Shiatsu is a form of alternative medicine that involves pressure applied to certain areas of the body to relieve pain and to treat conditions such as headaches and neck and shoulder pain. When performing shiatsu, you press into the body in specific locations to stimulate pressure points, which can help relieve pain symptoms.

It is believed that pressure is applied to the body to release tension, and the resulting pressure points can help relax the muscles and stimulate blood flow to the area. Shiatsu is done using the hands, feet, elbows, knees, and fingers. It is considered one of the most effective forms of massage therapy.
Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu is a type of massage that uses thumb pressure to manipulate the muscles and bones. Shiatsu is commonly used for relaxation, injury recovery, and stress relief. The most common shiatsu technique used in the medical field is called “finger pressure” (also called “finger pressure shiatsu”). This method is used to release tension from the body and relieve pain.
Shiatsu has been around since the 1930s and has become a popular modality in the medical field. It is often used to treat back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and other ailments. Finger pressure shiatsu is typically done on the fingers, palms, and wrists. This is done by pushing the muscle tissue and tendons using the fingers, palms, and wrists.
There are several variations of this method, including:
- Thumb Pressure – which is the most common way to practice shiatsu
- Finger Pressure – which is the most effective way to practice shiatsu
- Wrist Pressure – which is used to release pain in the wrist
- Palm Pressure – which is used to remove pain in the palm and fingers
- Forearm Pressure – which is used to release pain in the forearm
- Shoulder Pressure – which is used to remove pain in the shoulder
- Back Pressure – which is used to release pain in the back
- Knee Pressure – which is used to remove pain in the knee and leg
- Foot Pressure – which is used to release pain in the feet and legs
There are a few ways to learn how to do shiatsu.
- You can know how to do it from a professional massage therapist
- You can buy a book on how to do it
- You can find a class to attend
- You can go online and find videos that show you how to do it
The best way to learn how to do shiatsu is to find someone who does it and ask them how they do it.
Shiatsu for Beginners
Shiatsu is a form of massage that uses finger pressure to find points on the body. These points are called acupuncture meridians and are the same ones acupuncturists use.
Acupuncture meridians are found along energy pathways in the body and are connected to organs, glands, and systems. They are known as meridians in traditional Chinese medicine.
When applying pressure to the skin, you stimulate these energy pathways. You can encourage them using your fingers, thumbs or a shiatsu tool.
Your fingers and thumbs are ideal for applying pressure to the body because they are long, flexible, and can reach areas other tools cannot.
Tools for Shiatsu
There are lots of tools available for Shiatsu, but for this article, I’m going to concentrate on a couple of tools. The most common tool is the shiatsu finger.
When you press the pattern on your fingers against the body, you stimulate the points on the body and help to balance your energy. There are other tools available for Shiatsu too.
For example, there are knuckle brushes, a bit like tennis balls, and small wooden blocks. These are used to press the acupressure points. These tools are used in conjunction with the shiatsu finger to help heal.
Beyond her role as Editor-in-Chief, Valentina actively engages with the feng shui community, attending conferences, workshops, and seminars to stay current with the latest developments and trends. She strongly advocates collaboration and believes in collective wisdom, often inviting renowned feng shui experts to contribute to Shiatsu-apse.org and share their unique perspectives.