Shiatsu Vs Swedish Massage [Technique, Benefits, Cost, Purpose]

Shiatsu and Swedish massage are both massage techniques that can be used to help boost your immune system, relax your muscles, and stretch your body, but they have different focuses and goals.

The Key Difference between Shiatsu and Swedish Massages:

Shiatsu is a Chinese massage technique that originated in Japan, Shiatsu massage focuses on pressure points and meridian points in the body to help it heal. Whereas Swedish massage is a Western technique that focuses on your muscles and specific muscle spasms and problems.

In this article, we will focus on the techniques, benefits, and purposes of Shiatsu and Swedish massage to help you determine which technique is best for you and your needs.

Swedish Vs Shiatsu Massage [Comparison of Key Features]

1. Technique

Shiatsu Massage is a type of Japanese massage that balances energy and activates the body’s natural healing processes by applying pressure to acupuncture points and meridian lines.

Shiatsu massage balances qi while stimulating the body’s energy pathways with focused pressure. Shiatsu practitioners assess the body’s meridians and apply pressure to specific body sites, such as the back’s parallel-to-the-spine shu points. These points are where Shiatsu massage starts since they are where the body’s meridians are connected.

Swedish massage is a Western technique that works the muscles and encourages relaxation by using long movements kneading, and friction. Swedish massage encourages relaxation by using a more fluid, rhythmic touch.

Swedish massage practitioners build their knowledge of massage on the traditional human anatomy, identifying the starting point and insertion of muscles and understanding joint motion.

2. Convenience

2. Can you perform swedish and used in Shiats massages at home

Shiatsu is performed on a mat on the floor, compared to Swedish massage, often performed on a massage table.

Shiatsu is performed wearing light clothing, making it a suitable choice for shy people who do not want their bare skin touched by the therapist. It is best to have this treatment done in a practitioner’s room.

On the other hand, Swedish is done while the client is lying on a massage bed wearing their underwear. Oil is applied to the skin and can be done in the comfort of your home or in a massage parlor or spa.

3. Purpose and Benefits

3. Benefits of Shiatsu vs swedish massage

Both Shiatsu and Swedish massage can help promote sleep and reduce pain and inflammation in your body. If you suffer from Insomnia, Shiatsu is a better treatment option to help you better your sleep patterns.

Regarding pain and inflammation, Swedish massage is the better option because muscle manipulation during your session will help promote muscle recovery and reduce your pain.

Because Shiatsu is part of the Chinese Medicine umbrella, the primary purpose of this technique is to help balance your body’s energy flow. This will help promote self-healing and ensure your body is in a state of Homeostasis and balance.

The primary purpose of a Swedish massage is to release endorphins into the body to make the person feel relaxed and happy. Most people that get Swedish massages immediately feel better following their treatment. It does not focus on a specific ailment but rather helps the body recover from muscle pain, stiffness, and fatigue.

Conditions where Shiatsu can help	Conditions where Swedish can help
Arthritis Digestion problems Stress and anxiety Menstrual pain Fatigue Insomnia	Chronic pain Chronic headaches/ migraines Insomnia Fibromyalgia

Benefits of Shiatsu Vs Swedish

Benefits of Shiatsu	Benefits of Swedish
Removes toxins from the body. Removes blockages in your meridians Promotes muscle recovery Boosts your immune system.	Increases the happy hormones in your body, Endorphins. Increases relaxation Reduces scar tissue in the muscles Helps muscles recover faster

4. The Price

Shiatsu massages can cost anything from $94 to $210 per hour. A session that lasts longer than an hour will cost extra. You should not have a session longer than 90 minutes as it can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and dehydration.

On the other hand, a Swedish massage can cost you between $ 40 to over $ 100 per hour. Most spas will offer you a package deal that allows you to pay for more than one treatment at a time at a discounted price.

5. Frequency

I recommended that my clients have a Shiatsu massage once a week until the blockages have been released. Once the body is functioning at its best, a maintenance program is recommended, consisting of a monthly Shiatsu massage.

I often recommend to my clients to have a Swedish massage once a week or once every two weeks to help keep their pain and discomfort at bay. Swedish massage can be done more than once a week in severe cases, as the treatment does not apply a lot of pressure to the muscles.

6. The Aftercare

The essential aftercare for all massage treatments is relatively simple. Drink a glass of water after your massage so that you do not get a headache, take it easy for the rest of the day and stretch after your massage. With that being said, there are a few aftercare tips you should keep in mind for Shiatsu and Swedish massage.

Do not drink caffeine or alcohol after Shiatsu massage. Shiatsu detoxes your body, so by adding toxins to your body, you can get a headache, feel sick and get fatigued for the next couple of days after your treatment.

Swedish massage relaxes your mind, body, and soul, you need to try to avoid exercise for 48 hours to avoid injury to your muscles. An Epsom salt bath can help relax your muscles further. I recommend the salt bath because the Magnesium in the salt helps to relax your muscles further. Remember to drink a glass of water after your bath.

Which Is Better Shiatsu Or Swedish Massage?

Shiatsu massage frequently aids in treating ailments whose causes are unknown to conventional medicine. Shiatsu massage uses a natural method to heal the body and mind, making it appropriate for people with special needs, people with disabilities, pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.

As a qualified practitioner, I frequently advise Shiatsu to clients who battle persistent headaches and lethargy following an illness like the flu. The procedure aids in clearing the meridians, which improves lymphatic and blood flow. As a result, they will take longer to recuperate, but they will also feel refreshed.

Generally speaking, Swedish massages benefit those with muscle tension, soreness, or stiffness. A Swedish massage may help those with arthritis, poor circulation, and persistent muscle pain.

Most people who undergo Swedish massages report feeling better immediately because endorphins, which circulate into the body to calm and uplift the person, are supposed to do so. Although popular, this type of massage does not focus on specific diseases.