A little bit of history
The practice of using touch as a healing method is rooted in an ancient history and dates back over 4000 years BCE in India. The first written records appeared in ancient China 2700 years BC, in “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic Book of Internal Medicine” that is considered a staple of massage therapy alternative medicine (acupuncture, acupressure and herbal remedies) . In India it was considered a sacred system of natural healing. In Ayurvedic “life health” medicine massage therapy was used to heal injuries, relieve pain, and prevent disease. The Egyptians added their own techniques to it, such as reflexology, which involves applying pressure to specific points or zones on the feet and hands for healing purposes. In Japan it appeared under the name “anma”, and then shiatsu. Thanks to the Swedish doctor Per Henrik Ling we have Swedish Massage technique to relive chronic pain. While our scientific knowledge has changed over the centuries, massage as a healing practice has not changed dramatically. It is still the most natural form of medicine that uses human touch to help with discomfort, illness, and stress relieve.