Tsubo Shiatsu

Tsubo Shiatsu is a derivative form of the Japanese therapy Shiatsu. In about 1980, Hiroshi Ishizuka, M.D., current principal of the Japan Shiatsu College (and former professor at University of Tokushima in Japan), proposed the theory that the tsubo or Acupuncture points are derived from anatomically and physiologically referenced points and represent the body’s physical expression of its current condition (pathological or otherwise) or of changing homeostasis in the body. These pathological reflex points are called aze no tsubo in Japanese.

In 2003, “Tsubo Shiatsu” by Kiyoshi Ikenaga (chairperson and CEO of the Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy) was published in North America. Following the basic Shiatsu founded by Tokujiro Namikoshi, the distinguishing feature of Tsubo Shiatsu is the expectation that in every treatment the therapist will find and treat, using the thumbs and palms, these pathological reflex points.

Tsubo Shiatsu is contrasted with other derivative shiatsu forms such as Zen Shiatsu and Meridian Shiatsu.