The history of massage is extensive, as is the history of medicine in general. While evidence suggests that massage was practiced in the early days of recorded history, it is not clear what the exact origin of this practice is. Some historians believe that massage probably developed from an actual Indian spiritual practice referred to as "Yoga," but there is no evidence to support this. This point is not well documented. However it is evident that Yoga was popularized in India and that its practitioners spread their practices throughout the world.

Three thousand years ago, the origins of massage therapy can be traced back to India's earliest texts. This would mean that it was around 3000 BCE or less. Used mostly by Hindus in Ayurvedic health, massage was also a practiced by ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Romans, although their purposes were different from ours.

There is no definitive evidence of the date when massage therapy began in the west, but we do know that ancient civilizations like Egypt had a type of massage, known as "Lavan" or "Tui Na" that was used to treat ailments. It was only a relatively late addition to Western medicine that "massage" was an integral healing method. 창원출장 Certain, the early Chinese and Indian medicine focused more on the entire body than upon specific areas. Therefore, the majority of the techniques we are familiar with today as massage therapy weren't developed in those times. However many of the techniques used in massage therapy like the application of massage oils, the use of acupressure and the like, came from a common source and were later incorporated into Asian culture.

In China it is believed that the earliest reference to Chinese massage is the legend of the Yellow Emperor, who was believed to have the body of a 15 year old girl healed by the use of a peach flower. Another legend says that the Yellow Emperor may have received this treatment from a peach blossom that was picked from the lap of Jade Buddha. Another version tells the story of an Chinese herbalist who healed blindness in a man making a paste of the leaves and roots of one flower, known as the "Nan Hu", which he had procured from a well in the royal gardens of the Nanking region. Although the man was not cured by the "Nan Hu" paste, it is a sign of the healing power of Chinese massage. However the man did not apply herbal remedies or other methods.


Marco Polo, an Italian doctor who introduced the "Swedish massage" to the Chinese court between the 6th and 13th centuries. Marco Polo and his translator brought with them a manuscript written in the Gothic language that had been written by an Indian doctor. This manuscript referred to a Swedish massage technique that was exclusive to India. The two doctors combined the information they gathered from other sources and came up with the massage technique known as "Yoga," meaning "the way." According to the legend, the two Asian doctors merged yoga with Swedish massage techniques, resulting in what we call the Swedish massage.

Massage therapists today often employ the techniques from Sanskrit and other ancient texts on massage to add an unique touch and energy to their massage therapies. Some of these massage techniques are based on an old tradition called "Laying on Hands", where the massage therapist would pray for the patient to pray for their health and body's defense against illness. While some of these methods are getting more popular, others remain controversial. 창원출장안마 For instance, some touch therapies such as Reiki make use of the patient's spiritual energy, thought and willpower to heal the client. Others, such as the Swedish massage, which employs the force of kneading and deep pressure are still considered controversial.

Massage therapists have been taught about the healing power of touch and that they should not just contact the skin of the patient. When they learn to relax the entire body using his hands the massage therapist can assist the patient in avoiding muscle contractions during a massage therapy session, which can provide numerous health benefits. Massage therapists can aid athletes relax and prevent injuries from happening during exercises. Massage therapy classes can help athletes ease muscle pain and discomfort.

Another one of the massage techniques from the time of ancient Greece is Shiatsu. This ancient form of treatment uses thumb pressure, finger pressure along with thumb and finger pressures, and even voices to treat a variety of conditions and illnesses. Shiatsu was created in China but is now utilized all over the world. Shiatsu classes continue to be offered throughout the world, even though the concept of shiatsu may have changed slightly due to globalization.