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Emergency: 144

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese bodywork treatment. Pressure is applied with the thumbs, palms, elbows and knees along certain lines and points, combined with gentle stretches and movements. Treatment takes place in comfortable clothing on a mat on the floor.

therapists
6
session length
50–75 min

Therascout does not diagnose. Have new, severe or persistent complaints checked by a doctor first. Emergency: 144

Origin and approach

Shiatsu means finger pressure in Japanese and developed in the 20th century from traditional Japanese forms of massage. It draws on the East Asian medical idea that life energy (ki) flows through meridians. The aim is to balance this flow; the existence of meridians has not been shown scientifically.

What a session is like

Length: 50–75 min
  1. At the start, you talk about how you feel and what you would like.
  2. Often your abdomen or back is felt to get an impression of how you are.
  3. You lie clothed on a mat; treatment includes pressure, stretches and moving your arms and legs.
  4. At the end there is a short rest, often with tips for everyday life.

Shiatsu: what is it used for?

  • Stress and tension: many people value the relaxing effect; there is little scientific evidence for it.
  • Muscle tension and back pain: this use is based mainly on tradition and experience.
  • Sleep problems: some people say they sleep better after shiatsu; there are hardly any studies on this.

How well is the effect supported?

Complaints for which this method is commonly used, sorted by the state of research. The rating shows how well the effect is supported, not whether it will help you.

What do the dots mean?
Established
recommended in guidelines, well studied
Some evidence
effect shown in studies, with limitations
Limited evidence
few or weak studies
Traditional use
used, but hardly studied

The rating covers the research, not the therapist.

Therapists: Shiatsu

  • Marco Fischer

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    Praxis Marco Fischer

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    • 4.7(3)
    • Bern
    • Languages: de · en · fr
    Thai massageClassical massageShiatsu
    Price
    CHF 63–135
    Next appointment
    Available Thu, 15 Oct

  • Reto Huber

    Shiatsu Huber

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    • Winterthur
    • Languages: de
    Shiatsu
    EMR

  • Chiara Lepori

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    Studio Lepori

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    • Mendrisio
    Shiatsu
See all 6

Costs and health insurance

Basic insurance
usually not.
Supplementary insurance
often 50–80% with EMR- or ASCA-recognised therapists, often up to an annual maximum.
Your insurer
Each profile shows which insurers recognise the therapist.
Price per session
Practices set their own prices; you can see them in each profile.
Recognitions explained →

Good to know

  • Several sessions are often agreed, for example 5 to 10, one to three weeks apart.
  • Shiatsu does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment; have new or severe complaints checked by a doctor first.
  • If you have osteoporosis, thrombosis or a fresh injury, take blood thinners or are pregnant, mention it beforehand so the pressure can be adapted.

Training and recognition in Switzerland

Shiatsu is a method of complementary therapy recognised by OdA KT; there is a federal diploma for complementary therapists (Komplementärtherapeut:in mit eidg. Diplom). Supplementary insurers usually only contribute if the therapist is registered with EMR or ASCA.

Related methods