Massage

Massage a word that can conjure many images in ones mind. There are shoulder massages, back rubs, deep tissue massage, full body massage, erotic massage or even neck massage. A massage can provide many different results such as relaxation or relief from aches and pains, or stimulation or even sexual arousal. Massage has a long history of being used in the therapeutic treatment of ailments. India has long practiced methods of healing that include massage as well as therapies including diet, herbalism, aromatherapy, touch, sound and color. The earliest known written records go back to 3000 BCE. Paintings found in the tombs of ancient Egypt depicted persons being massaged by others. The medical benefits of massage therapy were documented in Chinese texts dating to 2700 BCE. http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/massage-therapy-history.shtml The Japanese monks who had been studying Buddhism in China became aware of the traditional healing methods used by the Chinese and imported the massage techniques that became traditional Japanese massage and eventually evolved into Shiatsu. This form of massage was designed to raise the patients energy level which would then regulate and fortify the functioning of the organs and stimulate a natural resistance to illnesses. http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/massage-therapy-history.shtml Eventually massage made its way into use in Greece. Athletes would use massage techniques to help keep their bodies in top form before they entered into competitions. Herbs and oils were used by physicians of the time to aid in massage treatment of many medical conditions. Friction and rubbing were prescribed by Hippocrates to help the body heal itself. http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/massage-therapy-history.shtml The Romans began enjoying the benefits of massage in the first century BCE. Wealthy members of Roman society would have personal physicians administer massages in their homes but many other Romans would attend the baths and after cleansing and soaking would have trainers or doctors provide a full body massage to stimulate circulation and help loosen their joints. http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/massage-therapy-history.shtml Over the next several centuries the use of massage in the western world declined until the 19th century CE when the more robust Swedish system was put into play by Physician Per Henrik Ling and involved not just rubbing but pressing, squeezing and striking for manual treatment of physical issues. http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/massage-therapy-history.shtml Massage in the US retained a low profile through the first half of the 20th century in spite of the development of many advances in this form of therapy. As the century wound down towards its end the increasing interest in natural forms of healing caused a resurgence in the use of massage and many other ancient forms of treatment therapy. http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/massage-therapy-history.shtml