"Shiatsu is a holistic healing art developed in Japan and based on traditional 3500-year-old oriental medical wisdom while incorporating the principles of anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Like most natural therapies, Shiatsu is based on the assumption that the body is a self-healing organism, and that the role of the practitioner is to aid and support that naturally occurring process. Shiatsu can assist an individual with their self-development and self-healing; balancing the underlying causes of a condition and addressing physical and psychological functions; promoting health and strengthening the body’s own healing abilities.

Although the word Shiatsu translates literally from the Japanese as ‘finger pressure’, in practice, the thumbs, palms, elbows, knees and feet are used to apply pressure to various parts of the body. Pressure can be gentle or firm, depending on the condition being treated.

Treatment may also include the use of flowing stretches and gentle rotations of the limbs and joints, simple structural alignments and muscle release techniques. On a physical level this has the effect of stimulating circulation and the flow of lymphatic fluid. It also works on the autonomic nervous system; helps to release toxins and deep-seated tension from the muscles, and can also stimulate the hormonal system. On a subtler level Shiatsu allows the receiver to deeply relax, stimulating the body’s inherent ability for self healing and regeneration.

The person receiving Shiatsu remains clothed, or is covered by a sheet."

Quoted from http://www.staa.org.au