Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Shiatsu, similar to acupressure, uses finger pressure, manipulations and stretches, along Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians.
Shiatsu is popular in Europe, but lacks reviews on its evidence-base. References of articles were checked. Searches identified publications. Final inclusions were 9 Shiatsu and 71 acupressure studies. A quarter were graded A highest quality. Shiatsu studies comprised 1 RCT, three controlled non-randomised, one within-subjects, one observational and 3 uncontrolled studies investigating mental and physical health issues.
Evidence was of insufficient quantity and quality. Acupressure studies included 2 meta-analyses, 6 systematic reviews and 39 RCTs. Strongest evidence was for pain particularly dysmenorrhoea, lower back and labour , post-operative nausea and vomiting. Additionally quality evidence found improvements in sleep in institutionalised elderly. Appraisal tools may be inappropriate for some study designs.
Evidence is improving in quantity, quality and reporting, but more research is needed, particularly for Shiatsu, where evidence is poor. Acupressure may be beneficial for pain, nausea and vomiting and sleep. Shiatsu is a form of complementary and alternative medicine CAM which primarily developed in Japan [ 1 ].
Both Shiatsu and acupressure have roots in Chinese medicine and embrace the philosophy of Yin and Yang, the energy meridians, the five elements and the concept of Ki, or energy. This concept of affecting the balance of energy through acupoints on the meridians is similar to acupuncture where needles or heat is applied to acupoints [ 2 ]. Shiatsu incorporates acupressure, which is similar but applies pressure for longer on specific pressure points on meridians, following Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM theory.
