Book excerpt: Beginner's Guide to Shiatsu is a concise guide to the basics of shiatsu - Japanese "finger-pressure" (also called acupressure massage.) It clearly explains what shiatsu is and how it can be used. Shiatsu is an Asian technique of healing and relaxation that has been successfully used for centuries. Based on the idea that channels of energy flow through the body, shiatsu was developed to keep these pathways flowing freely to maintain maximum health. Using easy-to-follow illustrations, the author shows you how to relieve headaches, back pain, stress, and other common ailments. In addition, he provides a simple system of diagnosing possible organ problems, and offers nutritional guidelines based on the macrobiotic diet.