Research into Shiatsu
The European Shiatsu Federation, of which the Shiatsu Society is a member, has in recent years undertaken the increasingly necessary steps of commissioning research into shiatsu, of which at present there is very little.
The lack of research into shiatsu was made evident by The Systematic Evidence Review for Shiatsu which was commissioned and funded by Shiatsu Society and undertaken by the Centre for Complementary Healthcare & Integrated Medicine at the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, Thames Valley University. However the review also looked at research relating to acupressure, which is an aspect of shiatsu. It found a lot more research into acupressure and concluded that there was generally consistent evidence to demonstrate that acupressure can control pain. Other areas of research were found to be either inconsistent and needed further research or demonstrated week evidence due to study design.
The Effects and Experience of Shiatsu: A Cross-European Study was commissioned and funded by the European Shiatsu Federation and undertaken by the School of Healthcare at University of Leeds. The research took place in three countries, Austria, Spain and the UK. The study’s findings confirm the safety of shiatsu. Benefits to general well-being, health maintenance, health promotion and awareness. It was noted that there was a reduction in the use of conventional medicine, medication and working days lost due to ill-health. As well as a statistically significant reduction in symptom severity for all symptom groups.
- The Systematic Evidence Review for Shiatsu - Full Version
- The Systematic Evidence Review for Shiatsu - Short Version
- The Effects and Experience of Shiatsu: A Cross-European Study - Full Version
- The Effects and Experience of Shiatsu: A Cross-European Study - Summary
- ESF Research Project Phase 2 Practitioner Report Final December 2007
