Shiatsu is a form of therapy based on ideas of traditional Japanese therapy. Shiatsu is best described as a form of manipulation by thumbs, fingers, and palms without the use of instruments to apply pressure to the human skin to correct internal malfunctions, promote and maintain health, and treat specific diseases. The techniques used in shiatsu include stretching, holding, and most commonly, leaning body weight into various points along key channels, or meridians. To be a therapist, one must acquire a knowledge of the human anatomy, physiology and the pressure points known as "tsubo". A therapist must know exactly where each tsubo is, what organ it directly leads to and what frequency of pressure to apply.