Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage. It involves using the fingers and palm of the hand to apply pressure to specific points on the body. Over the years, different types of shiatsu have been developed. Meridian shiatsu, for example, focuses on the meridians used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, meridians are invisible lines on the body that are thought to carry energy.
Shiatsu is used for pain, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Shiatsu was developed by Tokujiro Namikoshi, who founded the Japan Shiatsu College in 1940. He is famous for providing shiatsu treatments to celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe.
Modern day practitioners of shiatsu are known as "Shiatsupractors." However, official recognition and licensure standards, when they exist, are inconsistent and differ significantly depending on the state or country.
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