Shiatsu is a form of bodywork that originated in Japan. It combines traditional Japanese manual therapies, including anma, a traditional Japanese massage technique, with concepts from modern anatomy and health care.

Shiatsu is often described as a form of acupressure. It involves applying pressure to specific points and areas of the body to help reduce muscular tension, promote relaxation, and support overall well-being.

Shiatsu also incorporates traditional concepts related to Qi, or vital energy. In traditional East Asian medicine, health and well-being are associated with the balanced and unobstructed flow of Qi throughout the body. When this flow becomes deficient, imbalanced, or blocked, it is traditionally believed to contribute to discomfort and other symptoms.

A Shiatsu practitioner applies pressure along the body’s meridians, which are traditionally understood as pathways through which Qi flows. The goal is to promote balance, relieve tension, and support the body’s natural ability to maintain overall well-being.

Although the word “Shiatsu” translates to “finger pressure,” a practitioner may also use the palms, thumbs, elbows, and sometimes other techniques to apply pressure along specific points and pathways of the body. These techniques are used to help relieve muscular tension, encourage relaxation, and promote a greater sense of physical well-being.