Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• Acupoints stimulation, acupressure point K-D2, acustimulation, aromatic acupressure, Asian bodywork therapy, auricular acupressure, automated massage chair, barefoot shiatsu, Bodymind Acupressure™, finger acupressure, five element shiatsu, G-Jo acupressure, high touch acupressure, integrative eclectic shiatsu, Japanese shiatsu (aka Nippon shiatsu or Namikoshi shiatsu), Jin Shin acupressure, Jin Shin acutouch, Jin Shin Do®, Ki-shiatsu®, Korean hand acupressure, Korean hand acupressure point K-D2, macrobiotic shiatsu, Namikoshi shiatsu, nei-guan, neikuan, Nippon shiatsu, ohashiatsu, Oriental bodywork therapy, P6, P-6, Sea-Band®, seitei shiatsu, shiatsu anma therapy, Tao shiatsu, Tapas Acupressure Technique™, traditional Chinese medicine, tui na, tuina (tui na), tuina massotherapy, vaginal acupressure, Watsu™, Wu Shu, zen shiatsu.
• Not included in this review: Acupuncture, acutherapy, AMMA® Therapy, ampaku, Ampuku® therapy, anma (aka Amma), anmo (aka An-mo or An Mo), Ayurvedic (Marma) massage therapy, Chi Nei Tsang, Chinese reflexology, Hoshino Therapy®, Indian head massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu®, Kerala Kalari Massage, Okazaki restorative massage, point holding, Qi Gong Massage, SHEN® Therapy, Taoist pressing point massage, Tibetan massage (Ku Nye), Tibetan pulsing, and traditional Thai massage (aka Nuad Bo Rarn).

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• The practice of acupressure originated in traditional Asian medicine 5,000 years ago, predating the practice of acupuncture. Acupressure works with the same body points and meridians as acupuncture, but stimulates the sites with finger pressure rather than by fine needles. Traditionally, acupressure is directed to 14 meridians and 2,000 specific charted points all over the body. Today, acupressure is used in the prevention and treatment of many illnesses of both mind and body.
• Shiatsu means finger (shi) pressure (atsu) in Japanese. Shiatsu technique involves finger pressure at acupoints and along body meridians. It can incorporate palm pressure, stretching, and other manual techniques. Shiatsu practitioners commonly treat musculoskeletal and psychological conditions, including neck, shoulder, and lower back problems, arthritis, depression, and anxiety. Tuina (Chinese for "pushing and pulling") is similar to shiatsu but with more soft-tissue manipulation and structural realignment, via pressing, tapping, or kneading. Tuina is a common form of Asian bodywork used in Chinese-American communities.
• There is strong scientific evidence in support of acupressure's efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acute nausea of diverse etiology in both adult and pediatric populations: postoperative, intraoperative, chemotherapy-induced, and pregnancy-related (morning sickness).
• There is promising early evidence for the use of acupressure in the improvement of sleep and exercise performance, and in the treatment of pain (lower back and postoperative), headaches, paralysis (poststroke), pediatric enuresis, pediatric epilepsy, cerebral birth injuries in infants, menstrual concerns, respiratory disorders, and Parkinson's Disease. Although evidence is currently inconclusive, research suggests that acupressure may not be effective in the direct treatment of obesity, but may help to maintain weight loss.
• Further content available for subscribers only.

Dosing/Toxicology

• Content available for subscribers only.

Precautions/Contraindications

• Content available for subscribers only.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

• Content available for subscribers only.

Mechanism of Action

• Content available for subscribers only.

History

• Content available for subscribers only.

Evidence Table

• Content available for subscribers only.

Evidence Discussion

• Content available for subscribers only.

Products Studied

• Content available for subscribers only.

Author Information

• Content available for subscribers only.

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

• Content available for subscribers only.