History of massage
Massage as a remedy originated along with other types of traditional medicine in ancient times. We can even say that even before the origin of man, because some of the actions of animals (licking, etc.) can with good reason be attributed to a kind of massage.
In its original form, i.e. as a simple rubbing, stroking, massage emerged as a remedy at the dawn of human development. People, having no other means of influence, in various life situations resorted to the only means that was available to them - the hands. So, according to legend, in an effort to relieve pain, they rubbed and beat the site of injury.
Massage is a method of treatment and prevention of diseases, which is a combination of methods of mechanical action on various parts of the human body surface, produced by the hands of a massage therapist or (less often) by special devices. Massage, being a physiological method for the human body, in combination with physiotherapy exercises (LFK), medication, physiotherapy, surgical methods is widely used in various fields of clinical medicine, spa treatment, in the system of medical rehabilitation, in rehabilitation clinics, in sports and also for hygienic purposes.
Massage is one of the types of specialized care widely used in the treatment of various diseases, injuries and their consequences.
The beginning of the use of massage is lost in the mists of time. Improvement of techniques, techniques, methods of massage continues at the present time.
After all, if the human anatomy has not changed for millennia, then the understanding of the essence of diseases is radically changing in connection with the progress of medical science, therefore, the use of massage only by the anatomical principle is ineffective. However, for the correct implementation of the massage technique, knowledge of anatomy, therapy, cardiology, neuropathology, endocrinology, physiotherapy, sports medicine, gerontology and other fields of medicine is certainly necessary
For many years, massage techniques were based on empirical ideas and practical experience, and special clinical and physiological observations were few. The massage techniques were based on the anatomical and topographic principle, without taking into account the essence of the disease.
The attempts of philologists to find out the origin of the word "massage" speaks of a very ancient existence of this concept. So, some authors believe that massage is the French word "massage", formed from the verb "masser" (to rub), which in turn is borrowed from the Arabic language: "mass" - to touch, feel. Others believe that the word "massage" comes from the Sanskrit "makch", the third - from the Greek "masso" (to squeeze with your hands), the fourth - from the Latin "massa" (sticking to the fingers), fifth - from the Hebrew "wave" (to feel) ... All these terms, each in its own way, to some extent reflect the essence of massage techniques. Obviously, the initial use of massage was instinctively stroking, kneading and rubbing bruises, stretching healing wounds and other parts of his body. Massage was used by many tribes and nationalities inhabiting our planet, in the process of religious rituals for expelling evil spirits and sacred ablutions, anointing and rubbing the body with various oils and compounds.