He was also interested in making Shiatsu an official method of therapy and due to his great success on various celebrities and high ranked people, he became one of those who had great influence on getting the treatment officially recognized. This led to an official regulation of Shiatsu as practitioners were bound to pass a test and have lots of experience before being able to legally open their practice.

When he reached the US, he met the founder of Chiropractic, B.J. Palmer and developed a good relationship. His son, Toru Namikoshi Sensei studied Chiropractic for 8 years and wrote many papers comparing Shiatsu with Chiropractic. He also developed his father’s technique of Shiatsu even further based on modern medical knowledge that he acquired in the US.

Another important name in Shiatsu development was Shizuto Masunaga who wanted to create a more traditional style of Shiatsu that used the Five Element theory and the energy meridians. But what was really important about his approach was the fact that he was interested in psychology, especially western psychology.

He actually became a psychology professor at the Tokyo University and did great research on the topic, especially in relation with Shiatsu. He was very interested in the connection between Shiatsu and emotional or psychological factors but also wanted to have a more spiritual approach to his therapy.

This lead to what was called Zen Shiatsu, a method that is most beneficial for those seeking emotional comfort and emotional balance, but also a great way for those trying to find a certain course in their life.

Nowadays, Shiatsu has managed to see many developments and great changes, when it comes to both government regulations and the public view. In Japan, the Ministry of Health authorizes it as alternative therapy along with various Chinese alternative therapies which has led the public to believe that Shiatsu is a form of Chinese Medicine.

One of the struggles of Shiatsu practitioners in Japan is getting rid of this prejudice that Shiatsu belongs to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although it has some roots in Chinese Medicine, it has been completely developed in Japan and its first practitioners were all Japanese.

to be continued,

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