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  Undoubtedly, the first massage was an early man rubbing a cramped leg after climbing a tree to escape a saber tooth tiger. We have an instinctive reaction to rub or hold the affected area to ease the pain. Early man probably soon learned that, while rubbing painful areas of his body, certain plants could be applied which would help to ease the pain and promote healing.  Massage is the systematic manipulation of the soft body tissues for therapeutic purposes.  Massage in its most basic form has been around as long as man, however today there are many highly specialized forms of massage all derived from these basic techniques.
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  Touch is one of the oldest known medical treatments known in the world. Touch therapy is described in the Ayer-Veda, the earliest known medical text from India (around 1800 B.C.), along with diet and exercise as primary healing practices of the time (Older, 1982).
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The History of Massage - Massage history from around the world.

Touch is one of the oldest known medical treatments known in the world. Touch therapy is described in the Ayer-Veda, the earliest known medical text from India (around 1800 B.C.), along with diet and exercise as primary healing practices of the time (Older, 1982). Hippocrates, in 400 B.C., described medicine as “the art of rubbing.” Older (1982) describes exotic uses of massage in contemporary cultures. He noted that in Samoa massage is used for every ailment from diarrhea to migraines using mixtures of plants, flowers from trees, roots and coconut milk. In Cuba, garlic and oil are applied to the stomach after “a meal lodged in the stomach where it causes pain and fever” (Older, 1982).

 THE WORD MASSAGE is from the Greek to knead; Sanskrit, Masch, to strike to press, to condense, and according to Graham "Massage: Reference Handbook of the Medical Sciences", includes "friction, kneading, manipulating, rolling, and percussion of the external tissues of the body in a variety of ways, either with a curative, palliative, or hygienic object in view." Friction, rolling, a form of deep kneading, and percussion, are produced by the action of many of the mechanical vibratodes. "Mechanical Vibration", M. L. H. Arnold Snow, M.D. 1912

Massage in China

The first documented descriptions of massage dating back to about 3,000 BC were discovered in China. Chinese Taoist priests practised ‘Qi Gong’ - meditative movement revealing and cultivating the vital life force. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the principle that every illness, ailment or discomfort in the body is due to an imbalance of ‘Qi’. In about 1,000 BC Japanese monks began to study Buddhism in China. They witnessed the healing methods of traditional Chinese medicine and took them back to Japan.

Massage in Japan

In Japan the practice of medicine mostly consisted of diagnosis and treatment with massage-type methods. The Japanese not only adopted the Chinese style, but also began to enhance it by introducing new combinations, eventually reaching a unique Japanese form called Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a Japanese word derived from ‘shi’ meaning finger and ‘atsu’ meaning pressure. It is a technique similar to that used in acupuncture but without needles and with extra movements involved.

Massage in India

Civilization in India also dates back to about 3,000 BC. Around 1,800 to 500 BC the Vedic Indian culture spread westwards towards the river Ganges. They developed a unique form of medicine know as Ayurvedic medicine. They wrote several great books that recorded their techniques. One called ‘Ayur Veda’ which means ‘the arts of life’, dates back to 1,700 BC and describes some simple massage and herbal treatments for various conditions.

Massage in Egypt

reflexology

Ancient Egyptian drawings show people massaging each other's feet. It has been practiced by people of Eastern cultures for over 4,000 years. REFLEXOLOGY now is enjoying widespread support in North America. It is part of a holistic approach to body healing. It offers a hopeful vision of help and relief, aside from conventional methods.

Nature designed our feet for walking on uneven and rough ground, thus massaging our feet to keep our bodies healthy. REFLEXOLOGY is based on the principle that our nerves or zones end at the bottom of our feet. These zones or reflex points go from the bottom of our feet to the top of our head, encompassing all vital organs on the way. When we press or massage a certain point on the bottom of our foot, we send energy, via that zone, to the corresponding area in our body. So we are helping our body to heal itself by balancing our energies. Tender zones or points may indicate that part of our body requires help or energy sent to it, via the reflex point.

Oils for massage
 
 
Oils have been used in massage treatments throughout history.  Homer wrote about an oily medium used for massage as early as 1000 B.C.  Plato and Socrates wrote of anointing with oil and rubbing to ease pain. Today there are many types of oils with many uses.  It is necessary to experiment with the many types and try them on a variety of skin types to develop your own sense of use and personal preference. The purpose of using oil in a massage is to facilitate the gliding over the client's skin.  The various oils contain ingredients for nourishing the skin and promoting health.  Essential oils (fragrant oils distilled from plants, trees, roots, seeds) can be added for further enhancing the treatment. When buying oils, look for cold-pressed or expellier-pressed ( made with the least amount of heating and processing) as they last longer.  ( A rancid oil can cause free radical damage to your self and client.)  Keep large quantities of oils refrigerated or in a cool place (below 65 degrees) when not in use to delay spoilage.
Vitamin E added each month to the oil will help prevent spoilage.  Use about 300 IU of vitamin E per pint of oil. A rancid oil will have an unusual smell to it and taste bitter.
These are the basic oils and can be used in combination or alone.  Essential Oils can be added for additional
therapeutic purpose.