|
Massage Massage is one of the eldest known medical disciplines. It is descended from ancient China and India where it was a part of religious rituals. First known reference about using massage as a medical treatment appeared approximately 3000 B.C in Chinese literary work of art Kung-Fu. In ancient Greece, massage was exceptionally important for athletes taking part in Olympic Games. It was not a massage as we know it today but more like oiling an athlete’s body with olive oil before competition. Oiling and rubbing body with olive oils were the first known surgeries which evolved to what we know now as classic massage. In ancient Rome chronicles we can find a note saying that Julius Cesar who suffered from neuralgia sciatica was treated with massage by stroking, pinching and pressing his aching body. It brings us to conclusion that ancient Greeks and Romans knew and understood the value of massage and adapted it as medical, athletic and cosmetic surgery. In some slavonic countries, and we know for sure that among the others in medieval Poland, there were steam baths where people after bath were clapped with rods for better blood flow. What is a massage? Massage is an affection of mechanical impulses on the human body tissues with passive manner of the treated person. Medical massage is a massage, which object is to improve patient’s psychophysical efficiency. It is adhibited in prophylactics, orthopaedics, neurology, gynaecology, paediatrics and internal medicine. |