Shiatsu: an ancient practice, recognized and regulated
Shiatsu is a Japanese manual practice, recognized for decades in Japan and progressively integrated in Europe as a complementary health approach. It is rooted in the principles of Chinese Medicine. The practitioner mainly applies pressure on acupuncture points and works the meridians through stretching, in order to restore the free flow of Qi (vital energy).
An official framework, in Japan and then in Europe
In Japan, Shiatsu obtained its first legal recognition in 1955 from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — at the time still grouped with traditional Anma under a single therapy. It was not until 1964 that Shiatsu was officially recognized as a distinct manual practice, with its own regulatory framework.
In Europe, Shiatsu is one of eight complementary approaches recognized as a "non-conventional medicine worthy of consideration" by the European Parliament, in its resolution of 29 May 1997.
The pioneers of Shiatsu in Europe (1960s)
Shiatsu established itself in Europe through Japanese teachers who moved abroad to pass on martial arts (such as Aikido), macrobiotics, or Eastern philosophy. Alongside this, they introduced Shiatsu as a health method.
Masters such as Masahilo Nakazono, Toru Namikoshi, Yasungeta Sasaki, Kazunori Kawada and Ryotan Tokuda travelled across France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium to train the first European practitioners — laying the foundations of the practice as it is still taught today.
Collaborations with the hospital sector
Today, several collaborations exist between Shiatsu practitioners and hospitals, particularly in oncology support care and patient comfort, as well as in stress management and burnout prevention for healthcare staff.
This is the case, for example, at the Institut Roi Albert II, which includes Shiatsu in its supportive care offering. In France, several AP-HP hospitals also welcome practitioners, notably at the Tenon and Pitié-Salpêtrière sites — an example account can be found on artdutoucher.net.
The purpose of Shiatsu: supporting self-regulation
Shiatsu is above all a preventive practice. Even before visible symptoms appear, the practitioner can sense the body's energetic weaknesses. They stimulate energy where it is lacking, help it flow where it is stagnant, and disperse it where it is in excess.
Shiatsu never changes the nature or the quantity of this energy: it gets movement flowing again, restores breath. This is why a Shiatsu practitioner is said to help the person receiving the session self-regulate, and even self-heal.
When should you see a Shiatsu practitioner?
From the most pronounced imbalance to the mildest, here are the most common situations where a Shiatsu session can be beneficial:
As prevention, following the rhythm of the seasons
According to Taoist philosophy, we are governed by a continuous yin-yang movement, alternating between imbalance and rebalancing. Everyone can feel these seasonal shifts of energy, to their own degree of sensitivity. A session at each change of season helps strengthen the immune system. If your life is going through more changes than usual, a monthly session can be considered.
When an imbalance starts to show physically
The body, in homeostasis, often corrects its own imbalances. This can be seen, for example, when back discomfort disappears after a good night's sleep. The body is able to self-regulate without outside intervention. However, if this discomfort persists, it is worth seeing a Shiatsu practitioner.
When a minor issue is progressing
A simple cold often develops in stages: the throat starts to feel irritated, then a runny nose sets in, and if nothing is done, the small cold can tend toward a flu-like state. If you are prone to this kind of progression, seeing a Shiatsu practitioner at the very first symptoms can help the body recover its breath more quickly. However, it is not recommended to receive a Shiatsu session while running a fever.
Alongside a more serious illness
As mentioned above regarding collaborations between Shiatsu schools and hospitals, Shiatsu can also support a person in building the strength needed to face an illness such as cancer, alongside their medical care.
Shiatsu sessions are in no way a substitute for medical care or treatment. Any symptom that concerns you should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
Wellness or therapeutic: choosing the right practitioner
It is important to distinguish wellness-oriented Shiatsu from therapeutic Shiatsu — the latter requiring a more advanced level of training on the practitioner's part to be able to claim it. Professional federations such as the FBS (Belgian Shiatsu Federation) or the UFPST (Francophone Union of Therapeutic Shiatsu Professionals) can help guide this choice.
Sources and references
Recognition of Shiatsu in Japan — first legal recognition in 1955 (grouped with Anma), then recognition as a distinct therapy in 1964 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Source: Shiatsu Therapy Association.
Resolution A4-0075/97 of the European Parliament, adopted in plenary session on 29 May 1997, following the report by Paul Lannoye (Belgian MEP) and Kenneth Collins — recognition of Shiatsu as a non-conventional medicine in Europe.
WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023, World Health Organization — still in effect through the extension of its integration resolutions (including WHA62.13).
Institut Roi Albert II — an example of hospital collaboration incorporating Shiatsu into its supportive care offering: institutroialbertdeux.be
Shiatsu in hospital, a first-hand account — an account of Shiatsu workshops rolled out across several AP-HP hospitals (Tenon, Pitié-Salpêtrière): artdutoucher.net
FBS (Belgian Shiatsu Federation): shiatsu.be — and UFPST (Francophone Union of Therapeutic Shiatsu Professionals): ufpst.org — professional federations that can help guide the choice of a practitioner.
Bibliography
BEL, Ivan. L'esprit du Shiatsu : techniques, concepts et philosophie (in French). Foreword by Bernard Bouheret. Éditions Chariot d'Or, 2022. ISBN 978-2-36047-091-4. — A reference work on the technical, energetic and philosophical foundations of Shiatsu. Publisher's page