The Early History of Massage
Undoubtedly, the first massage was an early man rubbing a cramped leg after
climbing a tree to escape a saber tooth tiger. We have an instinctive reaction
to rub or hold the affected area to ease the pain. Early man probably soon
learned that, while rubbing painful areas of his body, certain plants could be
applied which would help to ease the pain and promote healing. This basic
technique has been developed through the ages into massage we know it today.
Massage is the systematic manipulation of the soft body tissues for therapeutic
purposes. Massage in its most basic form has been around as long as man,
however today there are many highly specialized forms of massage all derived
from these basic techniques.
There are claim that massage extends back to 3000BC in China, or
that it is documented in ancient Chinese writings from 2000BC. These
claims seem rather dubious. The earliest known writing—Cuneiform, used
by the Summerians—dates from shortly before 3000BC and almost all
remaining fragments from the period are only administrative and
economic. Chinese writing dates from around 1400BC, near the start of
the Shang dynasty, and it from around this time that we can reliably
date massage.
Two other medical techniques were used by the Chinese in addition to
massage: moxa—the burning of herbs on specific skin areas to relieve
disease; and acupuncture—insertion of narrow needles into the body in
an attempt to block pain.
The first professional massage exam was instituted in China around 100
AD, with the introduction of Schools of Occult Studies to complement
the more commonly accepted Confucian schools. These were devoted to
such subjects as Buddhism and Taoism that transcended the practical
ordered affairs of government. Students of medicine were examined in
massage and acupuncture as well as treatment of general bodily
diseases. The first level of qualification, the hsiu ts'ai (cultivated
talent) was equivalent to the current British BA degree; the ming
ching (understanding the classics) and chin-shih (advanced scholar)
corresponded to a Masters degree and a doctorate. Possession of these
qualifications was very prestigious.
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Massagers
- Hand Held Massage tools that make giving a
professional massage a snap. Give a longer more penetrating massage
without tiring.
Electric
Massagers We carry the largest selection of
massagers available. Massagers for your back, feet, neck and more..
Electric Massagers to fit every budget and meet every need from the
professional to the occasional home user
Reflexology Tools If you are interested in
reflexology we have everything you need. Reflexology Charts,
Clothes with Charts on them so you know right where to apply
pressure. Some Really UNIQUE tools direct from China and
Japan.
Trigger
Point Release In Our opinion Trigger Point Release
Massage is the most effective chronic pain relief treatment out
there. The draw back is that it needs to be done several times a
week preferable several times a day.We have just about every tool
made to make the daily home treatment easy and enjoyable.
Chiropractic Pillows Some pillows feel good
others make you feel good.
Improve
Joint function Natural supplements to improve bone
strength and joint health
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Touch is one of the oldest known medical treatments known in the world. Touch
therapy is described in the Ayer-Veda, the earliest known medical text from
India (around 1400 B.C.), along with diet and exercise as primary healing
practices of the time (Older, 1982). Hippocrates, in 400 B.C., described
medicine as “the art of rubbing.” Older (1982) describes exotic uses of massage
in contemporary cultures. He noted that in Samoa massage is used for every
ailment from diarrhea to migraines using mixtures of plants, flowers from trees,
roots and coconut milk. In Cuba, garlic and oil are applied to the stomach after
“a meal lodged in the stomach where it causes pain and fever” (Older, 1982).
THE WORD MASSAGE is from the Greek to knead; Sanskrit, Masch, to strike to
press, to condense, and according to Graham "Massage: Reference Handbook of
the Medical Sciences", includes "friction, kneading, manipulating, rolling,
and percussion of the external tissues of the body in a variety of ways, either
with a curative, palliative, or hygienic object in view." Friction, rolling, a
form of deep kneading, and percussion, are produced by the action of many of the
mechanical vibratodes. "Mechanical Vibration",
M. L. H. Arnold Snow, M.D. 1912
Massage in China
There are claim that massage extends back to 3000BC in China, or
that it is documented in ancient Chinese writings from 2000BC. These
claims seem rather dubious. The earliest known writing—Cuneiform, used
by the Summerians—dates from shortly before 3000BC and almost all
remaining fragments from the period are only administrative and
economic. Chinese writing dates from around 1400BC, near the start of
the Shang dynasty, and it from around this time that we can reliably
date massage.
Two other medical techniques were used by the Chinese in addition to
massage: moxa—the burning of herbs on specific skin areas to relieve
disease; and acupuncture—insertion of narrow needles into the body in
an attempt to block pain.
The first professional massage exam was instituted in China around 100
AD, with the introduction of Schools of Occult Studies to complement
the more commonly accepted Confucian schools. These were devoted to
such subjects as Buddhism and Taoism that transcended the practical
ordered affairs of government. Students of medicine were examined in
massage and acupuncture as well as treatment of general bodily
diseases. The first level of qualification, the hsiu ts'ai (cultivated
talent) was equivalent to the current British BA degree; the ming
ching (understanding the classics) and chin-shih (advanced scholar)
corresponded to a Masters degree and a doctorate. Possession of these
qualifications was very prestigious.
Chinese Taoist priests practised ‘Qi Gong’ -
meditative movement revealing and cultivating the vital life force. Traditional
Chinese medicine is based on the principle that every illness, ailment or
discomfort in the body is due to an imbalance of ‘Qi’.
In about 1,000 BC Japanese monks began to study Buddhism in China.
They witnessed the healing methods of traditional Chinese medicine and
took them back to Japan.
Massage in Japan
In Japan the practice of medicine mostly consisted of diagnosis and treatment
with massage-type methods. The Japanese not only adopted the Chinese style, but
also began to enhance it by introducing new combinations, eventually reaching a
unique Japanese form called Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a Japanese word derived from
‘shi’ meaning finger and ‘atsu’ meaning pressure. It is a technique similar to
that used in acupuncture but without needles and with extra movements involved.
Massage in India
Civilization in India also dates back to about 3,000 BC. Around 1,800 to 500
BC the Vedic Indian culture spread westwards towards the river Ganges. They
developed a unique form of medicine know as Ayurvedic medicine. They wrote
several great books that recorded their techniques. One called ‘Ayur Veda’ which
means ‘the arts of life’, dates back to 1,700 BC and describes some simple
massage and herbal treatments for various conditions.
Massage in Egypt
Ancient Egyptian drawings show people massaging each other's feet. It has
been practiced by people of Eastern cultures for over 4,000 years. REFLEXOLOGY
now is enjoying widespread support in North America. It is part of a holistic
approach to body healing. It offers a hopeful vision of help and relief, aside
from conventional methods.
Nature designed our feet for walking on uneven and rough ground, thus
massaging our feet to keep our bodies healthy. REFLEXOLOGY is based on the
principle that our nerves or zones end at the bottom of our feet. These zones or
reflex points go from the bottom of our feet to the top of our head,
encompassing all vital organs on the way. When we press or massage a certain
point on the bottom of our foot, we send energy, via that zone, to the
corresponding area in our body. So we are helping our body to heal itself by
balancing our energies. Tender zones or points may indicate that part of our
body requires help or energy sent to it, via the reflex point.
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