Shiatsu is a Japanese word which means "finger pressure." It is a form of massage therapy, but unlike the specialized muscular therapy commonly associated with massage, Shiatsu focuses on the body's energy (called "Chi" or Qi).
It is based upon the same ancient theory as Acupuncture - Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - but applied in a massage format, without the needles.

As there are many different kinds of massage, there are also many different styles of Shiatsu and therefore many
different ways of interpreting TCM to apply it.
Some kinds of Shiatsu are "deep tissue" and known
as somewhat painful, but Zen style is gentle while remaining powerful and effective. This is because
Zen Shiatsu is an energy therapy.

Zen Shiatsu is advanced healthcare
and preventive medicine,
but it is not a medical treatment.

Zen style Shiatsu is known for its gentle application because many treatments require less actual pressure and more exertion of influence upon the Qi. At many times throughout the session, Shiatsu applies an Acupuncture technique known as dispersion: provide gentle relief of excess tension by dissolving energetic blockages. Most treatments also apply a technique of tonification: build the defenses and eliminate deficiency. My Zen Shiatsu treatment also includes assessment of the Hara and another acupuncture technique called Toyo Hari Meridian Therapy: Acupoints are carefully selected and connected, restoring balance to the energy.

The purpose of a Zen Shiatsu treatment is to revive the body's natural self-healing ability, balance the energy, and restore health. Treatment intends to regulate and strengthen every body system, eliminate symptoms at their source, tonify the body's integrity and resilience, and encourage the prevention of illness.

Zen Shiatsu is a Holistic modality of Complimentary Medicine which harmonizes well with most medical treatments and therapies. Through Zen Shiatsu we seek to correct energetic imbalances
which can eliminate symptoms that may lead to conditions that require medical treatment.

FAQ

Is it painful?
No, and it shouldn't be. When it is, it is not Zen style Shiatsu. At worst it can be described as unpleasant release, and you shouldn't experience actual pain. On extremely rare occasion, some people felt slight pain hours later but it always passes and does not return. This happens in many healing modalities, and in worse scenarios, is referred to as a "Healing Crisis:" a patient has a temporary decline, then an extreme upturn followed by disappearing symptoms. Some practitioners call this healing; I prefer simply getting better, as I believe the actual healing is up to the individual, not the application of most therapies.

How does it work?
How Shiatsu is applied is discussed here, and more information about its actual applications can be found elsewhere in abundance. This question could also be interpretted as: Why does it work? The answer is, no one really knows why acupuncture has worked for over 5000 years. It is very much a science, but not as defined by any Western Science. The modern medicine of western developed nations often refuses to recognize the medicine of the Far East for various reasons, despite the facts that it is older and more established and that it works. The most powerful medicine by far is the combination of advanced modern medicine and advanced ancient medicine: Complimentary Medicine. For example, with my treatments I have seen consistent success easing or eliminating the side effects of medicines prescribed by a physician. But that does not mean that these people stopped their medications or seeing their physicians.
Fortunately, Eastern sciences recognize and work with Western significantly more willingly and effectively than the West recognizes the East. Regardless of such bigotry, each side of the discussion can correctly claim abilities the other does not possess; therefore, as in life, working together produces the most successful results.

Why Shiatsu and not other massage styles?
Massage is a specialized muscular therapy which by definition only treats the musculature. Massage does not address all bodily systems the way Shiatsu does. A Shiatsu treatment is a Holistic therapy, which means simply that it seeks to address, and in the case of Shiatsu, balance every part of the body. It does so by treating the body's energy, which is affected by and has effects on every part of the body.
Each individual situation is of course different, and sometimes a different approach is required to solve a problem. If for example someone has a painful condition which is intensified by touch, a traditional massage might not be appropriate at all. In fact, conditions caused by an energetic imbalance can be worsened by such an example, making an energy-based treatment system more appropriate. How does someone know when a condition is the result of an energetic imbalance? These conditions can be difficult to describe, and would include any condition for which Western medicine has had limited success or definition.

What is Shiatsu best for treating?
In theory, Shiatsu can address any known condition with positive results. Our society doesn't always encourage us to live in harmony with our surroundings, whether in the context of diet, lifestyle, or health. If your condition is advanced, Acupuncture may be a more appropriate therapy, and if that is the case I can refer you to a talented, experienced, local practitioner.
As for more specific examples, no one can say with certainty that Shiatsu would work every time in all situations. To suggest otherwise would raise obvious legal and ethical questions. I can however say the following:

I cannot state that I can stop an asthma attack, but I have done it before and I'm confident that I could be successful again.

I cannot state that I can help people avoid surgery, but I have done it before and I'm confident that I could be successful again.

I cannot state that I can restore a regular menstrual cycle, but I have done it before and I'm confident that I would be successful again.

I cannot state that I can eliminate all headaches, but I've rarely found them difficult and never had a situation in which Shiatsu provided no relief.

To answer the question more directly, Shiatsu is best for treating a person that is ready to change their condition, whether they believe in the therapy, or understand it thoroughly, or not. If someone gets a Shiatsu treatment and is sceptical about its effects, this can actually interfere with Shiatsu's (or any other therapy's) success.

Being ready to heal is essential to the healing process.

What is the difference between Shiatsu and Acupuncture?
Shiatsu encourages the body to change itself, at its own pace; Acupuncture forces the body to change, and sometimes requires more applications for the body to change itself. Acupuncture can in most situations be more advanced than Shiatsu therapy, but Shiatsu can often achieve the same results. Acupuncture is often more appropriate for emergency situations requiring immediate intervention. In other countries, First-Responder Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are sometimes also certified Acupuncturists, which apply a blended treatment of modern and ancient emergency medicine, in the field.

What are the contraindications, if any?
There are actually very few situations in which Shiatsu is inappropriate. Obvious situations would include when someone is in need of medical or psychological attention, or is not healthy enough to have bodywork performed. Other less obvious examples would include but not be limited to:

• The first trimester of pregnancy
• The site of extreme injury

Shiatsu can still be performed in situations of injury, and in most circumstances is highly recommended. Since it is an Holistic therapy, Shiatsu is applied to the rest of the body, in a way that avoids the actual site of injury while adjusting the treatment style to (energetically) still include the injured area. It is the Qi that repairs the body, and it is the Qi that is treated with Shiatsu.
As for during pregnancy, it is appropriate and highly recommended after most of the first trimester. This is because the initial spark of life, described botanically as a zygote, is the creation of new Qi. The Qi creates the Meridians, which in turn create all bodily organs, systems, and parts. One does not want to alter the Qi during its initial creation stage; but after the Meridians form and the body is being manufactured in utero, Shiatsu therapy can very much encourage the healthy development of the fetus. There are select points which are forbidden to be used during the pregnancy; these points are well known and easily eliminated from the treatment.

Later on during the term, Shiatsu and Acupuncture are often used during delivery, when problems arise: there is a point famous for turning a breached baby during labor; there is a point group used for inducing labor when overdue. These techniques have been used safely for millennia, and today are often applied by the trained nurses or physicians involved in the delivery.

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