History of Massage Therapy
Question:I am doing a project for my class on massages. I would like to know more information about massage. I will like to know who invented it, how did it get started, where was it invented, and what culture started with massage.
- Leslie
The exact origin of massage is difficult to determine, as several cultures had techniques that eventually evolved into the massages we receive today. Literature from all over the world has been found to mention techniques of massage such as kneading, pressing, rubbing, tapping as a form of healing.
The origin of the word "massage" is derived from either the Arabic word "mass," meaning to touch, or the Greek word "massein," to knead.
The oldest medical book in existence mentions the treatment of paralysis and reduced circulation using massage. That was written in China in approximately 1000 BC and is called "The Yellow Emperor's Classics of Internal Medicine." And Hippocrates, circa 460-375 BC, discussed "gently rubbing" a dislocated shoulder following reduction to aid healing.
However, in 19th century Sweden, the terminology we currently use to describe the different techniques, such as effleurage, petrissage, strokings and tapotement, emerged from Per Ling, a fencer and physical education teacher. He turned Stockholm into a centre for therapeutic exercise, which was called medical gymnastics, and massage therapy. That is when Swedish massage became internationally known.
The ancient Greeks used massage on athletes before and after sport. It was thought to help prepare the muscles before activity and remove extra fluid and metabolites after sport, a concept which is still used today. Gaelen of Rome (129-199 AD) wrote 16 books on friction massage and gymnastics (remedial exercise), describing the pressure direction and frequency of treatment.
Massage Therapy was formerly introduced as a separate profession in the United States in 1917, when the Surgeon-General set up a rehabilitation process for soldiers wounded in the First World War.
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