Research on Shiatsu Massage Therapy and it's effectiveness

Shiatsu is a traditional hands-on Japanese healing therapy. It can help in a wide range of conditions - from specific injuries to more general symptoms of poor health. Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing experience and regular Shiatsu sessions help to prevent the build up of stress.

Research & general acceptance

Like many forms of massage, Shiatsu massage is widely believed to have a relaxing effect on the body. There is also a significant amount of research suggesting that acupressure techniques can relieve nausea and vomiting associated with a variety of causes, including pregnancy and anesthetics and other drugs. In one study, published in the Journal Of Nurse-midwifery in 1989, acupressure was shown to significantly reduce the effects of nausea in 12 of 16 women suffering from morning sickness. Five days of this therapy also appeared to reduce anxiety and improve mood.

Shiatsu and lower Back Pain

Linda H. Brady, R.N., Ph.D. Drake University

A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest single-group design was used

Shiatsu, a specific type of massage, was used as an intervention in this study of 66 individuals complaining of lower back pain. Each individual was measured on stateltrait anxiety and pain level before and after four shiatsu treatments. Each subject was then called 2 days following each treatment and asked to quantify the level of pain.

Both pain and anxiety decreased significantly over time. Extraneous variables such as gender, age, gender of therapist, length of history with lower back pain, and medications taken for lower back pain did not alter the significant results. These subjects would recommend shiatsu massage for others suffering from lower back pain and indicated the treatments decreased the major inconveniences they experienced with their lower back pain.

Participants in this study reported a very positive experience with shiatsu as an intervention for their lower back pain. Their report of pain
decreased significantly after each treatment and throughout the study period, although the reported pain after each treatment was significantly lower than it was reported to be 2 days later. State anxiety, which is commonly associated with pain (Spielberger, 1983) and may be a factor for individuals experiencing massage for the first time, decreased after each treatment, whereas trait anxiety, which is purported to be a stable construct (Spielberger, 1983), did not vary across the four treatments. Pain and state anxiety decreased throughout the study regardless of the subject's gender, age, hobbies, employment, years of lower back pain, history with shiatsu, or the fact that some took pain medications prior to the study and some did not. There was no difference in perceived pain or state anxiety related to any of these demographic variables.

Another investigation, published in the British Journal Of Anaesthesia in 1999, studied the effects of acupressure on nausea resulting from the use of anesthetics. Pressure applied to an acupoint on the inside of the wrist appeared to alleviate nausea in patients who received anesthetics during the course of laparoscopic surgery.

Shiatsu Sedative Effect

Shiatsu may also produce sedative and analgesic effects. The sedative powers of acupressure were investigated in a study published in the Journals of Gerontology in 1999, which involved over 80 elderly people who suffered from sleeping difficulties. Compared to the people in the control groups, the 28 participants who received acupressure were able to sleep better. They slept for longer periods of time and were less likely to wake up during the night. The researchers concluded that acupressure may improve the quality of sleep in older adults. The use of acupressure in postoperative pain was investigated in a study published in the Clinical Journal Of Pain in 1996. In this study, which involved 40 knee surgery patients, one group received acupressure (15 acupoints were stimulated) while the control group received sham acupressure. Within an hour of treatment, members of the acupressure group reported less pain than those in the control group. The pain-relieving effects associated with acupressure lasted for 24 hours.

Shiatsu may benefit stroke victims. The results of at least one study (which did not include a control group) suggest that Shiatsu may be useful during stroke rehabilitation when combined with other treatments.

Current Research Winter 2003

Shiatsu Massage Effect on Sleeping Patterns

Patients currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center can participate in a nursing research study on the effects of shiatsu massage on sleep. The Shiatsu practitioner’s intention is to promote health and wellbeing by maintaining the balance of this flow of energy.  The research study is designed to determine if treatment with Shiatsu bodywork has an impact on sleep problems in patients with cancer. Patients who agree to participate will answer questions about sleep and keep a sleep log during the four weeks they are in the study.   They will undergo Shiatsu massage weekly for four weeks as part of the study.  

Some tools to assist you in activating pressure points

Bongers Hand Massage tool	Body Ball	Backnobber II
$19.99  * highest recommendation	$23.99	Reg $36.99 Sale $36.99

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