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Massage is among the earliest remedial practices
of humankind. It is the most natural, instinctive method of
relieving pain and discomfort. When a person has sore, aching
muscles or is wounded, touching, pressing and rubbing the affected
area is the most instinctive means of obtaining relief. According to
research, nearly all ancient cultures practiced some form of touch
or massage. Many groups elected a particular person to administer
the healing powers. In these groups, therapeutic massage was used as
a pain reliever, but also to improve the sense of well-being and
physical appearance.
The practice of therapeutic massage has been a
major part of medicine for 5,000 years and has played an important
role in Western medical traditions for at least 3,000 years. Being
the first and most important of the medical arts, it was practiced,
developed and taught primarily by physicians. Unfortunately, the
dawn of the 20th Century brought about the decline of massage as
acceptable medical treatment for several reasons. During the 19th
Century the practice of massage became so popular that a multitude
of irresponsible schools and practitioners sprang up, eventually
bringing about false certification, misleading advertising and
exorbitant, untrue claims. This ultimately destroyed the reputation
of massage among physicians and the general public. At the same
time, intellectual and technical discoveries brought about new
treatments based on pharmacology and surgical procedures. Gradually,
the old ways of treating disease through diet, exercise and bathing
gave way to these seemingly more sophisticated methods. Massage was
no longer a part of the physicians’ training, nor did they employ
those who did practice massage. Consequently, massage was reduced to
a back rub, courtesy of Mom or a kind nurse.
During the mid-1900’s, an increased
awareness of overall fitness and well-being, combined with
continuously increasing "traditional" medical care,
brought about a renewed interest in health care alternatives. The
emphasis has gradually shifted to prevention, controlling stress and
advocating the value of massage. The proven value of massage for use
in pain treatment, as well as the psychological benefits of touch,
has marked the return of massage to a place of importance in health
care. Today, there are a growing number of schools offering training
and associations developing professional licensing standards. With
each passing year massage is regaining the respect of the general
public and the health care profession. So the next time you have a
stressful week or an aching back, don’t accept it as part of life.
Go get a massage!
(Reference source: Theory and Practice of
Therapeutic Massage, by Mark F. Beck)
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