History and Development of Wellness Massage

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the historical evolution of massage from ancient civilizations to the development of modern techniques and professional organizations.

Earliest evidence of massage

Cave drawings and paintings by ancient cave dwellers showing people massaging each other, alongside artifacts with traces of fats, oils, and herbs.

Chinese massage (around $3000\,BC$)

Practiced to cure ailments and improve general health, as recorded in various books and documents found in the British Museum.

The Cong Fau of Tao-Tse

An ancient Chinese book containing lists of exercises and massage techniques used to improve general health and well-being.

Amma

Special pressure techniques developed by the Chinese on specific points, representing the beginning of acupressure and acupuncture.

Tsubo

The Japanese name for specific pressure points, used in a massage form that evolved into what is now known as shiatsu.

Ayur-Veda (The Art of Life)

A sacred Hindu book written around $1800\,BC$ that describes how shampooing and rubbing were used to reduce fatigue and promote cleanliness.

Egyptian and Persian massage

Used for cosmetic and therapeutic effects; Cleopatra is noted for being massaged with aromatic oils and creams after bathing in milk.

Holistic approach

The Greek belief in the cultivation of a healthy mind and body through rituals of bathing, massage, exercise, and dancing.

Herodicus ($500\,BC$)

A Greek physician who used massage with oils and herbs to treat medical conditions and diseases.

Hippocrates

The father of medicine and pupil of Herodicus who recorded that massage should be performed with pressure in an upward direction toward the heart.

Ancient Roman baths

Large public and private facilities including water baths, steam rooms, and massage areas used for cleansing, relaxing, and socializing daily.

Dark Ages ($500\,AD$ to $1400\,AD$)

A period following the decline of the Roman Empire where little value was placed on education, the arts, physical health, or fitness.

Renaissance ($1450\,AD$)

Meaning 'rebirth,' a period where interest in the arts and sciences flourished, leading to a renewed interest in therapeutic health practices.

Ambroise Paré ($1517-90$)

A French surgeon and personal physician to four kings who graded massage into gentle, medium, and vigorous categories.

Per Henrik Ling ($1776-1839$)

A Swedish physiologist who developed 'Swedish Remedial Gymnastics' and defined terms like effleurage, petrissage, vibration, and friction.

Dr Johann Mezgner ($1839-1909$)

A Dutch physician who adapted massage techniques based on anatomy and physiology, helping to establish it as a medical practice.

John Grosvenor ($1742-1823$)

An English surgeon who recommended massage for the treatment of joints, rheumatism, gout, and stiffness.

Society of Trained Masseuses ($1894$)

Founded by a group of women in England to establish rules for training and examinations to make massage a reputable profession.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

The final title adopted in $1943$ for the professional body that evolved from the Society of Trained Masseuses.

State Registration ($1964$)

The year members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy became state registered, protecting the status of qualified therapists in hospitals.

City and Guilds of London Institute ($1966$)

The organization that explored and established recognized professional qualifications for beauty therapy and massage.