Have you ever wondered if there is a simple and natural way to heal yourself from various ailments, such as pain, stress, fatigue, or anxiety? If so, you might be interested in learning about Jin Shin Jyutsu, an ancient Japanese healing art that uses gentle touch and minimal pressure to unblock energy flows throughout the body. In this blog post, we will explore what Jin Shin Jyutsu is, how it works, and what the scientific evidence says about its effectiveness.
What is Jin Shin Jyutsu massage?
Jin Shin Jyutsu (last word is pronounced “jitsu”) is a healing art that facilitates the flow of energy in the body. It is based on the premise that the cause of all illness—mental, emotional, and physical—is a blockage in the flow of energy.
Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioners use their hands to apply light touch over 26 specific points on the body, called Safety Energy Locks (SELs), which correspond to different organs, functions, and emotions. By holding these points in various combinations, they aim to restore the balance and harmony of the energy system.
Jin Shin Jyutsu can be practiced by anyone, as it does not require any special training or equipment. It can also be done as a self-care technique, by placing one’s own hands on the SELs according to the needs of the moment.
Jin Shin Jyutsu has been found to have various benefits for physical, mental, and emotional health. Some of the reported benefits include relaxation and stress relief, pain reduction, improved sleep quality, enhanced immune function, increased vitality, and emotional well-being.
Jin Shin Jyutsu has also been used as a complementary therapy for various chronic conditions, such as cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, and depression. It can help to alleviate the symptoms and side effects of these conditions, as well as support the body’s natural healing capacity.
Does Jin Shin Jyutsu really work?
While Jin Shin Jyutsu has been practiced for thousands of years in Japan and other parts of Asia, it is relatively new to the Western world. Therefore, there is not a lot of scientific research on its efficacy compared to other more established modalities. However, there are some studies that have investigated its effects on various health outcomes using randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are considered the gold standard of evidence-based medicine.
Here are some of the main findings from these RCTs:
- A randomized controlled study with 41 nurses found that Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help reduced their personal stress and increased their caring efficacy. The 41 nurses were divided into two groups. One group (‘the education group’) was taught Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help. They learned how to apply pressure to specific points on their body, called Safety Energy Locations, to harmonize different aspects of their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They also received a booklet and a laminated card with instructions and illustrations of the self-help sequences. The other group went about their usual duties.
Both groups completed surveys at baseline, after the education session (or equivalent time for the control group), and 30 to 40 days later. The surveys measured their personal stress using the POQA-R4, which assesses four dimensions: emotional vitality, emotional stress, psychological distress, and organizational stress. The nurses who learned how to do Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help felt less stressed after the training and still felt less stressed after a month or so. The nurses who did not learn Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help did not feel less stressed after the same time period. They felt the same or more stressed than before.
- Another randomized controlled study with 29 women diagnosed with breast cancer evaluated the effectiveness of 10 weekly treatments of Jin Shin Jyutsu by a qualified practitioner. The sessions were individualized based on the needs and preferences of the participants. The participants were also taught some self-help techniques that they could practice at home. Some of the participants’ goals were:
- To reduce pain, fatigue, or nausea
- To improve sleep quality or mood
- To enhance well-being or relaxation
- To cope better with stress or emotions
- To increase energy or vitality
- To support immune system or healing process
The results showed that 93% of the women in the Jin Shin Jyutsu group said that their goals had been met after the 10 sessions. They also expressed positive feedback about the intervention, such as feeling more calm, peaceful, hopeful, and connected.
- A randomized controlled trial with 159 patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) compared the effects of Jin Shin Jyutsu, Healing Touch, or usual care on pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and mood. The Jin Shin Jyutsu group received three 30-minute sessions of Jin Shin Jyutsu by a certified practitioner during the first week of hospitalization, while the Healing Touch group received three 30-minute sessions of Healing Touch by a certified practitioner during the first week of hospitalization.
The results showed that Jin Shin Jyutsu and Healing Touch were associated with significant improvements in pain, nausea, fatigue, and mood compared to usual care. The effect sizes of the interventions were moderate to large for pain, nausea, fatigue, and mood. This means that the touch techniques had a noticeable and meaningful impact on these symptoms for the patients who received them.
- A randomized controlled trial with 26 patients with chronic low back pain evaluated the efficacy of Jin Shin Jyutsu as an adjunct to standard physical therapy. The researchers recruited 26 patients who had chronic low back pain for more than 3 months and were receiving standard physical therapy at a hospital in California, USA. The Jin Shin Jyutsu group received 8 weekly sessions of Jin Shin Jyutsu by a certified practitioner, each lasting about an hour. The control group received no intervention other than the standard physical therapy for chronic low back pain patients.
The results showed that Jin Shin Jyutsu plus physical therapy was more effective than physical therapy alone in reducing pain intensity, disability, and depression after 8 weeks of treatment. This means that the patients who received both treatments felt less pain, had less difficulty in doing their daily activities, and felt less sad or hopeless than the patients who only received physical therapy. The effect sizes of the intervention were large for pain intensity and disability, and moderate for depression. This means that the intervention had a noticeable and meaningful impact on these outcomes for the patients who received it.
The differences between the groups were statistically significant for pain intensity, disability, and depression. This means that the results were unlikely to be due to chance or random variation. The results suggest that Jin Shin Jyutsu is a safe and effective complementary therapy for chronic low back pain patients that can enhance the benefits of standard physical therapy and improve their quality of life.
- A randomized controlled trial with 30 patients with fibromyalgia assessed the effects of Jin Shin Jyutsu and moxibustion on pain, sleep quality, and quality of life. The participants were divided into the Jin Shin Jyutsu group. the moxibustion group and the control group. The Jin Shin Jyutsu group received 8 weekly sessions of Jin Shin Jyutsu by a certified practitioner, each lasting about an hour. The acupuncture and moxibustion group received 8 weekly sessions of Japanese style acupuncture and moxibustion by a licensed acupuncturist, each lasting about an hour. The control group received no additional treatment.
The results showed that Jin Shin Jyutsu significantly improved pain, sleep quality, and quality of life compared to a control group after 8 weeks of intervention. This means that the patients who received Jin Shin Jyutsu felt less pain, slept better, and had a higher quality of life than the patients who did not receive any intervention. Acupuncture and moxibustion also significantly improved pain intensity, sleep quality, and quality of life compared to the control group after 8 weeks of intervention. There was no significant difference between Jin Shin Jyutsu and acupuncture and moxibustion in terms of pain intensity, sleep quality, and quality of life after 8 weeks of intervention, which means that both interventions were equally effective in improving these outcomes for fibromyalgia patients. The effect sizes of the interventions were large for pain intensity, moderate for sleep quality, and small for quality of life. This means that the interventions had a noticeable and meaningful impact on these outcomes for fibromyalgia patients.
These studies suggest that Jin Shin Jyutsu can have positive effects on various aspects of health and well-being, especially when combined with other forms of treatment. However, more research is needed to confirm its long-term benefits, optimal dosage, and mechanisms of action.
Conclusion
Jin Shin Jyutsu is a simple yet profound way of accessing the wisdom and intelligence of the body. By listening to the body’s signals and messages, one can learn to heal oneself and others from within. Jin Shin Jyutsu is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment, but rather a holistic approach that works in harmony with it. It does not diagnose or treat specific diseases, but rather addresses the underlying energetic imbalances that may contribute to them.
If you are interested in trying Jin Shin Jyutsu for yourself, you can contact us for therapy sessions. We also incorporate Jin Shin Jyutsu into our singing lessons in the form of Jin Shin Voice, where you can experience the benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu and singing. Join us mailing list and subscribe to our social media to learn some self-help techniques. Our online course platform will be available soon to bring our knowledge to you, anywhere in the world. However, nothing beats receiving a session from a trained professional who can tailor the treatment to your individual needs and preferences.
Jin Shin Jyutsu is a gentle and non-invasive way to enhance your health and happiness. Why not give it a try and see for yourself? You might be surprised by the results!