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Shiatsu Research

The following are some examples of the latest research being conducted in both Asia and the West into the efficacy of Shiatsu for treating a broad range of conditions.

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Efficacy of Shiatsu

A recent literature review of 66 randomised clinical trials published before April 2005 concluded that acupressure and Shiatsu are an effective form of treatment for a variety of conditions including: labour pain, morning sickness, menstrual pain, sleep quality, low back pain, depression, enuresis, gastrointestinal motility, asthma, motion sickness, cardiovascular function, post-operative issues of pain, vomiting and intestinal function.  Although most of reviewed trials were small, many demonstrated statistically significant effects.

Cochrane database System Review. 2006 Oct 18: (4): CD003521

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Lower Back Pain

Acupressure was shown to be effective in reducing low back pain. A recent randomised, controlled, longitudinal trial was conducted at the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Taiwan and reported in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
The trial evaluated the effectiveness of acupressure in terms of disability, pain, and functional status. 129 participants with chronic low back pain attended the Orthopedic clinic in Kaohsiung, Taipei, where they received acupressure or physical therapy for one month. The main outcome measure was Roland and Morris disability questionnaire, administered at baseline, after treatment, and at six-month follow-up. The mean total score was significantly lower in the acupressure group than in the physical therapy after treatment. Acupressure conferred an 89% reduction in significant disability compared with physical therapy. The improvement in disability score in the acupressure group compared with the physical group remained at six-month follow-up. Statistically significant differences between two groups were found for all six domains of the core outcome, pain visual scale, and modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability questionnaire after treatment and at six-month follow-up. The researchers concluded that the acupressure was an effective treatment for low back pain with sustained effects over 6 months.

Hsieh LL., et al (2006).  Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal. 25;332(7543):696-700.

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Primary Dysmenorrhoea

A recent trial at the College of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan evaluated the efficacy of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point for primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls.  Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological disorder among adolescents.  Sixty-nine female participants with no prior history of gynecological disease or secondary dysmenorrhea and with a pain score above 5 on a visual analogue scale (scale range 0-10) took part in the trial. Thirty-five participants received acupressure, while 34 participants rested for 20 minutes. Fifty participants (30 experimental, 20 control) completed the 4- and 6-week follow-up sessions. Five instruments were used pre- and post-treatment at each session: (1) Visual Analogue Scale for pain; (2) the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire; (3) the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire; (4) the Visual Analogue Scale for anxiety; and (5), for the experimental group only, the Acupressure Self-Assessment Form.  After the initial session, the acupressure reduced the pain and anxiety typical of dysmenorrhea. After the self-treatment follow-up session, the acupressure significantly reduced menstrual pain but not anxiety. Thirty-one (87%) of the 35 experimental participants reported that acupressure was helpful, and 33 (94%) were satisfied with effects of acupressure in relieving the pain and providing psychological support for dysmenorrhea. The findings suggest that acupressure at Sanyinjiao point can be an effective, cost-free intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during dysmenorrhea, and could be recommended for self-care of primary dysmenorrhea.

Chen HM and Chen CM. (2004). Effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on primary dysmenorrhoea. Journal of Advanced N.48(4):380-7.

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When Words Lose their Power:

Shiatsu as a Strategic Tool in Psychotherapy

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Success Stories

The following is an extract from the U.K. Shiatsu Society’s website.

See “Links” in the sidebar to access the full website.

Every Shiatsu practitioner has first-hand experience of the wonders of Shiatsu and how people who have received Shiatsu have benefited from it. Sometimes a Shiatsu client may simply report how they slept better after receiving Shiatsu or really enjoy just having some time “just for me”. However, Shiatsu is a holistic therapy and sometimes it can bring about dramatic change that other less holistic medicine cannot. This is when the miracle of the body’s healing processes can be witnessed and what follows are a small selection of some experiences of Shiatsu practitioners and receivers.

“My neck is 10 times better than when I went to the osteopath. After treatment it used to revert after a couple of days, shiatsu lasts much longer.” Alex Green, School Teacher, Warwick.

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Research

The Systematic Evidence Review for Shiatsu

The Systematic Evidence Review for Shiatsu has now been published. This Review was commissioned by the Shiatsu Society from the Centre for Complementary Healthcare and Integrated Medicine at Thames Valley University.

The Review critically appraises 5 scientific trials of Shiatsu and 41 trials of Acupressure, and details over 200 other trials in its appendices.

The Shiatsu studies provide very limited evidence on a diverse range of health issues (angina, low back pain, fibromyalgia, chemotherapy side effects/anxiety and inducing labour).

Studies on acupressure provided fairly strong evidence for its use in the treatment of pain. Evidence for acupressure for nausea and vomiting was inconsistent, with the strongest evidence for post-operative nausea. Weak evidence for renal symptoms and COPD/asthma was found. The remaining acupressure studies provided evidence of variable quality on psycho-social health issues and consciousness/anaesthesia.

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Shiatsu & AIDS /HIV
Shiatsu & Alzheimer’s
Shiatsu & Arthritis
Shiatsu & Asthma
Shiatsu & Back Problems
Shiatsu & Cancer
Shiatsu & Caregivers
Chronic Obstruct Pulmonary Disease
Shiatsu & Depression
Shiatsu & Digestive Problems
Substance/Alcohol Abuse/Hepatitis C
Shiatsu & Headaches /Migraines
Shiatsu & Heart Problems
Shiatsu & Hysterectomy
Shiatsu & IBS / Bowel Problems
Shiatsu & Insomnia
Shiatsu & Joint Problems
Shiatsu & Knee Problems
Shiatsu & Low Energy
Shiatsu & M.E.
Shiatsu & Menstrual Problems
Shiatsu & Mental Health
Shiatsu & Mulitple Sclerosis
Shiatsu & Musculoskeletal Problems
Shiatsu & Neck Pain
Shiatsu & Pain Management
Shiatsu & Palliative Care
Shiatsu & Panic Attacks
Shiatsu & Pregnancy
Shiatsu & Psychological Problems
Shiatsu & Raynauds
Shiatsu & Rheumatism
Shiatsu & Sciatica
Shiatsu & Shoulder Pain
Shiatsu & Stress
Shiatsu & Ulcerative Colitis

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Research on the Web

shiatsu-research.php

entrez: PubMed research database: search “shiatsu therapy”