Shiatsu definition
The word Shiatsu literally means "pressure with the fingers": shi=finger, atsu=pressure.
The Japanese Ministry of Health defines it as follows:
"treatment which, by applying pressures with the fingers and palm of the hand on certain points of the body corrects imbalances, improves and maintains health, helps relieve various ailments, and activates the body's self-healing abilities. It has no side effects."
Shiatsu considers the human being always in its integrity and uniqueness and is directed to the general rebalancing of the person and his total well-being. Its action has an effect not only at the physical level but also at the psychic, energetic and emotional level.