History of massage: from ancient times to the present day

Massage began to be used by primitive people and had its origins in folk medicine. In the Pacific Islands, the people living there began to use it as a remedy. Since those ancient times, the history of massage begins, gradually moving into the main part of medical skill.

The first images of massage techniques on clay tables, walls and various fabrics

The origins of history in different nations of the world

In the third millennium BC, the emergence of history in China begins. Massage is used to treat various dislocations, rheumatic pain, and also as a remedy against fatigue. The Chinese technique was as follows: they rubbed the entire body, gently squeezing the muscles.

In ancient India, the technique for treating diseases was similar: they kneaded the entire body from the upper limbs to the feet. It is worth noting that it was the Indians who first came up with the idea of ​​combining steam baths with massage.

This happened in the following way: a small amount of water was poured onto iron plates heated to a high temperature. As the water evaporated, it penetrated into the skin. Due to this, the body was well hydrated, then the body was massaged with varying pressure.

Basically, massage was performed by clergy. Subsequently, special schools were created in these countries that taught the art of massage. Subsequently, the countries of America and Africa mastered the simplest massage techniques, which were aimed at treating many diseases.

In countries such as Ancient Egypt, Libya, Nubia, massage became known and widely used 12 centuries BC. A distinctive feature of Egyptian massage is the bath technique. The person was thoroughly steamed, then he was kneaded, rubbed, and massaged on all sorts of parts of the body. As a rule, a person was massaged first from the front, then from the back and sides. This way all the muscles were used.

It also became known that the Persians, Assyrians and Egyptians used massage techniques for medicinal purposes. This became known, judging by the images on ancient bas-reliefs and papyri, on which images of the main massage techniques were found: rubbing, stroking, effleurage.

Ancient Greece received widespread use of massage from Egypt. In Ancient Greece, massage began to occupy an important place in the art of treating various diseases. Since then, it has come to be considered a fundamental element of Greek medicine. It is also known that such great Greek doctors as Hippocrates, Herodikos and others described massage techniques in detail in their works.

Massage was widespread during the reign of Emperor Julian. Massage was still widely used in baths, plus rubbing with oils and ointments appeared, which gave significantly better results. Ancient Greece believed that massage should be given great importance: it should be introduced in sports, in everyday life, in school and in the army, in a word, everywhere. Then, special salons began to appear that cared for the skin of the face and hands, providing cosmetic and hygienic massage.

Ancient Rome also began to open various massage schools. One of the founders was the Greek physician Asklepiades, as well as his students. The doctor performed various massages: on dry skin, with various oils, short-term and positive, strong and weak. Keeping up with other countries, Roman baths also used massage. For this purpose, special rooms were created in the baths, in which massage exercises were carried out. The following fact should be noted: thanks to the Romans, massage became part of the military education system.

Oriental medicine and massage

Oriental medicine and massage are two terms that are continuously connected. Eastern medicine reached its peak in the 10th and 11th centuries. At this very time, the development of new methods for treating diseases began to develop rapidly. The massage was also appreciated.

In ancient times, massage was actively used in medicine.

Oriental massage schools began to appear. They differed from the schools of Rome and Ancient Greece in that the Turks pressed with their fingers and rubbed and ground fabrics. The massage was also carried out in baths, in specially heated prepared rooms. Experts used not only their hands, but also their feet.

The healing power of massage was also used in Ancient Rus'. Along with massage, hardening was also used. The technique was as follows: beating, active movements, rubbing with a broom. This form was called “tailing,” which was described in detail in the chronicles. Massage was used for rheumatic pain, bruises, and injuries. Rubbing of all parts of the body was used, and various ointments were rubbed in, which were prepared on the basis of medicinal herbs and roots.

Massage and therapeutic exercises

Massage and therapeutic exercises went hand in hand. Over time, massage began to be used in all continents. For example, in the 19th century in France, England, Germany and a number of other countries, works were published on the miraculous effects of massage, on its principles and application in a number of different diseases.

Promotes rapid recovery after sports activities.

In Europe and Russia, numerous works on massage appeared much later. Only in the seventies did the first works appear that described the principles of the influence of massage on the human body and described various techniques.

Over time, sports massage quickly began to gain its position. It was one of the most successful means for training athletes and quickly relieving fatigue. At this time, many works appeared that described methods of interaction between massage and sports.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, many European countries began to actively engage in physical culture. And, undoubtedly, massage did not decrease its position, but only gained momentum. The athletes had their legs, arms, body, and pectoral muscles massaged. It was used to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games. Many Olympic teams began to acquire a full-time massage therapist.

In 1923, the history of sports in the USSR began to spread widely. Massage courses began to be taught at the Moscow Institute of Physical Education.

Massage today: the story does not end

As for our days, there are four massage systems: Finnish, Russian, Oriental and Swedish. About each of the systems in more detail.

Massage techniques and techniques are actively developing and improving

1. Oriental massage

A distinctive feature of the eastern system from classical massage is the technique of execution. Oriental massage is aimed at giving flexibility to the joints. As a rule, oriental massage is performed not only with hands, but also with feet.

1. Swedish massage

A distinctive feature of Swedish massage is stretching of muscles and neurovascular bundles.

1. Finnish massage

The Finnish system mainly uses the kneading technique with the pad of the thumb. This system is used in medical and sports practice.

1. Russian massage

Thanks to talented Russian scientists, the Russian massage system has received its calling not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders. At the end of the 19th century, centers for training specialists in massage art began to be organized in Russia.

The story is very interesting and fascinating. Massage is a subtle and delicate science that each of us must master. The modern world has a positive effect on our lives, but not always good on our health. The massage is aimed at eliminating these problems, which will certainly lead to the world of beauty and health.