| Shiatsu, a Japanese form of massage, takes its | | | | addition to the hands. |
| name from the Japanese words for "finger" and | | | | Other varieties of Shiatsu exist, but the defining |
| "pressure." Despite the name, however, the palms | | | | characteristic of all forms is the application of |
| and thumbs can be used in Shiatsu massage as | | | | pressure to areas of the body which have been |
| well as the fingers. Although diverse massage | | | | decided upon beforehand by an assessment of |
| techniques have been practiced in Japan for many | | | | the patient. |
| centuries, the first attempt to create a | | | | Shiatsu is held in highest official regard in Japan, |
| systemized form of Shiatsu came in 1940, when | | | | where it has been recognized as a distinct form |
| Tokujiro Namikoshi (1905-2000) opened the first | | | | of therapy since the 1950s. In Europe, the United |
| Shiatsu school, which is still in operation today. | | | | States, and elsewhere, Shiatsu is a recognized |
| Tokujiro Namikoshi claimed to have first | | | | form of therapy requiring official certification to |
| discovered Shiatsu as a boy while trying to | | | | practice. It has been met with both criticism and |
| comfort his mother, who suffered from arthritis. | | | | acceptance. There is no hard evidence that |
| His method incorporated Western concepts about | | | | Shiatsu massage is effective at treating any |
| human anatomy and health. Some forms of | | | | diseases, and in Europe, it is illegal for practitioners |
| Shiatsu are also inspired by the Chinese concept | | | | of Shiatsu to claim that their work can "heal" or |
| of "meridians," pathways through which blood and | | | | "cure." On the other hand, research has indicated |
| energy flow through the body. The purpose is to | | | | that undergoing Shiatsu leaves people more |
| unblock the meridians and allow a free flow of | | | | relaxed and less stressful, and helps lessen the |
| energy. One example of Meridian Shiatsu is called | | | | symptoms of a variety of ailments, particularly |
| "Zen Shiatsu." It developed in the mid-1970s and | | | | those of the muscles and joints. |
| calls for using the fists, elbows, and knees in | | | | |