We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Training

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Where do I Learn Shiatsu Massage?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 02, 2024
Views: 10,926
Share

There are several ways to learn shiatsu massage, depending on the level of facility one wishes to achieve as a practitioner of shiatsu. Full professional programs can take as long as three years, while weekend courses can offer a quick orientation in the basics of shiatsu massage, along with a few simple skills. As with any massage style, people should plan on receiving several shiatsu massages before they start to study this style, to determine whether or not it is an approach to massage which works for them.

Shiatsu is a style of massage which originated in Japan in the 1800s. It is derived from older massage traditions rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. During a shiatsu session, the practitioner uses targeted pressure with the fingers, palms, and sometimes elbows to stimulate specific pressure points on the body for the purpose of releasing pain and intense emotions, and contributing to general physical health. In Japan, shiatsu is a recognized and highly respected form of medical therapy; the Japanese government both encourages citizens to receive shiatsu, and licenses and certifies practitioners. People who learn shiatsu massage can be trained by professionals who are steeped in healing traditions which are hundreds of years old.

A traditional professional program in shiatsu lasts three years, and only a handful of massage schools around the world offer this level of training to people who want to learn shiatsu massage. The instructors are usually from Japan or from schools certified in the Japanese tradition, and they cover a wide range of topics including anatomy, pressure points, and ethics in massage. Schools in Japan offer some of the best instruction, although students will be expected to know Japanese. After completing a professional program, students can apply for licensure from the Japanese government if they have studied in Japan, or a professional certification from a massage organization in other countries.

It is also possible to learn shiatsu massage in an apprenticeship with an experienced practitioner. Many practitioners in Japan offer this service, and they may provide instruction in English or other languages to Westerners. It is also possible to find this type of learning environment outside of Japan, although students should take care to select a fully trained and licensed teacher. A reputable shiatsu practitioner will happily provide information about where he or she trained and for how long.

Finally, many massage schools offer a shiatsu program in which students can learn shiatsu massage in a weekend intensive or longer course. These types of programs are aimed at people who have already trained as massage therapists, and wish to expand their repertoire with shiatsu. They do not offer professional-level certification to people who wish to work as shiatsu practitioners, although many massage therapists who graduate from such programs do advertise “shiatsu massage” as part of their offerings.

Share
Practical Adult Insights is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a Practical Adult Insights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/where-do-i-learn-shiatsu-massage.htm
Copy this link
Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.