Shiatsu Research

Shiatsu practitioners know from experience the profound impact Shiatsu can have on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. However, despite its increasing popularity, Shiatsu therapy still faces significant hurdles for gaining broader recognition within mainstream healthcare. 

The Shiatsu Society UK is on a mission to promote and support the highest standards of Shiatsu practice across all communities. As the main professional body for Shiatsu within the UK, we are dedicated to supporting registered members through all stages of their journey.  

We focus on five interlinked areas of activity, and Shiatsu Research is one of them. It is a significant pillar in our vision, and we are working hard to increase Shiatsu's evidence base.

We aim to make Shiatsu an officially recognised form of therapeutic bodywork, ensuring that all members are recognised as essential healthcare workers in the promotion of positive health and wellbeing. 

Co-created with SSUK members in 2025, our 2030 Research Strategy has been thoughtfully designed to provide a clear, evidence-based pathway towards NHS and ASA recognition. By systematically gathering robust scientific evidence, forming strategic healthcare partnerships, and empowering our practitioner community, we aim to elevate Shiatsu’s public and professional profile. 

Led by our Research Director, Kathi Bouchaar, the main aims of SSUK research over the next five years are centered around the following three axes:  

Below you will find the 5-Year Research Strategy and Roadmap for the Shiatsu Society UK (SSUK) for 2025-2029:

Shiatsu Research: Why do we need more evidence?

There is data available to show that Shiatsu interventions can benefit those living with a wide range of disorders and problems. Numerous research studies, articles, case studies and systematic reviews of Shiatsu, including randomised clinical trials, have been published in professional and peer-reviewed journals. As a result, the evidence base for Shiatsu is continuing to grow – in both quantity and quality.

Multiple research studies¹ have found that Shiatsu correlates with improvements to back and muscle pain, menopausal symptoms, fibromyalgia, digestive problems, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and stress management – e.g. some Shiatsu treatment studies have shown clinically beneficial shifts in stress hormones, as well as an improvement in sleep and activation of the immune system.²   

For instance, evaluating the impact of delivering Shiatsu at a general practice surgery in Sheffield, one study found that Shiatsu treatments led to significantly fewer doctors’ visits and reduced drug prescriptions for patients living with a range of chronic conditions.³ 

Initial research into the wellbeing concerns of cancer and palliative care patients receiving Shiatsu in an outpatient clinic has indicated positive results.⁴  

An independent, cross-country evaluation of the benefits of Shiatsu, commissioned by the European Shiatsu Federation and led by a team of researchers at the University of Leeds, found that over a six-month period between 84% and 87% of participating Shiatsu clients felt that Shiatsu had been effective in treating their symptoms. 

Shiatsu Improves Health & Wellbeing 

While a recent meta-study suggested that in some instances Shiatsu may show a slight advantage compared to procedures of conventional medicine, further research is needed to substantiate these findings.⁵

The results from these studies show that Shiatsu has great potential not only for strengthening and maintaining client health, but also for improving the quality of life for many people. These studies also suggest that the reduced use of healthcare and medication has potential implications for reducing public healthcare costs and loss of work time due to illness. 

Based on the experiences of 948 Shiatsu clients in the UK, Austria and Spain, the study reported a healthier workforce with reduced sickness absenteeism. Additionally, a high proportion of clients made positive lifestyle changes taking increased rest, relaxation, and exercise.⁶ 

As is often the case with research, it is clear that further studies are needed to evaluate systematically the impact that Shiatsu can have on health and wellbeing, but this is a very strong foundation on which to build. 

The Shiatsu Research Network (SRN) is an international open platform for developing and supporting scientific research projects in Shiatsu. Its Vision is to have the potential benefits of Shiatsu and its mechanisms of action made visible in the wider world. SRN provides practical research tools and advice to assist practitioners in engaging in research. They have a listing of published studies on Shiatsu. A comprehensive Shiatsu Research Database is currently being created by SSUK in collaboration with the SRN.

RCCM is a charitable organisation with a mandate to develop high-quality research into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It works with CAM professional bodies such as the Shiatsu Society to facilitate information sharing and provides research-focused events which can assist CAM research.  

SSUK maintains links with the European Shiatsu Federation (ESF) which is a member of the European Forum for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (EFCAM) and is active in promoting collaborative effectiveness research in CAM.  

ISCMR provides a platform for knowledge and exchange of holistic and integrative forms of medicine to enhance international communication and research collaboration.  

If you would like to get involved either by participating in research, making a request or a donation, please get in touch with our Research Director, Kathi Bouchaar.  

References

1. Robinson, N. et al. 2011. The evidence for Shiatsu: A Systematic Review of Shiatsu and Acupressure. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11:88. Available at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/11/88; Brady, H. et al. 2001. The Effects of Shiatsu on Lower Back Pain. In: Journal of Holistic Nursing. Official journal of the American Holistic Nurses Association 19 (1). p. 57–70. 

2. de Albuquerque, A.C. et al. 2008. Effects of five weeks of a Shiatsu Therapy Programme on the Stress Phase and Blood Pressure of Hypertension Adults. In: Physical therapy in Movement 21(3):51-58; Yuan, S.L. et al. 2013. Effects of Shiatsu in the Management of Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Controlled Pilot Study. In: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 36 (7): 436–443. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.05.019.

3. Pirie, Z. 2003. The Impact of Delivering Shiatsu in General Practice. PhD thesis. University of Sheffield. Available at: http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/4214 

4. Kleinau, A. et al. 2016. A Review of Shiatsu and an Endpoint Analysis (Meta-Analysis) of Controlled Studies on the Efficacy of Shiatsu Research. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331928783_A_review_of_Shiatsu_and_an_endpoint_analysis_meta-analysis_of_controlled_studies_on_the_efficacy_of_Shiatsu 

5. Browne et al concluded further study with larger group of participants is needed for robust evidence. Browne, N. et al. 2018. Relieving pressure - an evaluation of Shiatsu treatments for cancer and palliative care patients in an NHS setting. In: European Journal of Medicine, 21:27-33.  

6. Long, A.F. 2007. The Effects and Experience of Shiatsu: A Cross-European Study. Final Report. School of Healthcare, University of Leeds.