What is Shiatsu?
A Japanese form of bodywork using finger pressure on acupuncture points.
Benefits
- Relieves muscular tension and chronic pain through meridian-based pressure
- Supports the regulation of the autonomic nervous system
- Addresses fatigue, digestive issues, headaches, and emotional imbalance
- Works within the framework of traditional Chinese medicine energy theory
- Deeply grounding and restoring — often described as a "moving meditation"
What to Expect
You wear comfortable, loose clothing and lie on a futon on the floor. The practitioner applies sustained pressure with thumbs, palms, elbows, and knees along specific meridian pathways. Stretches and joint rotations are integrated. Pressure can range from firm to very light depending on the style (Zen, Namikoshi, Macrobiotic). Sessions are meditative — no oil is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is shiatsu painful?
- Shiatsu should not be painful. Some pressure points may feel tender, but the sensation is distinct from sharp pain. Always communicate with your practitioner.
- How is it different from acupuncture?
- Both work with meridians and Qi, but shiatsu uses touch pressure rather than needles, and addresses the whole body systematically rather than specific points.