About Massage

"The outward freedom that we shall attain will only be in exact proportion to the inward freedom to which we may have grown at a given moment.
And if this is a correct view of freedom, our chief energy must be concentrated on achieving reform from within."
- Ghandi

Massage: A Short History

History
        The origins of massage are timeless. "Rubbing" when things hurt is a natural instinct and is comforting, soothing, and revitalizing. Therapeutic touch is natural to all cultures, so it is difficult to pinpoint its exact beginnings, although various references illustrate the role of massage from past to current times.

Eastern Massage
        In China, archeological finds confirm that massage was practiced more than three thousand years ago. The Yellow Emperor's Treatise of Internal Medicine, the first comprehensive medical text, compiled sometime between 2700 and 200 BCE outlined treatment using herbs, acupuncture, and massage. TuiNa, meaning "pushing and grasping," sprang from the popular folk massage anmo, which survives today. With roots in the Shang Dynasty (starting in 1700 BCE), it emerged in around 1368-1644 AD. In Japan, an early form of massage known as anma was introduced from China via Buddhism in the 6th century AD. Western medicine dominated in the early 19th century, but a century later shiatsu emerged and now enjoys official recognition in Japan

        In India, Sanskrit texts dating from around 1500 BCE, forming the basis of Ayurvedic medicine, refer to massage, oils, and herbs. Indian head massage, or champissage (champi meaning shampoo), has been part of family grooming for 1,000 years and is used to promote healthy hair. Hieroglyphics found in Egyptian tombs and dated to around 2300 BCE depict practitioners rubbing hads and feet with their hands.

Western Massage
        According to Hippocrates (c. 460-377 BCE), the “father of modern medicine”, physicians “should be practiced in many arts but particularly that of rubbing.” And the Greek physician Asclepiades of Bithynia (c. 124-40 BCE) recommended massage, diet, exercise, and baths. In Greece, massage was used for digestive ailments and commonly before sport. The Roman physician Celsus (c. 25 BCE – 57 AD) described frictions in detail, recommending massage for headache relief, while Galen (c. 130-201 AD) wrote that “all the muscle fibers should be stretched in every direction.” Pliny the elder (23-79 AD) was healed by a medical practitioner of massage, while Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE) received massage for neuralgia. The Persian physician Avicenna (980-1037 AD), who was influenced by Galen, wrote of massage and described various friction methods.

        Massage later became frowned upon as indulgent and medical references are sporadic until the 15th century. In 1813, Per Henrik Ling established the Swedish movement system, although Swedish massage terminology was introduced at a later date by Dutchman Johann Mezger. During the First World War, injured soldiers were treated with massage, while the Californian bodywork movement of the 1960s combined massage with personal growth.

     Each culture has its own traditions, with massage walking a path between pleasure, folk usage, and professional therapy. It is now practiced in its own right, although traditionally it formed part of a therapeutic whole.

*** History excerpt from “The Massage Bible – The Definitive Guide to Soothing Aches and Pains” by Susan Mumford, 2009 Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

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*** Massage should not be considered as a replacement for professional medical treatment: a physician should be consulted in all matters relating to health and especially in relation to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. In some cases, a primary physician’s approval/prescription is required before any bodywork is administered. Care should be taken during pregnancy, particularly in the use of essential oils and pressure points. Essential oils should not be ingested, and should be used for babies and children only on professional advice.

Inner SE Portland Clinic: 833 SE Main Street #428, Portland, Oregon 97214 * Milwaukie Clinic: 10883 SE Main Street #203, Milwaukie, Oregon 97222
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