Shiatsu is a type of massage therapy that uses finger pressure on various points on the body to restore balance and facilitate natural healing. It’s traced back to ancient Japanese and Chinese medicine but has since spread throughout the world. Aisen Chiryo Doin, the leading shiatsu center in Honolulu, HI, is here to discuss everything you need to know about the history of shiatsu therapy.

Shiatsu therapy is the product of Japanese accu pressure. Shiatsu therapy uses a variety of techniques, such as gripping and  applying pressure with our thumbs and fingers to different pressure points on the body through clothing. This is done to manipulate a person’s muscular and circulatory systems.

The term shiatsu therapy was first used at the beginning of the 20th century by teacher Tamai Tempaku to add scientific credibility to this form of therapy. However, the Japanese government did not officially recognize it as a form of medical therapy until 1964. While Tamai Tempaku was the first, many different schools of shiatsu therapy have emerged since the earlier half of the 20^th century, including the Namikoshi system and Zen Shiatsu.  

The five elements, which are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood, represent the body’s energy forces and shape the theory and practice of shiatsu massage. Shiatsu aims to help the imbalances within the body that are caused by misalignment of the elements and their energy forces.

If you’re looking to schedule your first appointment for a shiatsu massage, turn to Aisen Chiryo Doin, the best massage center in Honolulu, HI. They treat a wide range of conditions, from sciatica to muscle cramps, to help improve their clients’ quality of life. Contact a staff member today at (808) 596-7354 to schedule an appointment or visit their website for more information about their full list of services.