Massage, an Ancient Art of Healing

Massage: the primal touch of hands, a divine art of healing, and a therapy as old as humanity itself.

The word massage originates from the Arabic word massa, which means to touch, press, or feel. Its roots lie in traditional Chinese medicine: as early as 3000 BC, the Chinese referred to it as Nei Jing and applied it for conditions of the musculoskeletal system. The Japanese developed the shiatsu technique, or finger pressure, performing a form of acupressure. The Indian text Ayurveda, written in 1800 BC, describes massage as rubbing and shampooing, recommending it for bodily recovery and wellbeing.

It was practised in Egypt, Persia, and Mesopotamia, across the lands of the ancient world. The Romans and Greeks also embraced massage. Hippocrates stated that all physicians must understand massage, and his pupil Herodicus applied it in treating sprains, marking what is considered the first therapeutic massage. The Romans used it for military and athletic purposes. The earliest record of sports massage comes from the 4th-century Roman physician Oribasius.

In the modern era, Per Henrik Ling, a Swede, combined the principles of traditional Chinese massage with the needs of modern life, giving rise to Swedish massage. He is regarded as the founder of kinesiotherapy and modern massage, which flourished in the 19th century. This period is also closely associated with the Russian physician Isidore Zabludowski, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern therapeutic massage.

Applying massage to specific areas of the body helps harmonise mental wellbeing and inner balance. It is also considered an excellent way to support the body's natural defences, with the key benefit lying in promoting healthy circulation to tissues and organs.

Benefits of massage:

• Relieves bodily tension and relaxes muscles
• Enhances blood and lymphatic circulation
• Helps ease chronic pain and discomfort
• Reduces stress
• Supports recovery after illness
• Improves skin elasticity and regeneration
• Encourages slower, deeper breathing
• Improves sleep quality
• Supports healthy metabolism
• Aids the natural elimination of waste from the body
• Positively influences internal organs
• Supports immune system function
• Enhances focus and concentration