A.

The History of Massage Therapy: 5,000 Years of Relaxation and Pain Relief

You might think that massage therapy is a modern trend that natural healing practitioners are pushing.
That’s partially true. The medical benefits of massage therapy are certainly being touted these days, but
it’s not new. Massage therapy is part of a traditional holistic system of healing methods that began about
5,000 years ago.

he history of massage therapy dates back to 3000 BCE (or earlier) in India, where it was considered a
sacred system of natural healing. Used by Hindus in Ayurveda “life health” medicine, massage therapy
was a practice passed down through generations to heal injuries, relieve pain, and prevent and cure
illnesses. Promoters of Ayurveda believe that illness and disease are caused when people are out of sync
with the environment. Massage is believed to restore the body’s natural and physical balance so that it
can heal naturally.
The Egyptians influenced the Greeks and Romans who used massage therapy in different ways. In
Greece, between 800 and 700 BCE, athletes used massage to condition their bodies before
competitions, and doctors often applied herbs and oils in combination with massage to treat various
medical conditions. Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” treated physical injuries in the 5th
Century BCE with friction, a massage technique, and was the first to prescribe a combination of
massage, proper diet, exercise, fresh air and music to restore health imbalance – a remedy we hear
of even today.
In the early 1800s, Swedish doctor/gymnast/teacher Per Henrik Ling created a method that
became known as the Swedish Movement Cure to help relieve chronic pain. As much medical
gymnastics as massage therapy, it was the precursor to what we now know as Swedish massage –
a style that involves stroking, pressing, squeezing and striking.

Whereas Ling’s method used massage in his movements, 19th-Century Dutchman Johan George
Mezger is credited with incorporating techniques that are used today:
• Effleurage, which uses long, gliding strokes from the extremities inward at various levels
of pressure
• Petrissage, a technique that is rhythmic and may include kneading, skin rolling, lifting or
a push-pull movement
• Tapotement, a beating/tapping administered with the side of the hand, a cupped hand or
fingertips used in Swedish massage
• Friction, a technique that is physically demanding, consisting of deep, circular or
crosswise movements with the thumbs, fingertips, palms or elbows, designed to penetrate
deep tissue
• Compression, is an effective massage technique performed by laying hands over a muscle
area and pushing down onto the tissues
 C. Health and Healing concept of Massage
Massage therapists are trained to focus on the fact that the body is an integrated organism and
that in order to treat a person effectively,we must look at the whole picture. This includes not
only the physical symptoms but also the way other factors such as lifestyle, diet, and activity
level relate back to the changes we are seeing in the body. When deciding how to treat a client,
therapists must focus on restoring balance to the system. Gathering as much information as
possible about the client so we can see how the body has changed its function and work to
correct the system.

The International Spa Association(ISPA) Education Committee developed the 10 Elements of

the Spa Experience. Their goal was ―to help define the elusive and ever changing nature of the
spa experience‖ and to ―create a foundation,a common language, and career path for the
emerging spa professional. Many concepts, important to the practice of spa, emerge from the
ISPA‘s dialog around the 10 Elements image. The most important perhaps is the idea of
integration. Everything is connected. Feeling beautiful, feeling joyous, feeling healthy, and
feeling energetic are signs of a balanced life. A balanced life requires both reflection and
action.Spas provide a space where clients can experience each element represented in the image
and reflect on its presence or absence in their lives.

Movement and touch is an appreciation of beauty, it is also our connection to the environment,
cultural expression, social contribution, the healing quality of water, and nourishment both of the
body and the soul are the essential concepts on which spa is founded. The spa experience can be
life changing.Far from being just a luxury, spa therapy represents the bold first step toward a
better form of health care. Its future is in the hands of those dedicated therapists and visionary
spa owners who have the ability to provide a space where clients can experience balance and
celebrate life while receiving exceptional care.

Balance of Five Elements(Wood, Fire, Water, Metal, Earth)

Thousands of years ago, people lived in a very close and interactive way with Nature. They were
affected by seasonal changes and whether much more than we are today. Day in and day out the
patterns of the seasons were observed and interactions between the elements were understood. If
there was a drought, there would be fire. Too much rain would bring flooding and dampness.
Springtime brought activity and planting ; winter was a time to rest and reflect.

In China, this observation of the season and elements was also applied to our bodies and used as
a way to heal illness and understand health. This tradition views the world as being made up of
Five elements.

These five elements (also known as the Five Phases) are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Each element has many associated qualities. Each element also has a season, color, taste and
Yin/Yang Organ Meridian pair that reflect some of those qualities.

The Control Cycle balances the Creation Cycle by inhibiting or suppressing the energy of the
elements connected by lines to make a five pointed star.

• METAL controls WOOD by cutting it

• WOOD controls Earth by holding it in place with roots.
• EARTH controls WATER by containing and absorbing it
• WATER controls FIRE by extinguishing it.
• FIRE controls METAL be melting it.

Wellness massage is a holistic treatment. Psychically: Here the focus is on relaxing muscle tissue
and supporting the natural healing process of the body. The aim is preventive healing as opposed
to treating any injuries. The muscles are toned and relaxed, tensions eased out and aches soothed.
E. Wellness Services and Products

Massages are often performed in the context of physical therapy. The main focus of the treatment
is on pain relief, tension release and the promotion of blood circulation. The resulting physical and
mental relaxation is a positive effect that is used in treating patients with depression or anxiety
disorders. In their case, professional massages are performed to give the patient a good body
feeling and help him out of his lack of drive.
With Praxisdienst, you will find a large selection of massage products and accessories, like
massage oils, massage rods and hot stones to perform healthy massages.
Massage Oils
In this category, we not only offer classic massage oils, but also high-quality massage lotions,
massage cremes and pure oils that are ideal for performing massages. Whether you are looking for
supplies with a warming effect or a pleasant fragrance, or are interested in lotions that provide a
good grip - with us you will find the right equipment for your needs.
Massage Accessories
Massages are often performed with equipment to relieve the therapist's hands and to have a greater
effect on the patient. We offer you a wide range of massage supplies in the form of hot stones and
all-natural herb pads, as well as the classic massage rods and therapy aids from Richelli. The
massage woods can for example be used for trigger point massages or friction.
Wellness massage is defined as a personal service initiated by a patient to provide relaxation,
increase body awareness and to create balance with the objectives of promoting health and
wellness. This type of treatment is utilized to counteract the pressures of daily life that tend to wear
down both the body and mind.