A deep mode of compressing muscles for release, to stimulate the chi and one's own self-healing energy. Shiatsu can be used in several ways. One is with deep finger pressure at isolated acupressure points, going strongly into the point itself. Another is with flat open-handed pressure, using the weight of the practitioner's body to compress the tissues of the meridians and muscles, giving an overall sense of relaxation. Both modes are equally effective, depending on the specific situation.