Exploring Shiatsu and Back Discomfort: What a Japanese Study Found

A group of researchers in Japan explored "Shiatsu for chronic lower back pain" in a hospital setting, in a randomised controlled study. Let’s take a look at what they found.

Many people experience ongoing back discomfort that affects their daily life. While standard care often includes medication, exercise, or physiotherapy, some are also curious about how complementary therapies like Shiatsu might support their well-being.

What Was the Study About?

The study took place at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo between 2015 and 2017. It involved 59 participants who had experienced chronic lower back pain for over 12 weeks.

Participants were randomly split into two groups:

• One group received standard medical care

• The other group received four weekly Shiatsu sessions in addition to standard care

The researchers didn’t aim to prove that Shiatsu could treat back pain. Instead, they wanted to see whether people might experience changes in comfort, mobility, or quality of life when Shiatsu was added to their usual care.

What Did They Observe about Shiatsu and back discomfort?

After eight weeks, the group who received Shiatsu reported:

• Greater improvements in daily functioning

• Slightly lower pain scores on a standard questionnaire

• An increase in overall quality of life scores

The researchers described these findings as encouraging but limited, and suggested that further research with larger groups would be valuable.

You can read the full study here: Kobayashi D et al. (2019). PubMed link

What Does This Mean for You?

While Shiatsu is not a medical treatment and doesn't claim to cure or diagnose any condition, many people find it helps them feel more relaxed, centred, and in touch with their body.

Many of my clients tried Shiatsu for back discomfort and they loved it.

Whether you're dealing with tension, stress, or general discomfort, Shiatsu offers a calm and compassionate space to reconnect with yourself.

Curious to Try Shiatsu for back discomfort?

If you’re exploring new ways to support your back discomfort and your well-being, you’re warmly welcome to experience a session at Shiatsu by Babs.

Book here or get in touch with any questions.

Disclaimer: This blog post shares information about a published research study for educational purposes. Shiatsu is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.