Shiatsu: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage. It involves using the fingers and palm of the hand to apply pressure to specific points on the body. Over the years, different types of shiatsu have been developed. Meridian shiatsu, for example, focuses on the meridians used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, meridians are invisible lines on the body that are thought to carry energy.

Shiatsu is used for pain, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Shiatsu involves using the fingers and palm of the hand to apply pressure to specific points on the body. This method of massage is thought to stimulate certain body functions to correct imbalances, stimulate immune function, promote general health, and prevent disease.

Shiatsu was developed by Tokujiro Namikoshi, who founded the Japan Shiatsu College in 1940. He is famous for providing shiatsu treatments to celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe.

Modern day practitioners of shiatsu are known as "Shiatsupractors." However, official recognition and licensure standards, when they exist, are inconsistent and differ significantly depending on the state or country.

How does it work ?

Shiatsu involves using the fingers and palm of the hand to apply pressure to specific points on the body. This method of massage is thought to stimulate certain body functions to correct imbalances, stimulate immune function, promote general health, and prevent disease.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Childbirth. Shiatsu techniques might help to start labor but do not seem to reduce labor pain.

Insufficient Evidence for

Alzheimer disease. Adding shiatsu massage to exercise seems to improve depression but not thinking, memory, or body function in people with Alzheimer disease.
Back pain. Early research shows that shiatsu massage might reduce pain and anxiety in some people with low back pain.
Pain. Early research shows that self-administered hand-shiatsu massage before bed does not improve sleep or pain in adults with chronic pain.
Quality of life. Early research shows that shiatsu massage might improve energy, confidence, and mobility in people receiving palliative care.
Schizophrenia. Early research shows that shiatsu massage might improve symptoms such as psychosis, depression, and anxiety in people with schizophrenia.
Muscle pain (myalgia).
Osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Injuries.
Stimulating immune function.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of shiatsu for these uses.

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Shiatsu is LIKELY SAFE for most people. But if shiatsu massage is given with too much force, it can damage the nerves and muscles. There have also been rare reports of shiatsu massage causing strokes and blood clots.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Shiatsu is POSSIBLY SAFE for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Surgery: Therapists should be very careful applying shiatsu to patients that have had surgery. Surgical sites can be damaged.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Shiatsu overview.

Dosing

The appropriate or safe use of shiatsu depends on several factors such as the condition being treated or the person administering the treatment. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment.

View References

REFERENCES:

Iwanami H, Odaka M, Hirata K. [Bilateral cerebellar infarction caused by intracranial dissection of the vertebral artery after long periods of "Shiatsu"] . Brain Nerve 2007;59:169-71.

Saito, H. Preventing and resolving post-laparotomy intestinal obstruction: an effective shiatsu method. Am J Chin Med 2000;28(1):141-145.

Ingram, J., Domagala, C., and Yates, S. The effects of shiatsu on post-term pregnancy. Complement Ther Med 2005;13(1):11-15.

Brady, L. H., Henry, K., Luth, J. F. 2nd, and Casper-Bruett, K. K. The effects of shiatsu on lower back pain. J Holist Nurs 2001;19(1):57-70.

Cheesman, S., Christian, R., and Cresswell, J. Exploring the value of shiatsu in palliative care day services. Int J Palliat Nurs 2001;7(5):234-239.

Brown CA, Bostick G, Bellmore L, Kumanayaka D. Hand self-Shiatsu for sleep problems in persons with chronic pain: a pilot study. J Integr Med 2014;12(2):94-101.

Herskovitz S, Strauch B, Gordon MJ. Shiatsu massage-induced injury of the median recurrent motor branch. Muscle Nerve 1992;15(10):1215.

Ichihashi S, Higashiura W, Itoh H, Sakaguchi S, Kichikawa K. Fracture and collapse of balloon-expandable stents in the bilateral common iliac arteries due to shiatsu massage. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2012;35(6):1500-4.

Lichtenberg P, Vass A, Ptaya H, Edelman S, Heresco-Levy U. Shiatsu as an adjuvant therapy for schizophrenia: an open-label pilot study. Altern Ther Health Med 2009;15(5):44-6.

Mumm AH, Morens DM, Elm JL, Diwan AR. Zoster after shiatsu massage. Lancet 1993;341(8842):447.

Teimoori B, Rajabi S, Navvabi-Rigi SD, Arbabisarjou A. Evaluation effect of shiatsu technique on labor induction in post-term pregnancy. Glob J Health Sci 2014;7(3):177-83.

Wada Y, Yanagihara C, Nishimura Y. Internal jugular vein thrombosis associated with shiatsu massage of the neck. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2005;76(1):142-3.

Yeh CC, Ko SC, Huh BK, et al. Shoulder tip pain after laparoscopic surgery analgesia by collateral meridian acupressure (shiatsu) therapy: a report of 2 cases. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008;31(6):484-8.

Tsuboi K, Tsuboi K. Retinal and cerebral artery embolism after "shiatsu" on the neck. Stroke 2001;32(10):2441.

Lanza G, Centonze SS, Destro G, et al. Shiatsu as an adjuvant therapy for depression in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A pilot study. Complement Ther Med. 2018;38:74-78.

Kobayashi D, Shimbo T, Hayashi H, Takahashi O. Shiatsu for chronic lower back pain: Randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med 2019;45:33-37.

Harorani M, Garshasbi M, Sediqi M, et al. The effect of Shiatsu massage on agitation in mechanically ventilated patients: A randomized controlled trial. Heart Lung 2021;50(6):893-897.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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