Posted on June 29, 2007 in Foot Care Tips
The history of massage therapy dates back as far as mankind. Ancient Greeks, Romans and Orientals realized the naturally healing uses and their medical discourses detail how and when massage was used. Closer home, in the Western world, massage therapy lost some of its charm in the Middle Ages when the church regarded the body as sinful but by the 1800’s, Sweden led the massage therapy revolution by introducing an innovative and powerful healing technique for enhanced bodywork. This oldest, simplest form of medical care has many benefits and advantages that humans have long realized and incorporated into successful business strategies- the reason why spas, resorts and massage parlors are so in demand today.
Tracing The Beginnings of Massage Therapy: Historical Tit-bits
Massage therapy was the primary method of relieving pain for Greek and Roman physicians and the famous Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, indulged in a daily massage to treat neuralgia. European massage therapy details are linked mainly with Hippocrates of Asclepides, where two Greek physicians associated with physical medicine used massage techniques as their standard curative modality. Both wrote many books regarding the use of bodywork and its benefits and became very influential during the middle Ages. The father of Western medicine, Hippocrates, endorsed that a good physician needs to experienced in proper rubbing techniques that promote bodily healing as he believed that rubbing could bind a loose joint or loosen a joint that is too rigid.
India: Mysticism and Massage Therapy History
The traditional Indian system of medicine called Ayurveda also placed great emphasis on the advantages of massage therapy and used aromatic oils and spices for this still popular practice.
Oriental Influences of Massage Therapy
The Far East influences of massage therapy can be traced back to 2598B.C to the time of The Yellow Emperor, Huang Ti, where actual documentation of massage as a healing method is found. Still other treatises, dating back to 800A.D. mention the use of bodywork on muscles with substances like herbs blended into oils and rubbed on bodies to protect and heal.
Swedish Power In Massage Therapy History
Per Henrick Ling founded the very popular Swedish massage in the nineteenth century by curing himself of rheumatism through massage. Ling was a gymnastic coach who helped his athletes with their injuries and went on to form the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. He trained his students to carry out his work later and they proved that injuries could be cured effectively through various types of Swedish massage techniques.
Popularity Swings In History of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy involving commonly grown herbs, basic rubbing and loosening techniques combined with the application of oil by thoughtfully, manipulative hands has faced many upswings and downswings in the popularity ratings. However, its benefits remained constant. It has been acknowledged today that massage therapy helps release toxins from the body, aids in the flow and movement of bodily fluids and has evolved over time to help relieve people of pain and discomfort.
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