Shiatsu vs. Acupuncture: What’s the Difference?

Shiatsu and acupuncture are often grouped together as energetic healing modalities, but they work very differently in practice.

In this episode, Kelle Sparta breaks down the differences between Shiatsu and acupuncture, including how each modality approaches energy flow, physical tension, stress, and healing within the body.

This conversation explores:

• the foundational principles behind each practice
• pressure work versus needles
• how energy pathways are approached differently
• what sessions typically feel like
• why some people respond better to one modality than the other
• the relationship between physical tension and energetic imbalance

Kelle also discusses how both systems aim to support balance and regulation rather than simply treating symptoms in isolation.

Because healing modalities are not one-size-fits-all.

Different bodies — and different nervous systems — respond to different approaches.