What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a form of therapeutic bodywork that originated in Japan. It involves the controlled use of pressure and release, joint rotations, stretching, and other manipulative techniques to relieve tension and pain. The careful application and combination of such techniques encourages a dual effect of relaxation and stimulation. This important balance helps to activate the immune system, assisting the body’s innate self-healing mechanism and speeding up recovery from injuries and illness.

Shiatsu is both an intuitive and practical system. It combines the Eastern medicine holistic view of the human body and mind, with the modern medicine understanding of anatomy and physiology. It is a natural and non-invasive way to support your health and well-being. Shiatsu has a deeply relaxing effect on the body, it calms the mind and may produce an overall feeling of vitality.

What to expect within a treatment

  • Length of treatment: A typical Shiatsu session lasts 60-90 minutes.

  • Initial consultation: Within a short consultation, you are respectfully invited to outline physical symptoms and any relevant health information to enable me to provide a safe and tailored treatment. 

  • Comfortable body position: Your Shiatsu treatment traditionally takes place with you lying comfortably on a mat (futon) on the floor, with cushions supporting to encourage deep relaxation. Shiatsu is an accessible practice and alternative seated positions are available for clients for whom the traditional lying down position is not suitable.

  • Fully clothed: Shiatsu is ‘hands on’ yet not intrusive: there are no oils, no needles and no need to undress - you are simply invited to wear loose, comfortable clothing. Such conditions may be experienced as a very safe and grounding form of therapeutic massage.

  • Corporate chair massage: Short treatments of 20-30 minutes are also very effective and are facilitated using a massage chair. This is an ideal choice for corporate environments. Please visit the Workplace Wellbeing page to learn more about this service.

What are the benefits?

  • Shiatsu works primarily with the physical structures of the body: muscles, joints and fascia. This gentle yet powerful form of bodywork helps to:

    • relax the muscles

    • tone up the circulatory and lymphatic systems

    • improve joint flexibility

    • alleviate postural and breathing problems

    • assist the functioning of internal organs

    Shiatsu can also help with:

    • sports injuries

    • repetitive strain disorders

    • pre and post-workout recovery


  • Moving deeper into the practice, a core focus of Shiatsu is to address the cause of an imbalance rather than treating physical symptoms alone. Shiatsu has been proven to have a positive effect on:

    • short and long-term stress levels

    • fatigue and low energy

    • sleep disturbances

    • pain management

    • anxiety symptoms

  • Therapeutic practitioners of all modalities hold a particular awareness of the need to look after one's own health and wellbeing whilst providing therapy to clients. As a holistic, body-mind therapeutic system, Shiatsu bodywork can offer a peaceful space for therapists to:

    • Reconnect with their own bodies

    • Release stored tensions, held either consciously or subconsciously

    • Reinstate awareness of one's own somatic boundaries

    • Receive a deeply restorative treatment to boost energy and restore vitality


The University of Leeds School of Healthcare, conducted a cross-Europe piece of research into the experiences of clients. Click here if you wish to access this in-depth exploration of the benefits of Shiatsu therapy.

Is Shiatsu right for me?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to health and wellness and I am very happy to talk through any thoughts or questions you might have.

In general, Shiatsu is a versatile form of bodywork as it can be easily adapted to any person’s complaints, aims or medical history.

  • Anyone can benefit from shiatsu, regardless of age or state of health. Every treatment takes into account the specific needs of each individual.

  • The depth and strength of pressure is adjusted to suit the needs and comfort level of each individual client and any areas to be avoided are fully taken into account. This is discussed within our initial consultation and is reviewed regularly within long-term treatments. Pressure can range from extremely gentle for those with sensitivity or in a delicate state of health, to very deep for those requiring strong pressure and manipulation.

  • Shiatsu is a therapeutic bodywork which can be safely used in conjunction with orthodox medical treatment or other alternative therapies.

  • Shiatsu treatments should be avoided in the following circumstances:

    • during the first trimester of pregnancy

    • 6 weeks following any type of surgery

    • 2 week period following any chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment

    • if you have any symptoms of a contagious illness