The History of Massage
While mechanics have a lot of different tools, of which all are extremely useful in making cars run smoothly, massage therapists are equipped with more than a dozen massage techniques and therapies that are capable of keeping the body balanced, healthy and very happy.
What is massage?
Massaging is actually the oldest form of medical therapy there has been practiced on the human body. There are actually various types of massage that are known to man. They are all derived from the most celebrated civilizations and traditional beliefs of the ancient Greeks, Romans, ancient Indians, and the Chinese as well.
Ancient times
It actually started way back from 2700 BC when the ancient Eastern Chinese cultures performed massage in order to heal an array of ailments, ranging from pain from labor right up to paralysis. Tombs associated with ancient Egypt were also discovered with paintings and images of figures being massaged on the walls. Moreover, Ayurveda, which is known to be a traditional medicine in India, is a form of therapeutic massage that uses aromatherapy spices and oils for healing properties.
Even known heroes from Greece and Rome such as the great Julius Caesar had massages performed daily on them in order to treat their nerve pain.
Massage in the modern world
At present, massage techniques have already been modernized. They were enhanced so that they can be able to heal particular health conditions. For instance, those who were injured during the First World War underwent massage to remedy their nerve damage and also to relieve shell shock in the Western hospitals back in the 1930s.
Present time
To date, massages are still performed by many to treat a wide variety of ages. In fact, even babies and senior citizens can benefit from massages, despite being diagnosed under the intensive care, health clinics, health clubs, and other hospital settings.
Diseases it can remedy
According to medical research, massages can treat nerve damage, lumbar pain, AIDS, paralysis, back pain, cancer, premature birth, stroke, heart attack, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Asian influence
The Chinese created a book entitled Huangdi Neijing. This book was written by the Yellow Emperor which referred to massaging as a massage of the skin and flesh. Massage was initially discovered with the Chinese technique of massage abortion, where the practitioner applies pressure to the abdomen of a pregnant woman. This practice is famous in Southeast Asia.
In the West
Those who practice Western traditions also practice a particular form of massage that is initially Swedish of origin. Swedish masseuses were first brought to the world in the nineteenth century. Their style is a combination of techniques from traditional Greece, Rome, China, and Egypt. Their techniques have also been incorporated into other forms of complementary therapies such as reflexology, aromatherapy, Amma therapy, osteopathy and the Reiki.
Since massaging was not becoming a hundred percent successful in treating medical conditions, its use diminished in the 1940s. However, massage became famous once again in the 1970s, especially among athletes.

