The History of Massage: An Ancient Healing Practice

You may or may not be surprised to know that the history of massage is fascinating and spans millennia and many cultures.

The history of massage is a testament to the power of human touch.

In this article, we’ll delve into the history of massage, highlighting significant dates, influential figures, and crucial milestones that have shaped this ancient practice.

The earliest documented records of massage come from ancient China and Egypt.

These date as far back as 3000 BCE in China.

It was the Huangdi Neijing who first mentions the use of massage techniques around 2700 BCE.

Additionally, in Egypt, hieroglyphs in tombs illustrated the practice of massage for pain relief and relaxation.

The Definition of Huangdi Neijing:

**Huangdi Neijing literally translates to the Esoteric Scripture of the Yellow Emperor.

This is an ancient Chinese medical text or group of texts that has been treated as a fundamental doctrinal source for Chinese medicine for more than two millennia…**

Greek Influences from 500 BCE to 500 CE

Greek culture played a significant role in the history of massage.

Hippocrates, often referred to as the “Father of Medicine,” recognized the therapeutic value of massage and documented its benefits for health.

His writings on the topic laid the foundation for Western massage practices.

Find more about Hippocrates role in the history of massage HERE…

Roman Adaptation: 1st Century CE – 5th Century CE

The Romans adopted Greek medical practices and further popularized massage.

They developed their own unique techniques.

These included;

bathing in mineral-rich hot springs
utilizing various oils for massage

Roman baths, such as those in Pompeii, became centers of health and relaxation. Massage played a crucial role in these facilities.

The Middle Ages: 6th Century – 15th Century

During the Middle Ages, massage’s acceptance in Western cultures lessened.

This was primarily due to the influence of the Church. It still thrived in other parts of the world though.

In the Middle East, a Persian physician ( Known in the West as Avicenna and in the Middle East as Ibn Sina) wrote extensively about massage therapy. Avicenna thereby contributed greatly to massage’s continuation and development.

Renaissance and Revival: 16th Century – 18th Century

The Renaissance marked a resurgence in the healing arts, including massage.

Notable figures like the French surgeon, Ambroise Paré and Dutch physician, Johann Mezger, made significant contributions to massage therapy’s modernization.

Mezger, in particular, is known for his work in standardizing massage techniques.

Mezger is generally given credit for what we in the West know as “Swedish Massage”.

He even introduced the French terms such as effleurage and petrissage, which are still used today.

Recognition and Regulation 19th Century – 20th Century

The 19th century saw the global spread of massage therapy. Doctors began practicing informal types of massage sessions with their patients in their offices. Family members began rubbing each other’s shoulders.

It became a common practice for people across the globe to give and receive massages to make each other feel better.

It wasn’t until the 20th century though, that massage gained recognition as a legitimate therapeutic practice.