Shiatsu Drug Interactions, Uses, Side Effects & More

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Shiatsu

0 medications have a known interaction with Shiatsu, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Shiatsu. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Shiatsu combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Monograph

Shiatsu: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage and bodywork, not a herb or dietary supplement, so it is not something you swallow. Many people find it relaxing and helpful for stress and muscle tension, but high-quality research on its health benefits is limited. It is generally low-risk for most people when done by a trained practitioner, but talk with your doctor first if you have a medical condition.

Part used: Not applicable — Shiatsu is a hands-on therapy, not a plant or supplement
Common forms: In-person bodywork sessions performed by a trained practitioner

People commonly use it for

Stress and relaxation
Muscle tension and stiffness
Low back and neck pain
Headaches
General well-being
Sleep problems

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally low-risk when performed by a trained practitioner, but not suitable for everyone.

PregnancyPossibly Safe

When used appropriately. Shiatsu massage has been safely received by those who are pregnant without reports of serious adverse effects.

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingPossibly Safe

When used appropriately. Shiatsu massage has been safely received by those who are pregnant without reports of serious adverse effects.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Shiatsu is a form of hands-on bodywork that comes from Japan. The name means "finger pressure." A practitioner uses their fingers, thumbs, palms, and sometimes elbows or knees to press and stretch parts of the body.

Unlike most topics on this site, Shiatsu is not a plant, herb, or dietary supplement. There is nothing to eat, drink, or take as a capsule. It is a manual therapy, much like other types of massage.

Shiatsu is based on traditional ideas about energy (sometimes called "qi" or "ki") flowing through the body along pathways. Practitioners aim to support relaxation and balance by applying pressure to specific points. People commonly try it for stress relief, muscle tension, and overall well-being.

How it works

Traditional Shiatsu theory says that pressing on certain points helps restore the smooth flow of energy through the body. This idea comes from East Asian medicine and has not been proven by modern science.

From a more conventional view, the pressure and stretching used in Shiatsu may help muscles relax, ease tension, and trigger the body's relaxation response. Gentle, calming touch can lower the feeling of stress for some people. These are proposed explanations, and the exact effects on the body are not fully understood.

Effectiveness

Does Shiatsu work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 7 uses evaluated

1 Possibly effective 6 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

Possibly Effective Parturition