SHIATSU RESEARCH

 

 

The effects of shiatsu on lower back pain
Brady LH, Henry K, Luth JF 2nd, Casper-Bruett KK. Drake University, USA.
Shiatsu, a specific type of massage, was used as an intervention in this study of 66 individuals complaining of lower back pain. Each individual was measured on state/trait anxiety and pain level before and after four shiatsu treatments. Each subject was then called 2 days following each treatment and asked to quantify the level of pain. Both pain and anxiety decreased significantly over time. Extraneous variables such as gender, age, gender of therapist, length of history with lower back pain, and medications taken for lower back pain did not alter the significant results. These subjects would recommend shiatsu massage for others suffering from lower back pain and indicated the treatments decreased the major inconveniences they experienced with their lower back pain.
PMID: 11847714 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Cost-benefit of combined use of acupuncture, Shiatsu and lifestyle adjustment for treatment of patients with severe angina pectoris.
Ballegaard S, Norrelund S, Smith D.F.
Acupuncture Center, Klampenborg, Denmark. ballegaard@aku-ballegaard.dk
Sixty-nine patients with severe angina pectoris were treated with acupuncture, Shiatsu and lifestyle adjustments, and were followed for 2 years. Forty-nine patients were candidates for coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG), whereas bypass grafting was rejected in the remaining 20 patients. We compared our endpoint findings with those of a large prospective, randomized trial comparing CABG with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The incidence of death and myocardial infarction was 21% among the patients undergoing CABG, 15% among the patients undergoing PTCA and 7% among our patients. No significant difference was found concerning pain relief between the three groups. Invasive treatment was postponed in 61% of our patients due to clinical improvement, and the annual number of in-hospital days was reduced by 90%, bringing about an estimated economic saving of 12,000 US $ for each of our patients. Despite the fact that the men in the present study, had significantly less positive expectations towards the outcome of the treatment, when compared to the women, there was no significant difference concerning the effect. The study suggests that the combined treatment with acupuncture, Shiatsu and lifestyle adjustment may be highly cost effective for patients with advanced angina pectoris.
PMID: 9051166 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Shiatsu and Cancer Treatment Side Effects
1. Shin YH, Kim TI, Shin MS, Juon HS. Effect of Acupressure on Nausea and Vomiting During Chemotherapy Cycle for Korean Post-Operative Cancer Patients. Cancer Nursing, 2004; 27(4):267-74.
Despite the development of effective antiemetic drugs, nausea and vomiting remain the main side effects associated with cancer chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acupressure on emesis control in postoperative gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Forty postoperative gastric cancer patients receiving the first cycle of chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil were divided into control and intervention groups (n = 20 each). Both groups received regular antiemesis medication; however, the intervention group received acupressure training and was instructed to perform the finger acupressure manoeuvre for 5 minutes on P6 (Nei-Guan) point located at 3-finger widths up from the first palmar crease, between palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis tendons point, at least 3 times a day before chemotherapy and mealtimes or based on their needs. Both groups received equally frequent nursing visits and consultations, and reported nausea and vomiting using Rhode's Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching. We found significant differences between intervention and control groups in the severity of nausea and vomiting, the duration of nausea, and frequency of vomiting. This study suggests that acupressure on P6 point appears to be an effective adjunct maneuver in the course of emesis control.
langara college continuing studies

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The Shiatsu Therapy Program is offered annually in September.  The full time program is 22 weeks long and ends in March.   The program provides in depth professional training in the healing art of shiatsu therapy, as well as opportunities for personal growth and development.  Graduates of our 750 hour program are eligible to apply to the Shiatsu Therapy Association (S.T.A.) of B.C. for Registered Shiatsu Therapist (R.S.T.) status, and may also apply to become members of the American Organization of Bodywork Therapies of Asia (A.O.B.T.A.)

Our program integrates eastern medical philosophy with western sciences and self care.  It is this synthesis that helps make shiatsu therapy a unique and valuable component of an emerging health care model that recognizes the role of prevention and the use of non-invasive therapies.  The program provides comprehensive instruction in Zen Shiatsu, a form of Japanese physical therapy that utilizes firm sensitive pressure and gentle stretches to balance the flow of life force energy, or Ki, that underlies and energizes all of our functions.  Developed by Shizuto Masunaga, Zen Shiatsu is an integration of Master Masunaga’s vast clinical and teaching experience in shiatsu, eastern medical philosophy, western anatomy and physiology, and psychology.  The system recognizes that body, mind and spirit are a unified whole, and that touching another person is more than a purely physical act. Our graduates become skilled practitioners of this healing art and are prepared for success as members of a growing community of complementary health care professionals.

 

"...you are not looking for a specific disease but improving the patient's life by working from the roots of his existence and enlightening the patient to a better way of life."

Master Shizuto Masunaga