5th Century BC - The art of harmonizing the energy meridians through touch to heal the mind and body and achieve Enlightenment – the art of Shiatsu – was introduced from India to China by the monk Bodhiharma. As a result, in China, the cultivation of both mind and body became as important for physicians as it was for priests and warriors.
6th to 10th Centuries AD - Chinese culture flowed into Japan, including Shiatsu.
17th Century AD - Japanese shogun Tokugawa closed off Japan's contact with other nations in response to Southeast Asia being colonized by Europeans. Japan's attention then turned inward to refinement, and its physicians, who were all required to become qualified in Shiatsu, turned even deeper within.
19th Century AD - Japan opened itself up to the West, Japanese elite's adopted Western medicine, and Shiatsu fell out of favor.
20th Century AD - A movement began to revive and further refine Shiatsu, leading to Shiatsu now illuminating the entire face of Mother Earth.
You can relax as deeply as is comfortable for you;
You need not do anything during a Shiatsu massage
You are clothed throughout and lay on a spacious mattress;
You are never in an uncomfortable or unequal position
You only receive sensations intended to evoke pleasure;
You should never experience a need to tense defensively
"By deepening the understanding of Shiatsu's therapeutic benefits for the mind and body, as observed in the studies reviewed, it reinforced the importance of this treatment in reducing stress, relieving muscle tension and enhancing individuals' emotional well-being. The systematic review carried out in this research showed that Shiatsu has a wide range of therapeutic benefits, from improving blood circulation and muscle flexibility to reducing fatigue, stress and anxiety. The results indicated that the application of Shiatsu can be considered a holistic and integrative approach to promoting overall health and balance of body and mind. Therefore, when considering the findings discussed and cited in the various scientific articles analysed, it can be concluded that Shiatsu represents a valuable and effective tool in the context of physiotherapy and holistic health. Its ability to address both the physical and psychological aspects of individuals has highlighted the importance of integrating this therapy into wider healthcare practices. And the in-depth understanding of the fundamentals and benefits of Shiatsu have provided a solid basis for future research and clinical applications aimed at improving the quality of life and well-being of diverse populations."
Cardim, J. M., Braga, B. P., Santos, D. M., Quaresma, E. C., Pantoja, I. T. N., Silva, K. D. S. V. D., ... & Lima, V. H. A. (2023). The Benefits of Shiatsu for a Holistic Approach to Health: A Systematic Review. Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, 35(23), 238-257.