The History Of Massage

From early on in history, the massage was thought to have healing properties. The first recorded massage dates to before 2000 B.C. in old China. The first book written about massage was also from China. Written in apporximately 500 B.C., the book was title “The Yellow Emporer’s Classic Of Medicine”. It is still used today. The ancient Egyptians used massages for their pharohs, sometimes with gels. Emporers of China were subject to daily massages, and acupuncture if necessary. The Greeks used massages for wellness and sports. A massage was not uncommon in a Roman spas.

Later, in the middle ages, doctors and surgeons came back to the European World from the Far East with the knowledge of a message with gels to help their patients. However, the massage fell out of style in Western Europe with the Puritan movement. Massages were thought to be erotic, unclean, and a bodily pleasure, unfit for holy men. Fortunately, it never fell out of favor with Eastern Europe and Asian Cultures. Per Henrik Ling, a Swede in the early 1800s, invented the patented “Swedish Gymnastics”, now more commonly known as the more popular and famous “Swedish Massage”.

Today, massage therapy is a growing buisness. Many people in the high tech world require a proven technique to relieve stress. As medication can be costly, ineffective, and sometimes dangerous; many people enjoy the relaxation only a massage can bring.

One of the basics of massage is lubrication. Lubrication falls into one of these catagories: Oil, Lotion, Gel, Powder, Cream, or None.

The type and use of lubrication is a personal preference of the patient and the massage therapist, as well as the type of massage being performed. Lubricants have the option of being scented or unscented. The main purpose of a massage gel is to reduce friction during the massage. However, time has shown that the addition of enhancements to massage gels provide further benefits during the massage such as: scents, moisturizers and emollients, herbs/oils/spices for therapeutic and medicinal benefits.