Jin Shin Jyutsu – an ancient form of “touch therapy” similar to acupuncture – has been found to significantly reduce pain, nausea and other side effects from cancer treatment.
Researchers from the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center found that patients reported significant improvements after just one session. During a Jin Shin Jyutsu session, patients receive light touches on 52 specific “energy points” on the body -- including fingers, toes, arms and legs -- in predetermined orders known as "flows."
"I was pleased to see quantitatively the improvements that patients noted in these primary areas of discomfort," said Jennifer Bradley, a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner at the Markey Center who led the study.
"It was interesting to note that regardless of age, sex or diagnosis, cancer patients received a statistically significant improvement in the side effects from treatment. It is encouraging to note that Jin Shin Jyutsu made improvements in these areas without adding additional unwanted effects that so often occur with medication interventions."
Bradley’s study involved 159 cancer patients treated with touch therapy. Before and after each session, Bradley asked patients to assess their symptoms of pain, stress and nausea on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 representing no symptoms. She found patients reported significant improvements in pain, stress, and nausea after even one session.
"The American Cancer Society has noted that quality of life is an issue for all cancer patients; those undergoing treatment, late stage patients, and cancer survivors," Bradley said. "From what I have seen in my office and the results shown in the study, I believe that Jin Shin Jyutsu has great promise in this area."