What is a massage? An hour without any demands on you.
Massage is also an age-old therapy with many health benefits, practiced in most parts of the world, across many cultures. The history of massage therapy dates back nearly 5000 years to between 3000 and 2500 BCE. Archaeological evidence and written records of massage were first found in India, China and Egypt.
The Indians are believed to be the first massage practitioners. Used by Hindus in Ayurveda (Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge or science in Sanskrit), it combines meditation, relaxation and aromatherapy, and is still widely practiced today. Ayurveda practitioners believe massage can restore the body’s natural and physical balance so that it can heal naturally from ailments.
A ghulum, or bath attendant of the Shudra caste, attending to a customer in a Mughal inspired bath- house. The ghulam is providing snehana and svedana, two Ayurvedic procedures, to his customer. Snehana includes external oil massage that nourishes the nervous system, while svedana is the applying of hot steam to flush out the toxins from the body. Source: CC BY 4.0
The first record of massage therapy in China was found in a book called “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic Book of Internal Medicine” written around 2700 BCE, which detailed the techniques of acupuncture and acupressure. The Chinese believed ailments were caused by an imbalance or a deficit in “chi” – the energy or vital force of any living entity – and developed massage methods as a combination of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and acupressure.
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic Book of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing Suwen Jiaoyi). Source: Museum of the Institute of History and Philology / Academia Sinica
Massage therapy made its way to Egypt around 2500 BCE. Ancient Egyptian paintings depicted people massaging the feet and hands which is now known as reflexology. This technique involves applying pressure to specific points or zones on the feet and hands to bring about relaxation and healing to the corresponding areas of the body. The Egyptians are often credited for pioneering reflexology.
A wall painting found in the tomb of the highest official after the Pharaoh - Ankhmahor dated back to 2330 BCE. The tomb is also known as the physicians tomb. Source: CC BY 4.0.
By 800 BCE, ancient Greek athletes were using massage to keep their bodies in peak condition before competitions and Greek physicians of that time used herbs and oils in combination with massage to treat many medical conditions. Hippocrates in the 5th century BCE, prescribed “friction” for physical injuries and promoted the benefits of rubbing to help the body heal itself. He wrote, “Anyone wishing to study medicine must master the art of massage.”
Greek pot representing youth massaging back of friend: 430 BC. Source: CC BY 4.0
The Romans began using massage therapy to treat different diseases and injuries around 200 BCE. The affluent Romans would have massages at home while the public would go to the bath houses for full body massage treatments by physicians and trainers to promote better circulation and joint health.
Japanese monks discovered and imported Chinese acupressure massage therapy to Japan around CE 6th Century. The techniques evolved into the traditional Japanese massage Anma, which then developed into Shiatsu.
Traditional Japanese massage Anma. Source: SOIHA School.
More recently, at the beginning of the 1800s, a Swedish doctor, gymnast and educator named Per Henrik Ling, developed Gymnastics Movements which included calisthenics, stretching and the use of massage to manually treat physical issues. Although Ling is frequently credited as the father of Swedish massage, it was Johann Georg Mezger who developed the techniques of Swedish Massage that are still used today.
Johann Mezger. Source: AM College.
Whether you are seeking relief from pain or comfort in relaxation, let Kneading Hands help you discover the health benefits of massage therapy. Kneading Hands is located at Mount Eliza Consulting Suites, Room 3, 3/116 Mount Eliza Way, Mount Eliza. We are open Tuesdays to Sundays by appointment only. You can book your appointment here.
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