The very first long-term study across Austria, Spain and the UK shows concrete evidence for the health benefits of Shiatsu. At the end of the study, clients had adopted a more relaxed, healthier, and balanced approach to life. Shiatsu has been practised in some form in Japan for many centuries and in Europe for over thirty years - see Box 1 for a description of Shiatsu. Until now, there have been no objective assessments of the effects of Shiatsu. These results are timely, as many are calling for greater regulation and more research for a number of complementary therapies across Europe.
It is difficult to design a study that includes the concept of holism and does not disrupt the client-practitioner relationship which is at the foundation of many complementary therapies. The research was carried out in two phases: phase one explored the effects that Shiatsu receivers commonly experienced and phase two explored these effects in greater detail looking at how they might change over a six-month period. Phase one: An Exploratory Study Phase one of the study assessed both client and practitioner perspectives on common, immediate and longer term effects of Shiatsu - see Box 2 for further details.
The results of this exploratory study were discussed with a wider group of Shiatsu practitioners to allow questions to be refined. These questions were then used as the basis for the design of questionnaires given to Shiatsu clients in phase two of the project.
Box 1 β What is Shiatsu? Shiatsu is a natural therapy that was developed in Japan where it has been used for centuries to promote health and alleviate illness.
Its foundations are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, but it has also been influenced by western knowledge. The practitioner applies finger, thumb, palm or elbow pressure to certain areas of the body, specific pressure points and meridians. Gentle stretches and rotations may also be used to release tension in tight muscles.
