It is notable that of the many types of massage offered all over the Western world, a high quota are actually from an Eastern source – namely Asia. Among these popular types of Asian massage, one of the most popular and innovative is actually a Japanese / Chinese hybrid form of massage by the name of Shiatsu. Although in line with the classic principles of massage – that health problems can be cured by physical manipulation – Shiatsu is a very different kind of massage, and one that appeals to many people for a number of reasons.

There are many of us, for example, who are reluctant to go to a massage therapist for reasons of shyness – put simply, we do not want to be asked to remove our clothes. With Shiatsu, this is not necessary. nor is it necessary to use oil for the massage, something that puts a lot of people off more classic, conventional Western types of massage. For this reason it is considered less luxurious by many people, and there are those who criticise it as being “painful”, but it is a “good pain”.

Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning “finger pressure”. This description is fully apposite for the style of massage, as it concentrates less on laying one’s hands on a person and creating friction, and more on a rhythmic stimulation of an affected area. However, despite the (translated) name, Shiatsu does not just use the fingers, and relies also on the palms of the hands. It is more localised than other forms of massage – but although some people say that it sounds and appears painful, there is no reason why it need be so.

The list of problems for which Shiatsu is considered a worthwhile treatment is a long one. It is particularly good for stress-related problems such as tension and headaches, depression and insomnia. It is believed that it works on the same principles as acupuncture and acupressure, concentrating on freeing up blocked energy, or “Qi” to use the Chinese term, and allowing it to flow throughout the body normally.