proven?

Not for specific conditions. Reviews find the evidence for shiatsu limited and of low quality, though people often report feeling relaxed afterwards.

Also in Traditional massage

On pranathai

Find a Shiatsu practitioner

No practitioner of this discipline on pranathai yet. Are you a practitioner here? Create your free page