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Step 1
Understand the difference between shiatsu and other forms of deep tissue massage therapy before making an appointment for either. Both forms of body work get into the deeper layers of muscle. A deep tissue massage may be painful until stress pockets can be smoothed out, but shiatsu should not produce pain.
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Step 2
Contact the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia for the name of a licensed shiatsu massage therapist in your area. Licensed therapists must have graduated from a program of study accredited by the Commission for Massage Therapy Accreditation/Approval in the United States. The program involves 500 hours training and the student must also pass a standardized exam from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
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Step 3
Check with your state licensing agency for any disciplinary issues with a potential shiatsu massage therapist. They keep a list of all bodywork therapists and can alert you to any scam artists.
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Step 4
Get shiatsu massage from a massage school. Most have internships that allow students to work on members of the public as part of the hands-on educational requirement. It's an affordable way to experience this form of bodywork and lets you decide if you wish to seek an alternative type of massage therapy.
