Zen Shiatsu, established by a Shizuto Masunaga, is a form of bodywork administered by thumbs, fingers, palms and elbows, feet and knees. Its success depends on the meditative activity of the practitioner, aimed at detecting the body responses to the treatment. Pressure is applied to all parts of the body along specific pathways (meridians) that are used in traditional Chinese medicine for acupuncture, though modified and extended by Masunaga Meridians. It is understood that this technique stimulates the natural healing powers of the body, wherefore symptoms of disease lessen and vitality is regained.
(Source: Institute for Traditional Medicine, www.itmonline.org)