HISTORY OF MASSAGE

101
G10 RIZAL SY 2022-2023

Prepared by: Melanie M. Rigonan

Subject Teacher
 MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES
• The earliest evidence of massage being used is found in the cave paintings of ancient cave dwellers. These wall
drawings and paintings show people massaging each other. Various artifacts also found contain traces of fats
and oils mixed with herbs. These indicate that lubricants may have been used, perhaps for healing, soothing or
beautifying purposes
• 3000BC

= the Chinese practiced massage to cure ailments and improve general health. Records of this can be found in the
British Museum. Ancient Chinese books record lists of massage movements with descriptions of their technique.
One of these books, The Cong Fau of Tao-Tse, also contains lists of exercises and massage used to improve
general health and well-being. The Chinese found that pressure techniques were very effective on specific points
and they developed special techniques called amma . This was the beginning of the development of acupressure
and acupuncture.
= These massage techniques spread to Japan, where they were further developed. The Japanese used similar
pressure techniques on specific points, which they called tsubo. This form of massage has been practiced over the
centuries; it has recently regained recognition and popularity and is now known as shiatsu. Many therapists have
studied these techniques, which they combine with other forms of treatment for the benefit of their clients.
MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

• 1800BC

Records show that the Hindus practiced massage as part of their hygiene routines. A
sacred book called the Ayur-Veda (The Art of Life), which was written around 1800 BC,
describes how shampooing and rubbing were used to reduce fatigue and promote well-
being and cleanliness.
The Egyptians and Persians used massage for cosmetic as well as therapeutic effects .
They mixed fats, oils, herbs and resins for care of the skin and beautifying the body and
face. Pots and jars containing these creams have been found in Egyptian tombs. Cleopatra
is said to have bathed in milk and then to have been massaged with aromatic oils and
creams by her handmaidens.
• 500BC

The practice of massage spread from the east into Europe, where it was well established
 MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

• 500BC
 The practice of massage spread from the east into Europe, where it was well
established
 The Greeks believed in the cultivation of a healthy mind and body, which is similar to the
holistic approach‘ practiced by many people today. Rituals of bathing, massage, exercise or
dancing were practiced by men and women. They encouraged the pursuit of physical fitness
and organized regular sporting, gymnastic and athletic competitions. Massage was used before
events to improve performance and after events to relieve fatigue and aid recovery. Gladiators
and soldiers were massaged before battle to give vigor and promote fitness and health, and
afterwards to aid recovery, healing and relaxation. Homer writes in the poem The Odyssey of
Greek soldiers being rubbed with oils and anointed by beautiful women to aid their recovery
and regain strength on return from battle
• Around 500 BC the Greek physician Herodicus used massage with oils and herbs to treat
medical conditions and diseases. Hippocrates, who is now thought of as the father of
medicine, was a pupil of Herodicus. He began to study the effects of massage on his
patients. He concluded and recorded that ‗hard rubbing binds, soft rubbing loosens, much
rubbing causes parts to waste but moderate rubbing makes them grow‘. Hippocrates also
concluded that it was more beneficial to apply pressure in an upward direction, i.e. towards
the heart, as we practice today. In Hippocrates‘ day, the function of the heart and the
circulation of the blood were not known. It is therefore remarkable that he reached this
conclusion only by observing the effect on the tissues of different strokes. With our
knowledge of the heart and circulating blood we understand why pressure upwards is more
beneficial: the condition of the tissues improves because deoxygenated blood and waste
products are removed quickly as massage speeds up blood and lymph flow. Even without the
benefit of this knowledge, Hippocrates taught his pupils that massage movements should be
performed with pressure upwards to promote healing.
MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

• 500 BC
 The Romans followed similar routines to the Greeks. They practiced bathing, exercise and
massage for health and social relaxation. Large private and public baths were built. These
included water baths and steam rooms, gymnasium and massage areas. The baths were
maintained at different temperatures and progress was made from cold to hot baths. Wealthy
Romans would use these daily for cleansing, exercising, relaxing and socializing. Servants
were always in attendance, with oils and creams to massage their masters when required.
The Romans built similar baths in the countries that were conquered by their armies. Many
such baths were built after the Roman conquest of Britain in 55 BC, and their ruins can be
seen in Britain today in towns and cities such as Bath, Caerleon and St Albans. Massage
techniques recorded from those times include manipulations known as squeezing, pinching
or pummelling. They relate to the petrissage and percussion movements used today.
MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

The Dark Ages to the Renaissance

500AD
 Little is known about massage or health and beauty practices throughout the Dark and
Middle Ages, i.e. from the decline of the Roman Empire around 500 AD until the Middle
Ages around 1400 AD. Few records remain from those days of wars, strict religions,
superstition and persecution. Little value was placed on education, the arts, physical
health and fitness.
• 1450 AD
 Following this period came the Renaissance (rebirth) in 1450 AD. Interest in the arts
and sciences flourished and there was renewed interest in health practices. Once again
we see massage advocated and practiced for therapeutic purposes.
 MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

• 1517-90
 In the sixteenth century, the French surgeon Ambroise Paré (1517–90) promoted and developed the
use of massage. He was the personal physician to four French kings. He is reputed to have
successfully treated Mary Queen of Scots with massage. Paré graded massage into gentle, medium
and vigorous. We use similar categories today, namely soothing or relaxing, general, and
stimulating. Many other physicians copied his methods and massage was established medically.
• The Development of Modern Massage Techniques
• 1776–1839
 Modern massage techniques have evolved mainly from a system developed by a Swedish physiologist
called Per Henrik Ling (1776–1839). He developed a system of passive and active exercises known as
‘Swedish Remedial Gymnastics‘ and also a system of massage movements.Lin g used the terms
‘effleurage‘, ‘petrissage‘, ‘vibration‘, ‘friction‘, ‘rolling‘ and ‘slapping‘. Most of these terms are still
used today, but some changes and modifications have been made in the groupings and names of
manipulations.
 MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

• 1839–1909
 Dr Johann Mezgner (1839–1909), a Dutch physician, developed massage for use in rehabilitation
and used it successfully to treat many diseases and disorders. He adapted massage techniques in
the light of his knowledge of anatomy and physiology. His theories, based on sound scientific
principles, became accepted as medical practice and gained him many followers, particularly in
Germany and America.

• 1742–1823
 The work of Ling and Mezgner established massage as an effective therapeutic treatment.
Techniques were taught in medical schools and the beneficial effects became widely recognized and
accepted in the medical field. In England, the eminent surgeon John Grosvenor (1742–1823) used
massage to treat joints. He recommended massage for the treatment of rheumatism, gout and
stiffness of joints.
 MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

• 1894
 Nurses were encouraged to train and use massage for the treatment of patients, under
the guidance of doctors. In 1894 a group of women founded the Society of Trained
Masseuses. Rules and regulations for training and examinations for qualifying were
established. These women raised standards and fought to establish massage therapy as
a reputable profession.
 Twentieth-Century Developments
• 1920-1943
 During the First World War the demand for massage to treat the injured grew and many
more massage therapists were trained. Membership of the Society of Trained Masseuses
grew and in 1920 it amalgamated with the Institute of Massage and Remedial Exercise.
In recognition of the valuable work contributed by its members during the war, a Royal
Charter was granted and the title was changed to the Chartered Society of Massage and
Medical Gymnastics. The title was changed again in 1943 and became the Chartered
Society of Physiotherapy. In 1964 its members became state registered. This protected
and gave status to those qualified therapists who were practicing in clinics and
hospitals, and made it impossible for those without a recognized qualification to practice
in hospitals.
• 1964-1968
 With the development of alternative electrical-based treatments, the use of massage to
treat medical conditions declined. There was rapid growth in electrotherapy and
eventually massage ceased to be part of physiotherapy training. It became little used as
a therapeutic treatment in hospitals. There was, however, a continuing demand for
massage in clinics, health farms, fitness and leisure centers.
 REFERENES

• References
• ● Learning Module-K to 12 Basic Education-Curriculum Technology and
• Livelihood Education -Home Economics-Wellness Massage, pp.56-64
• ● elementsmassage.com › mequon › blog › massage-is-an-i..
• ● https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/industry-research/history-of-
• wellness/
• ● woosahmassage.com
• ● magazine.youfirst.eu
• ● thehealthsite.com