Shiatsu Massage in Manchester
0 therapists · Greater Manchester
Japanese finger pressure along the meridians, clothed and without oil. Manchester is the busiest massage market in the north and the one where sports and deep tissue work dominate.
No shiatsu massage in Manchester yet
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What is shiatsu massage?
Shiatsu is a Japanese therapy rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. The name means finger pressure, and that is the core of it: the practitioner uses thumbs, palms, elbows and sometimes knees to apply sustained pressure along the meridians, the channels through which energy (ki) is understood to flow, together with gentle stretches and rotations of the joints.
It is given on a futon on the floor with the client in loose clothing and no oil, and it feels quite unlike Western massage: slower, more deliberate, with long holds rather than strokes. Practitioners work with the whole body and will often begin by feeling the abdomen (hara) to decide where to focus.
People come to shiatsu for stress, fatigue, back and neck pain, digestive and menstrual problems, and for its calming effect on the mind. Sessions last around 60 minutes. Practitioners registered with the Shiatsu Society have completed a three-year training, and it is worth looking for that on the profile.
Read the full guide to shiatsu massage — what it involves, who it suits and what it costs. Also known as shiatsu therapy, Japanese pressure point massage and acupressure massage.
Where to find it in Manchester
The City Centre and Deansgate cluster around the office towers and the hotels, with a lunchtime trade in thirty-minute back treatments and an evening one in deep tissue for the gym crowd. The Northern Quarter is where the independent therapists and the Thai studios concentrate, and where hot stone, aromatherapy and holistic sessions are easiest to find. Salford Quays serves the media and business crowd at MediaCityUK, mostly by mobile appointment to hotels and offices, while Didsbury is residential, quieter and books further ahead.
More on massage in Manchester as a whole — areas, pricing and how booking works locally.
The areas with most availability across all treatments are City Centre, Northern Quarter, Salford Quays and Didsbury. Browse everything in Manchester.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear for shiatsu?
Loose, comfortable clothing that covers arms and legs, such as a long-sleeved top and soft trousers. No oil is used and you remain clothed throughout.
How does shiatsu differ from acupuncture?
Both work on the same meridian system, but shiatsu uses pressure from the hands where acupuncture uses fine needles. Many people who dislike needles choose shiatsu for the same complaints.
How much does a shiatsu session cost?
Between £45 and £75 for an hour. Registered practitioners with a full three-year training tend to sit at the upper end.