Shiatsu practitioner
Also known as: therapist of shiatsu massage, practitioner of shiatsu, shiatsu acupressurist, shiatsu therapist
About this occupation
Shiatsu practitioners provide health maintenance, health education, whole health evaluation and recommendations for wellbeing, and treatment of certain illness through energetic evaluation of the body's life energy system (Ki) and regulation of the life energy system through various energetic and manual techniques.
Essential skills and knowledge
- complementary and alternative medicine
- pathologies treated by acupuncture
- perform shiatsu massages
- human physiology
- communicate with customers
- observe healthcare users
- massage types
- apply context specific clinical competences
- follow-up on healthcare users' treatment
- empathise with the healthcare user
- promote mental health
- massage theory
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Physical Therapist Assistants (O*NET 31-2021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
- Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Writing
US median pay: US$68,380 a year (2025), 112,430 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.2)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.6)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Physical Therapist Aides
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Occupational Therapy Aides
- Psychiatric Technicians
- Respiratory Therapists
- Recreational Therapists
- Radiation Therapists
- Psychiatric Aides
- Medical Assistants
- Surgical Assistants
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.