Thoughts on the History and Impact of Massage

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Massage is one of the oldest forms of medicinal therapy in human society.  Hieroglyphs from ancient Egypt as far back as 2000 B.C. depict “healers” using hand and foot massage to help heal the sick. Massage has been written about in books from as early as 500B.C. and can be found in the histories of countless cultures from around the world including China, Persia, India and the Americas. It is an art and a science that uses the application of touch to promote healing in the recipient’s body. And it works. In ancient Rome bath houses were established as places of healing. Hydrotherapy and massage were commonplace. The ancient Chinese developed detailed maps of points on the body called Qi Points that when pressed would help promote healing of ailments and conditions far more complex than anything the world had seen.

Have you ever had a massage? If you have, then you know how a little really can go a long way towards relieving stress and reducing pain. But the benefits go beyond that to a deeper level that can only be accomplished through making a connection with your own body. What I mean by this is that when you receive massage, you are put in a position wherein you become aware of your own body in a way that you never have before. You feel the soreness of the muscles that perform the myriad of tasks we all complete every day melt away. You understand, maybe for the first time, the relief you feel from the chronic stress we all carry from our lives. At the very least, you see what it is like to take a few moments to stop moving through the proverbial rat race and do something that is actually good for you. This is powerful stuff.

What I find most amazing about massage therapy is that it draws its strength from the simple yet powerful use of touch. Something as simple as a gentle touch to give comfort or the kneading of a sore muscle with your fingers can elicit amazing results. When we consider the history of medicine as we know it from Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, to the development of field hospitals during the Civil War to modern day rehabilitative methods, massage therapy has always been there. It’s interesting that massage and its related therapeutic applications are known as alternative therapies, when they are in fact the originals.

Given the rising costs of healthcare, many people are turning back to traditional forms of healing. I highly recommend that you find a massage therapist in your area and schedule one today. You can find reputable massage therapists through the recognized professional organizations such as the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) at www.amtamassage.org or through the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) at www.abmp.com .  There are other organizations, and I do not promote one over the other, but I have a membership with these two, and I know them to be professional and reliable.

Massage therapy in many states is gaining recognition through licensure and certification. Both of which I will talk about further in future articles. For now, just know that getting a massage from a licensed professional massage therapist is more than getting a good back rub. It is engaging in a therapy that is so effective it has stood the test of time.

In Good Health,

Kevin Pierce

Kevin Pierce is the national Director of Massage Therapy for Anthem Education Group and serves on a number of professional boards in the massage therapy profession. Kevin is currently scheduled to speak at the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professional School Issues Forum in Alexandria, VA April 22, 23, see here for details http://www.abmp.com/school_administrators/forum/