Shiatsu became widely recognized in Japan as a therapeutic approach to manual therapy.  “Shiatsu” is a Japanese word which literally translates as “finger pressure.”  Shiatsu continues to evolve with various approaches to incorporating traditional Japanese manual therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and western anatomy and physiology.

Presently, the AOBTA® acknowledges six specific Forms of shiatsu, which all meet the national education requirements for the AOBTA®’s  practitioner level in Asian Bodywork Therapy. In Minnesota four of these forms are practiced. These are:  Japanese Shiatsu, Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu, Shiatsu-Anma and Zen Shiatsu.  Other forms of shiatsu may be recognized by the AOBTA® in the future.