Massage through the Ages

Massage can be traced as far back as 3000 BC. The earliest written records of massage therapy were discovered in Egypt and China. Tomb paintings in Egypt depict individuals being kneaded by others. In China, a Chinese book from 2,700 B.C. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, recommends "breathing exercises, massage of skin and flesh, and exercises of hands and feet" as the appropriate treatment for "complete paralysis, chills, and fever."

India also started practicing massage at approximately 3000 BC. Ayurveda the traditional Indian system of medicine is believed to be of divine origin and was passed down orally through the generations. It places great emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of massage with aromatic oils and spices. It is practiced very widely in India. Texts detailing Ayurvedic principles and practices were written some time between 1500 and 500 BC.

Around 1000 BC, Japanese monks studying Buddhism in China observed the healing methods of traditional Chinese medicine, including massage therapy. Japan soon began to import and customize Chinese massage techniques, giving rise to traditional Japanese massage or anma, which later grew into Shiatsu.

Derived from the Eastern philosophies and practices, massage progressed into Western civilization via Greece in approximately the eighth century BC. Athletes in Ancient Greece employed massage to keep their bodies in peak condition prior to competitions. Physicians of the time used herbs and oils in combination with massage techniques to treat many medical conditions. Greek women recognized the benefits of these aromatic oils and used them as beauty treatments on their skin.

In the fifth century BC, the Greek scholar Hippocrates prescribed "friction" to treat physical injuries and instructed his physician colleagues on the benefits of rubbing to help the body heal itself. He promoted a combination of massage, proper diet, exercise, rest, fresh air and music to restore the body to a healthy state.

Following Hippocrates' principles, Galen, a physician to many Roman emperors, began using massage therapy to treat different types of physical injuries and diseases. Galen believed in exercise, healthy diet, rest and massage as integral pieces in restoring and maintaining a healthy body.

Romans who could afford it would start by bathing themselves or being bathed by attendants, and having any stiff muscles rubbed with warm vegetable oil. Followed by a full body massage to awaken nerves, stimulate circulation and free the action of their joints. Finally their entire body was rubbed with very fine oil to keep their skin elastic and supple. This combination of bathing, cleaning and massage appeared in every country that the Romans conquered.

Persians started practicing massage around 900 AD. Medical knowledge, including that of massage, made its way from Rome to Persia in the middle ages. Many of Galen's manuscripts were collected and translated by Hunayn ibn Ishaq in the 9th century.

Later copies of these Persian texts were translated back into Latin in the 11th century, and then again in the 15th and 16th centuries, where they helped European scholars to understand the achievements of the Ancient Greeks.

Henrik Ling (1776-1839) from Sweden has been called the father of modern Western massage. His system, the Swedish Gymnastic Movement System, is based on physiology, it incorporated massage with medical gymnastics and physiology. Techniques included stroking, pressing and squeezing, and striking to manually treat physical issues. In 1813 he established with royal patronage the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics. Ling's system is generally known as Swedish Massage. It spread quickly from Sweden.

Over the years massage faded in and out of the Western medical system. During the 1960s, a wave of interest in natural healing once again revitalized the practice of massage and has continued to be a popular method of dealing with stress. Perhaps this is why massage has become mainstream as the increased pace of life has created all sorts of stress related problems.
Mark is a holistic therapist and teacher at Harmony House, a VTCT and CMA accredited training centre, based in Glossop Derbyshire and within easy reach of Manchester, Stockport, Macclesfield, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Barnesly and Buxton.