Notes

Massage therapy has a rich history that dates back to around 3000 BCE (earlier), and 3000 CE (or more) in India. It was once considered a sacred medical system to heal the body. It is primarily used by Hindus in Ayurveda medical practices massage therapy has been handed through generations to heal injuries, alleviate pain, prevent and even cure illnesses. One of the earliest and possibly the most well-known applications of massage is that of sports massage. It employs massage strokes as a method of helping muscles to recuperate or reach their peak performance levels. This practice isn't restricted to sports and physical therapy however, it can be utilized to ease stress and swelling caused by various activities.
The roots of massage can be traced back to the time of ancient Greece in the time of Hippocrates the founder and father of medicine, was fascinated by the healing properties that rubbing the body's tissues could have. He observed the similarity between the human skin and the sheep's mountain skin. He realized that massaging the body could increase circulation and ease muscle tension, which would lead to better overall health and well-being. Hippocrates was the one who discovered modern massage techniques in the Hellenistic period. It can be stated that massage was the first introduced to the western world by Hippocrates who, in turn was likely inspired by Indian techniques.

As time passed, different cultures around the globe began to adopt and develop various massage techniques including some, such as the Chinese massage with its distinct origins. Nevertheless, the original aim was to encourage healing, and to ease pain. Since this type of massage became popular throughout Europe and Asia it became known as shiatsu in Japan as well as suvarna in India (also known as Indian Head Massage), talmyasa in China (also called Chinese Tantra Massage) and Ludwig in Germany and Scandinavia. The Chinese Acupuncture Massage is the modern version of Chinese massage.

Today many western and eastern countries have adopted the art and many of the ancient traditions associated with it. Although, there are many different types of this massage, they all have the same thing that is a holistic approach to treatment. This means that the treatment is not only focused on relieving discomfort, but also to promote healing in the body. Certain forms of Chinese massage also incorporate herbs, acupuncture and meditation, which are thought to be a combination that promotes overall health and well-being. It is also believed to be reliable and efficient because it was created by the Asians who had been treating joints and muscles for hundreds of years.

Reflexology, a Chinese-based type of massage therapy, is among the most significant branches of massage therapy in the modern age. Reflexology involves applying pressure to certain areas of the feet, hands and even the soles of feet to ease aches and discomforts. It was thought to be highly effective when it was first used by the ancient Egyptians, although today's techniques differ. Reflexology can be utilized in conjunction with any of the basic massage therapies, or it can be used alone. The technique was initially used to treat foot problems such as leg pains and discomforts. However, it is now considered to be a part of Chinese Acupuncture Massage.

The ancient Egyptian massage techniques employed similar techniques to those used by the ancient Egyptians, i.e. using your hands to rub, knead, and press with your hands or using your palms of your hands and fingers to apply pressure. Massage oils were utilized to provide essential lubrication and nourishment. They also utilized massage cushions that were either worn underneath or rolled around the buttocks and thighs to create friction.

Ancient Chinese massage employs effleurage as well as the gliding strokes. Effleurage is a type of stroke that warms up and loosens muscles. Gliding strokes are utilized for circulation and to reduce soreness. Gliding strokes are also known as ping-pong strokes and are employed to stretch muscles. Both the gliding and effleurage movements are believed to be beneficial to injuries to soft tissue. Lymphatic drainage is a concept that the body cleans itself by permitting the lymphatic system to flow.

When looking at ancient Greece and Rome we see that both Hippocrates and the Romans employed the traditional massage techniques. Hippocrates was the founder of medical science and believed that all illness begins in the body, and that the most effective treatment was prevention through preventative care. Romans utilized massage therapy and Hippocrates's principles were later applied by Sigmund Freud, a Roman physician.
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