Today I enjoying reading two studies in PubMed (from the Journal of Physical Therapy Science and the Journal of Holistic Nursing). Interested to know more about decreasing chronic back pain with Shiatsu?
These are studies where Shiatsu and acupressure are used as treatments to decrease the level of pain on lower back.
In the first study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11847714/ ) 66 individuals complaining of lower back pain were measured on state/trait anxiety and pain level before and after four shiatsu treatments. Each subject was then called 2 days following each treatment and asked to quantify the level of pain. Both pain and anxiety decreased significantly over time.
In the second study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5574337/) the subject presented a 20 year history of low back pain. The subject was treated for a total of three 90 minute sessions within 2 weeks. Traditional physical therapy was administered together with acupressure (acupoints LI 4, GB 30, GB 31, and GB 34). Each point was held for approximately one minute or until the patient related that tenderness had subsided, with multiple repetitions. The data indicated that integrating acupressure in physical therapy could reduce pain, increase function, and decrease disability.
Acupressure treatment has been introduced by physical therapists and other professions to treat LBP based on the beliefs of removing obstructions that block energy flow and relieving pain by improving circulation and nutrition.
