MSL / Knowledge base

Shibari safety — a summary of the key information

Consent, communication, preparation and responding to warning signs. A starting point for learning, not a guide to tying on your own.

I have been working with rope for many years, both in artistic and educational contexts. I wrote this text to organise knowledge about safety in shibari in a reliable, calm and, I hope, professional way.

This is a summary of the information I provide to workshop participants together with a physiotherapist.

Shibari is a form of bodywork that combines elements of aesthetics, trust, psychology and physical strain on the body.

It is not an activity free from risk.

It is an activity whose risks can be significantly reduced through knowledge, communication and attentiveness.

Risk scale

Based on my experience and my observations of the shibari community.

Most common effects

These are natural and usually temporary effects of working with rope:

rope marks
superficial abrasions
minor bruises
localised pressure
muscle tenderness the next day
temporary paraesthesia (tingling, numbness)

These are mechanical reactions of the skin and soft tissues to pressure. In most cases, they resolve on their own.

Moderate events

temporary weakening of grip strength
vasovagal reactions (sudden weakness, dizziness, fainting)
breathing discomfort in some positions

In workshop practice, these are “occasional” events, most often associated with:

holding a position for a long time or moving quickly into or out of a position, emotional tension, dehydration and fatigue.

Rare but serious

peripheral nerve damage
injuries from falls (in suspensions)
complications in people with comorbidities
long-lasting loss of sensation or strength
joint or tendon injuries

Neurological risk is considered the main serious danger in shibari. It occurs less frequently, but the consequences can be serious.

Neurological reactions

Numbness and tingling in the tied part of the body are very common.

They most often result from:

temporary restriction of blood flow
compression of soft tissues
keeping a limb in one position

If the symptom:

is diffuse
covers a larger area
subsides after changing position

It is most likely a circulatory response.

Symptoms requiring an immediate response

when numbness in the hand mainly affects the thumb and index finger
or the little and ring fingers
one hand responds noticeably differently from the other
there is difficulty abducting the thumb
there is difficulty extending the fingers or wrist
grip strength decreases noticeably
there is a loss of sensation in a clearly limited area of skin

This may indicate nerve compression. In such a situation, immediately relieve the pressure of the tie, adjust the tension or calmly untie.

Changes in skin colour and circulation

Pay attention to:

marked paleness — lack of blood flow
intense bluish discolouration — blood has reached the area and remains there
a mottled appearance of the skin
significant swelling — problematic

If the colour change persists after the pressure is relieved, it requires further observation.

Petechiae (small red spots under the skin) may appear with stronger pressure or in people with fragile blood vessels. They are usually superficial and resolve over time.

Rope burns

Rapid friction can cause superficial or deep damage to the skin.

They most often occur when:

the rope is moved abruptly under tension
someone is lowered quickly without controlling friction
synthetic ropes are used

Rope burns require dressing like other superficial skin injuries and avoiding further irritation.

Joints and tendons

Injuries most often occur around the wrists, shoulder joint and hamstring tendons.

Pay attention to:

pain around a joint
ropes placed on the wrists or behind the knees
a feeling of “pulling” deep in the wrist, shoulder or knee joint
stabbing pain in the shoulder
restricted movement after the tie is removed
clicking, instability or pain, most often around the shoulder, knee or hip

Holding the wrists in a strong flexion for a long time, sitting in seiza for too long or positioning the legs incorrectly in futomomo increases the strain on the joints and tendon structures.

Breathing

In shibari, restricted breathing is often the goal rather than an accident.

The difference between control and danger lies in observation:

the rhythm of breathing
the ability to take a deeper breath
the quality of speech

Unwanted discomfort may occur with:

strong tension in the bottom rope of chest ties
deep backbending with rotation
hyperextension of the neck in a hair tie

People with asthma should mention this before the session.

In the event of shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty speaking, the tie should be loosened immediately.

Fainting

It most often occurs with:

a sudden change of position
being brought quickly to a standing position
being lowered quickly
intense backbending
a room that is too stuffy

The mechanism is circulatory and most often does not pose a danger.

Response:

protect the head
calmly take the person down if they are in suspension
place them in a safe position and raise their legs
wait for stabilisation and untie slowly

Skin, scars and moles

Particular care is required around:

moles, scars and fresh tattoos
areas with thin skin

Pressure in these areas should be distributed over a wider area and controlled.

Do not tie over freshly tanned skin.

Vision and inverted positions

Head-down positions should not be used with people who have serious vision defects, retinal problems or increased intraocular pressure.

Inverted positions increase pressure inside the head and may lead to retinal detachment.

Emotions and psychological reactions

Shibari may trigger:

a sudden panic attack
intense fear
disorientation
a sudden emotional reaction

In such situations, the key responses are:

calm communication
reducing stimuli
gradually bringing the person out of the tie
stabilising their breathing

Emotional reactions are part of working with the nervous system.

They require regulation, not judgement.

Responsibility

Safety in shibari is shared.

The person tying is responsible for:

technique
controlling tension
observing the skin and its colour
monitoring breathing
responding to neurological symptoms
deciding to end the session
knowing the contraindications

The person being tied is responsible for:

honest information about their health
communicating symptoms without delay
respecting their own boundaries
not concealing pain or weakness

What really causes serious incidents

After years of working, I can say clearly that an injury in shibari is rarely caused by the rope alone.

The most common causes of problems are:

haste
ignoring signals
lack of communication
pressure to achieve a “visual effect”
fatigue
withholding health information
overconfidence

Human factors remain the greatest source of risk.

Shibari is always a collaboration between two people, not a one-sided activity.

With responsible practice, it rarely leads to serious consequences.

Safety with rope is about understanding and managing risk well.