Brief History of Massage Therapy

Massage, or body therapy as it is also known, is a natural instinct. The benefits of touch have, it seems, always been known to man and appear across all cultures right around the world.

India: Most records of massage in India speak of the sensuality of massage rather than the medical benefit. According to Hindu Tantra the Kundalini or life force originates at the base of the spine and is part of the interaction of cosmic forces of female and male energy. This area would be soothed and stimulated with a combination of massage, yogic positions and breathing exercises.

Greece: Ancient Greek physicians commonly prescribed massage as a remedy in conjunction with poultices, tonics, fresh air and a corrective diet. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, is known for his holistic approach to treatment. He recognised the benefits of massage for treating a wide range of ailments. His belief was that disease was caused naturally and so should be treated naturally.

Rome: The Romans were known to rub sore and tired muscles with warm oil after bathing and before enjoying a full body massage to stimulate the nervous system and ease the action of their joints. The idea of bathing and massage became widespread throughout the Roman Empire.

China: The Chinese are thought to have initiated the first formal examinations in massage. Medical students were examined in acupuncture, massage and treatment of disease. Formal qualifications were highly saught after and considered very prestigious.

Europe: Henrik Ling from Sweden lived between 1776 and 1839 and is known as the father of modern western massage. He developed a system which included gymnsastic movement with massage (this system is now what is known as Swedish massage). In Britain a society of trained massueses was formed in 1895 and in 1899 a massage department was instituted at St Georges hospital in London.

Today, modern massage has almost turned full circle, back to the teachings and holistic approach of the Chinese and the Ancient Greeks and utilising techniques from both the east and the west.

It is now widely recognised that almost everyone can benefit from therapeutic massage; from infants to the elderly, from athletes to the infirm.

Massage is known to provide relief from pain, anxiety, stress and even insomnia. It can be stimulating or soothing, it can provide a context for recovery by inducing a sense of well being.

Massage therapy is about trust, respect, connection and healing. It is a wonderful way to regain contact and control of your body, find relief and comfort from pain and maintain good health.

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