A Brief History of Massage
Massage is one of the oldest recorded forms of body care, with roots stretching back more than 5,000 years across multiple civilizations. Early references appear in ancient China, where texts such as The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (circa 2700 BCE) describe hands-on techniques used to support circulation and physical comfort (Ma, 2013). In India, massage became intertwined with Ayurvedic tradition, emphasizing daily oil massage—abhyanga—as a routine practice connected to balance and longevity (Lad, 2002). Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings dating to approximately 2500 BCE also depict figures using manual techniques on hands and feet, suggesting that massage was already a familiar and valued practice (Calvert, 2002).
As massage spread westward, it took on new forms shaped by culture and philosophy. In ancient Greece, massage was closely linked to athletics and physical conditioning; Hippocrates, often called the father of medicine, famously wrote that “the physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing,” highlighting its role in maintaining bodily function (Hippocrates, trans. 1934). Greek practices heavily influenced Roman culture, where massage was incorporated into public bathhouses and daily routines. Roman physicians such as Galen documented specific techniques for relaxation and muscle preparation, although the association with luxury and excess eventually contributed to its decline following the fall of the Roman Empire (Beard, 2015).
During the Middle Ages in Europe, massage became less publicly visible but did not disappear. While formal medical institutions favored emerging religious and moral frameworks, hands-on bodywork continued quietly through midwives, folk practitioners, and familial traditions (Porter, 1997). Meanwhile, massage continued to evolve uninterrupted in Eastern cultures, particularly in China, Japan, and Thailand, where structured systems such as Tui Na, Anma, and traditional Thai massage were preserved and refined over centuries (Salvo, 2015). These traditions emphasized posture, pressure, and rhythm, forming the foundation for many modern techniques.
The modern resurgence of massage began in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in Europe, with the development of Swedish massage by Per Henrik Ling. Ling’s system combined anatomy, physiology, and structured movements, helping reposition massage as a credible therapeutic practice rather than a luxury (Benjamin, 2017). From there, massage gained acceptance in medical and wellness settings, eventually becoming regulated and standardized in many countries, including the United States during the 20th century.
Today, massage exists at the intersection of tradition and modern professionalism. While contemporary practice is informed by anatomy, ethics, and licensure requirements, it still carries the influence of ancient cultures that recognized the value of intentional touch. Each session reflects a lineage shaped by thousands of years of human experience—proof that while methods may evolve, the instinct to care for the body through skilled hands remains timeless.
References
Beard, Mary. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. New York: Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2015.
Benjamin, Patricia J., and Scott P. Tappan. Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques: Classic, Holistic, and Emerging Methods. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2017.
Calvert, Mike. “The History of Massage Therapy.” Massage Today, April 2002.
Hippocrates. Hippocratic Writings. Translated by W. H. S. Jones. London: William Heinemann, 1934.
Lad, Vasant. Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press, 2002.
Ma, Kan Wen. “The Roots and Development of Chinese Massage Therapy.” Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 33, no. 2 (2013): 145–152.
Porter, Roy. The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.
Salvo, Susan G. Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 2015.