Anyone who cares about their physical and mental health has probably received some form of massage treatment before or at least considered the possibility. There’s definitely justification for this, as these treatment methods help countless people around the world, and numerous studies have proven their undeniable effectiveness, particularly in treating muscle pain or various orthopedic issues. One of the most well-known methods is Shiatsu, which originated in the Far East, and today we’ll introduce it to you in detail so you can fully understand its principles, recognize some of the benefits it offers, and even learn a thing or two about performing Shiatsu treatments.
So what exactly is Shiatsu?
Most of us probably only partially understand what Shiatsu is and know it as a concept related to massage. Therefore, before we delve into the benefits of this treatment, it’s worth getting to know it a bit better. This method was originally developed in Japan, and its name is composed of two words: "Shi," meaning finger, and "Atsu," meaning pressure. It evolved from Anma, another Japanese touch therapy method, and was influenced by techniques such as acupuncture and Tuina (a Chinese treatment method whose name means "push and grasp"). Nowadays, it’s customary to distinguish between the school of thought based on Western anatomy and physiology and the one based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); hence, in Israel, we mainly recognize this method from the world of complementary medicine and typically practice it differently from how it’s done in Japan, but in its homeland, it’s considered a top-tier licensed medical treatment.
What is the principle behind Shiatsu treatment? The main assumption is that invisible energy channels, called meridians, flow through the human body, influencing and being influenced by internal organs. Such claims often raise eyebrows, but there are researchers who argue that possible evidence of such channels has been found, as can be seen in a study conducted in South Korea. When there are blockages in these energy channels, pain, illness, and similar issues may appear in the areas they influence. During Shiatsu treatment, the therapist’s fingers, primarily their thumbs, apply pressure to specific points on the body with the appropriate intensity for the patient’s problems, in a manner similar to acupuncture but without needles. In Israel, it’s more common to see therapists who also use other body parts such as forearms, elbows, knees, etc. Typically, the patient lies on a treatment table or mat, and oils are not used because they interfere with applying the appropriate pressure at the right place.
Benefits of Shiatsu
Stress Reduction
Touch therapy methods are generally considered to have a calming effect on the mind, with Shiatsu focusing on balancing the body and its energy to prevent the buildup of stress, according to an article published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. A fascinating but small 2014 study even showed that Shiatsu treatments are effective, in the short and long term, for reducing stress levels in children on the autism spectrum. Reducing stress in our lives has a positive impact on preventing various health issues, and it’s even important for people who are already suffering from certain illnesses – to take care of themselves in this regard. Evidence of this is presented on the website of the UK Cancer Research Center, where it’s noted that people suffering from this severe disease use Shiatsu treatment to manage mood swings, sleep problems, loss of appetite, and so on.
Relief from Back Pain, Muscle Pain, and Migraines
It’s not surprising that various massage and touch techniques can help treat different types of pain, but it’s a pleasure to discover that in the case of Shiatsu, there’s evidence, recommendations, and even advantages that no other method offers. According to health funds in Israel, Shiatsu may help alleviate headaches, muscle pain, various skeletal issues, including back pain, and more. It’s worth noting that, at least according to the conclusions of a study conducted among people suffering from back pain, various factors – such as the patient’s age, gender, or the duration of their pain history – did not affect the significant effectiveness of the treatment. Another study published in 2014 even suggests that Shiatsu treatments for the hands and feet of people who suffered burns – helped alleviate their pain.
Treatment of Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are two similar but different issues, with anxiety generally being a state where a person feels fear and unease due to the thought that something bad might happen beyond their control. By releasing the body’s energy channels, Shiatsu therapists can help such feelings weaken or even disappear, thus also treating the various symptoms of anxiety: weakness, sweating, dizziness, rapid breathing, and more. A 2015 study showed that this benefit even helps people in difficult situations, such as burn patients, who experienced relief in their anxiety levels even after just 20 minutes of Shiatsu treatment.
Improvement of Digestive System Function
Stress and anxiety are certainly not good for the digestive system, but they’re not the only reason Shiatsu is beneficial for our stomach. In addition to reducing and releasing stress, such treatment also improves blood circulation in the body, and according to those who believe in the method, it also opens energy blockages to the spleen and liver – two organs that affect a range of digestive issues like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and slow metabolism.
Relief from Arthritis Pain
According to Adam Hellinger, Vice President of the Shiatsu Society in the UK, this method focuses on movement, energy release, and flow, so it can help the body deal with inflammation buildup and stimulate the activity of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. For this reason, he and many Shiatsu therapists use this method to treat people suffering from arthritis and the pain it causes. In fact, the man considered the father of modern Japanese Shiatsu, Tokujiro Namikoshi, developed his skills to treat his mother’s rheumatoid arthritis.
Practicing Shiatsu
After getting to know the Shiatsu method better and learning about some of its main benefits, you can explore complementary treatment options in your health fund to reap those benefits. You’re also invited to use the following 3 instructional videos in English to see the movements and different pressure techniques characteristic of the Shiatsu method and get an impression of them for yourself.
Basic Shiatsu Techniques:
Shiatsu Back Massage:
Shiatsu Hand Massage:
Image source: Arnaldo V. Carvalho
