A BRIEF HISTORY OF MASSAGE THROUGH TIME, PART I.

This article is made possible by: Bart van den Fonteyne, Andrea Calonzo and Olivier van Asseldonk

DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING A CREDIBLE ACCOUNT ONLINE

I wanted to write about the history of massage because I am curious to know about how massage has evolved through time. I thought it was just going to be simple, but one research led me to read another, and another. In so doing, there were instances when there were inconsistencies and I had to choose the account of the more credible source.

So, it is difficult to talk about the history of massage and summarize it in just a short blog post because massage has been part of humanity since the earliest civilizations. As a result, I am breaking this blog into three parts.  

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MASSAGE

The way I see it, massage has been a part of both the arts and sciences.

Arts, because it has been embedded in the various traditions of different cultures across the world. Each culture has its own unique style, and executions.

Science, because healing practitioners in the ancient world, and the medical profession in the modern world (particularly in United States) have searched for methods by which they could help people ease pain from muscle discomfort, among others and relied directly or indirectly on traditional methods, like massage.

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD MASSAGE

According to Harvard Medical School, in its article posted in 1 September 2006, the term “massage” was derived from the Greek word meaning “to work with the hands, as in kneading dough”. Reference was further made to Hippocrates in 400 B.C. who wrote that the physician must be experienced in many things, especially in rubbing.

HOW MASSAGE DEVELOPED IN ASIA IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

In Ancient India and China, massage had been practiced for thousands of years dating back up to 3,000 BC. In the book Theory and Practice for Therapeutic Massage: Fifth Edition by Mark Beck (hereinafter to referred as “the Book”), massage and the context in which massage is known today had several differences from those in the ancient times, although “the practice of some of its techniques” can be traced back to antiquities.

The Book has further discussed, “Touching or rubbing the part of the body that is physically wounded or painful is an instinctive thing to do to obtain relief. In the ancient times, massage was seen not only as a pain reliever but to improve sense of well-being.

In many groups, a special person such as the healer or the spiritual leader or the town doctor to administer healing power, massaging muscles, and rubbed herbs, oils and various substances on their bodies as healing and protective agents.”  

HISTORY OF MASSAGE IN THE ANCIENT WORLD BASED ON THE BOOK, AMONG OTHERS

The below information are excerpts of the Book and a few articles I found online that gave me more or less an idea about how massage originated and how it developed back in the ancient times across different cultures. I also made a lot of references made from the Book as this is all-comprehensive.

HOW CHINESE MASSAGE WAS FOUNDED

According to an article published in 1 July 1986 in Ancient Science of Life pages 24-29 that I found from the National Library of Medicine (a peer reviewed medical science journal) entitled “Chinese Massage and the Introduction of Massage into China before the 8th Century” by Li Jing Way, the origins of Chinese massage can be traced back to primitive society as early as 5,000 years. People were already aware that wet surroundings caused widely spread diseases of joints, and that dancing, a form of ceremony for celebrating victories, could cure such diseases. Dancing was then developed with characteristics of Chinese massage.  

From that same article, it discussed further that as early as 3000 years ago, specialists in massage in Ancient China had already existed. Li Jing Way further cited biographies of Bianque and Changgong written by a historian called shima Qian who recorded: “I heard that doctor Yu Fu treated patients without using decoction and wine but acupuncture, massage, exercises and hot compress in ancient times”.

This story, said the writer further, was told by a certain Zhong Shuzi, an attendant of the prince of Guo State, who was suspicious of doctor Bianque’s compatibility of curing the crown prince’s severe shock.

The writer also claimed that during 7th and 8th century A.D., traditional Chinese massage developed prosperously and fast, meanwhile Indian massage was introduced and incorporated into the sea of Chinese massage.

ANCIENT EGYPT AND REFLEXOLOGY

In Ancient Egypt, evidence of massage was found in the tomb of Ptahhotep, who is depicted as having a manicure and pedicure and having legs massaged by a servant, according to Ancient Egypt Online.  “Some authorities consider this the earliest positive record of reflexology,” claimed the article.

MASSAGE IN OTHER PARTS OF ASIA IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

The Book had also run through several histories of massage that developed in the ancient world among different parts of the world, the excerpts of which are show below.

It said that in Japan, practice of anmo method of massage entered Japan around the sixth century. The points of stimulation remained much the same as the Chinese pressure points but were called tsubo.  These points are pressed to affect the circulation of fluids and Ki and stimulate nerves in a finger pressure technique that the Japanese called shiatsu.

It further claimed that massage had been practiced on the Indian subcontinent for more than 3,000 years. Knowledge of massage came to India from the Chinese. The Ayur-Veda (Art of Life) in 1800 B.C. included massage treatments among its hygienic principles.

HOW MASSAGE DEVELOPED IN EUROPE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES

From the East, the practice of massage spread to Europe, explained in the Book further, and is thought to have flourished well before 300 B.C.  The Greeks made gymnastics and the regular use of massage a part of their physical fitness rituals.  The gymnasium and baths, the Book claimed, became important centers where philosophers and athletes gathered to exercise and discuss ideas.

Another important excerpt to note from the Book is that in the 5th century, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, understood the effects of massage. He said: “Hard rubbing binds, much rubbing causes parts to waste, and moderate rubbing makes them grow. Scholars have interpreted this to mean that rubbing can help bind a joint that is too loose or loosen a joint that is too tight. In his writings, Hippocrates used the word anatripsis, which means the art of rubbing a part upward, not downward.  He stated that it is necessary to rub the shoulder after reduction of a dislocation.

The Romans acquired the practice of therapeutic bathing and massage from the Greeks, claimed by the Book. A brisk rubdown with fragrant oils could be enjoyed after the bath. The art of massage was also highly respected as a treatment for weak and diseased patients, and as an aid to remove stiffness and soreness from muscles, said the book further.  Greek and Roman philosophers, statesmen and historians such as Cicero, Pliny, Plutarch, and Plato wrote about massage and exercise and why it is important to maintain a healthy body and mind.

THE DARK AGES

I found it also interesting to note how the Book claimed that after the fall of the Roman empire, beginning A.D. 180, popularity of bathing and massage also declined. The Book cited Richard van Why who said: “The Roman emperor Constantine (A.D. 228-337) who converted to Christianity, abolished and destroyed the baths and gymnasiums because of widespread abuse of a sexual nature.”

During the Dark Ages in the Middle Ages, both the sciences and the arts suffered severe setbacks. Few medical or historical books were written, said the book further, and much recorded history was lost. The Book claimed that this is partly because of wars but also because of religious superstitions.

TO BE CONTINUED…