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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
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