shiatsu
shee-AHT-soo
/ʃiˈætsuː/
A Japanese massage therapy in which pressure is applied with the thumbs, fingers, and palms to specific points on the body.
Focuses on energy pathways (meridians) and is typically performed with the client fully clothed on a floor mat.
The story behind the word. Developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Tokujiro Namikoshi. He created the technique to help treat his mother's rheumatoid arthritis, combining traditional Japanese massage with Western anatomy.
Word relationships
- acupressure: Acupressure is a broad term for applying pressure to acupuncture points, while shiatsu is a specific Japanese style of acupressure that incorporates stretching and joint mobilization.
Commonly confused with
- acupuncture: Acupuncture uses thin needles inserted into the skin, whereas shiatsu relies entirely on manual pressure from fingers and palms.
Collocations
- shiatsu massage
- shiatsu practitioner
- shiatsu session
Example sentences
- "Our spa offers traditional shiatsu to help balance your body's energy flow and relieve muscular tension." A wellness center menu description.
Memory hook
Think of 'she' (shi) pressing 'at you' (atsu) with her fingers. Shi-atsu is finger pressure. Finger pressure massage.
When not to use
Do not confuse with Swedish massage, which uses oils and gliding strokes on bare skin.
Fun facts
- Tokujiro Namikoshi, the founder of modern Shiatsu, famously treated celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali when they visited Japan.
Related words
Explore more words
naturopathy, acupuncture, Stretch, physiotherapy, compression, threading
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