Shiatsu is a manipulative therapy developed in Japan incorporating techniques of Anma (Japanese traditional massage), acupressure, stretching, and Western massage. Shiatsu involves applying pressure to special points or areas on the body in order to maintain physical and mental well being, treat disease, or alleviate discomfort. This therapy is considered holistic because it treats the whole person instead of a specific medical complaint. All types of acupressure generally focus on the same pressure points and energy pathways, but may differ in terms of massage technique. Shiatsu, which can be translated as finger pressure, has been described as needle-free acupuncture.