The History of Massage Therapy Healing

Today many of us long for our annual treat of an hour long massage. Perhaps it comes after the family holidays or is a birthday treat you cannot wait to give yourself. But massage therapy is more than just a posh and modern way to pamper ourselves. It has a deep rich history that brings light to the underlying benefits of with roots in ancient medicine.

Massage therapy is actual one of the oldest and most basic forms of medicinal treatment. Egyptian and Eastern cultures have practiced it for centuries. The Egyptian tomb paintings depict the use of kneading muscles as commonplace. Historical uses include helping treat chills and fever. Also, in Greek and Roman times it was the primary form of pain relief. In Asia, its popularity exploded, with the common belief that sickness is a result of an imbalance in energy. Therefore, to prevent that and stay healthy the massage was a common practice with other forms of body techniques. Some of those supplemental body techniques include acupuncture, acupressure, and amno.

India has an evolved form of massage therapy known as Ayurveda is said to have been a divine origin and was passed down orally for centuries. The unique features of Ayurveda are the interdependence on elements complimentary to the physical contact. Aromatherapy, or the use of oils and spices in combination with the massage, is a popular feature that has thrived along with the modern technique. Other elements of Ayurveda include an herbalist diet and supplemental sound to accompany the therapy session.

Massage therapy became introduced to the West around the 1600s. During this time many medical discoveries were changing the foundation of medicine and many scientists and physicians became aware of the beneficial elements of alternate forms of medicine. The introduction of massages still took time to catch on. The massage exploded during the twentieth century as many soldiers were treated with massage therapy to heal shell shock or nerve damage.

Many attribute the slow growth of massage therapy to the negative connotation it held. It was well known that massages were a popular service of many "adult" parlors. For many, the benefits of therapy could not be removed from the association of sex trade.

However, today it is no longer just a luxury for the extremely wealthy. Many hospitals use massage therapy for pediatric, geriatric and general medical departments. So next time you decide to satisfy your need for a therapeutic massage remember all the benefits!