Other Massage Related Articles

Categories

Home / Blog / Shiatsu Training, Schools, and Careers

Shiatsu Training, Schools, and Careers

Learn About Shiatsu Massage Careers and Education

hand being massaged by woman

Based on traditional Chinese medicine, Shiatsu massage helps restore balance to the body’s natural energy flow.

Shiatsu training teaches practitioners how to use finger and palm pressure to stimulate acupuncture energetic pathways or meridians on the body.

In turn, patients experience relaxation, increased blood flow, decreased stress and improved overall wellness.

Career Overview

Shiatsu sessions typically begin with an evaluation of the patient’s condition based on an interview and observation. During Shiatsu massage therapy, the practitioner will apply finger, thumb or palm pressure in a continuous rhythmic sequence to specific areas of the patient’s body to relieve particular pain or health conditions.

Patients usually lie fully clothed on a low table or even on the floor, which allows therapists to use their own body to brace a patient during certain stretches.

Depending on the patient’s progress, the therapist might employ different techniques that are part of Shiatsu training, including tapping, squeezing, rubbing, and, of course, applied pressure.

Learn more about the various massage therapy specialties.

Training and Education

Traditional massage therapy schools and specialized Shiatsu massage schools offer Shiatsu training career programs as well as continuing education courses.

What You’ll Study in Shiatsu Massage School

In general, you can expect your Shiatsu massage therapy course work to cover these topics:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Chinese medicine
  • Meridian pathways and pressure points
  • Shiatsu massage techniques
  • Contraindications and diseases
  • Three main types of Shiatsu systems: Namikoshi, Anma and Zen
  • Shiatsu massage therapy ethics and business practices
  • Supervised clinical practicum

Average Length of Study

Depending on the program, career-oriented Shiatsu training involves from 300 to over 700 hours of combined classroom work and hands-on practice, which usually takes two to three years to complete.

Many Shiatsu massage schools offer evening and weekend training classes or intensives to provide greater flexibility for working students and students with families.

Average Tuition

Tuition for career Shiatsu training programs can range from $6,000 to over $12,000. Continuing education courses can cost just a few hundred dollars. Most Shiatsu massage schools offer financial aid to qualified applicants, as well as payment plans to help spread the cost over several months.

Shiatsu Massage Therapy Certification

Although no special certification requirements exist for Shiatsu massage therapists, practitioners must hold a current massage therapy license in order to practice.

Career Outlook

Massage-oriented professions like Shiatsu can anticipate a much faster than average increase (massage therapist job growth rests at 18.3%) in employment through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The increasing popularity of alternative medicine and touch therapies as paths to overall health and wellness are among the many factors that will contribute to the strong job growth rate for massage professions in the coming decade.

Shiatsu Massage Therapy Salary

According to the BLS, Shiatsu falls under massage therapy salaries. Your salary may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. Search salaries by state here:

Massage Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $55,310

Projected job growth: 18.3%

10th Percentile: $32,240

25th Percentile: $41,600

75th Percentile: $74,970

90th Percentile: $95,700

Projected job growth: 18.3%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $41,920 $20,870 $77,930
Alaska $88,830 $51,530 $163,240
Arizona $60,880 $36,000 $101,000
Arkansas $38,070 $23,890 $106,240
California $45,400 $32,240 $101,470
Colorado $56,110 $45,750 $82,070
Connecticut $59,890 $31,200 $89,730
Delaware N/A N/A N/A
District of Columbia $59,900 $50,650 $64,200
Florida $48,940 $32,110 $73,210
Georgia $58,100 $29,040 $104,000
Hawaii N/A N/A N/A
Idaho $68,960 $40,790 $82,250
Illinois $60,670 $29,500 $93,400
Indiana $58,300 $30,470 $80,900
Iowa $63,060 $40,420 $104,000
Kansas $48,120 $29,550 $77,650
Kentucky $63,780 $42,300 $90,150
Louisiana $62,870 $26,010 $77,480
Maine $52,000 $30,160 $90,480
Maryland $56,960 $35,550 $104,010
Massachusetts $61,280 $34,470 $101,170
Michigan $61,950 $34,070 $86,900
Minnesota $62,770 $45,900 $93,190
Mississippi $39,980 $24,980 $118,420
Missouri $52,770 $25,980 $104,000
Montana $59,400 $22,260 $82,840
Nebraska $59,910 $38,300 $91,150
Nevada $44,730 $23,800 $85,020
New Hampshire $72,960 $54,020 $101,370
New Jersey $56,380 $42,300 $124,880
New Mexico $62,470 $24,960 $96,920
New York $50,210 $35,450 $112,720
North Carolina $61,570 $36,720 $93,850
North Dakota $53,450 $28,060 $79,640
Ohio $51,100 $32,360 $74,540
Oklahoma $41,600 $28,410 $58,740
Oregon $82,170 $38,140 $98,880
Pennsylvania $56,780 $40,180 $79,070
Rhode Island $56,160 $45,760 $69,100
South Carolina $47,640 $21,160 $78,230
South Dakota $46,540 $37,100 $61,090
Tennessee $49,480 $25,570 $70,130
Texas $49,550 $27,110 $79,710
Utah $59,780 $32,930 $109,030
Vermont $94,620 $27,410 $119,790
Virginia $52,030 $29,490 $79,680
Washington $79,700 $56,860 $109,320
West Virginia $31,080 $24,950 $77,380
Wisconsin $55,950 $21,840 $88,400
Wyoming N/A N/A N/A

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Is a Medical Massage Therapy Career Right for You?

A Shiatsu career requires advanced training in anatomy, physiology, Chinese medicine, energetic pathways and Shiatsu massage techniques. Intuition, a long-term commitment to continuing education and an understanding of basic business concepts will help you build a successful Shiatsu massage therapy practice.

If you are interested in Shiatsu training, take a closer look at Shiatsu massage schools. Then choose the Shiatsu training program that meets your personal and professional needs.

Sources: International School of Shiatsu, Oregon School of Massage