The History of Massage Massage Therapy (or some form of massage), has existed for many, many years. One of the earliest times where massage was mentioned was 2000 BC. It has been written about in many different cultures ranging from Persians, Egyptians and the Japanese. Archeologists have even found evidence of artifacts used for massage from various sites. The Chinese had well established the use of therapeutic massage, the applications and knowledge of massage from a time dating earlier than the Sui Dynasty (589-617 A.D.). There had been a great variety of people who have used massage including the Mayan people of Central America and the Incas of South America. The people of India have utilized massage for almost 3,000 years also.

Some of the famous people of the past who incorporated massage into their life are: Hippocrates of Cos (460-377 B.C.), Asclepiades (a greek physician), Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.) and Aulus Cornelius Celsus (a native Roman physician; 25 B.C.-50 A.D.). Most intriguing is the amount of interest Aulus Cornelius Celsus had in the art of massage that he wrote a series of 8 books called "De Medicina". He devoted 7 of these books pertaining to rubbing, anointing (with various oils), exercise and bathing to explain their uses as preventative and therapeutic aids. More recently was Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), who was credited for the development (not the creation) of the Swedish Massage. Followers of Dr. John Mezger used the french terms of effeurage, petrissage and tapotement which are still used today in Swedish Massage techniques. As time continued on, there were many more prominent people who were involved in bringing massage therapy to the forefront. It is now incorporated as an intricate part towards the healing of various types of injuries. As the people before us, those in the profession shall carry on the teachings of massage therapy so those generations that follow us shall have the opportunity to continue the art of manual manipulation called "Massage Therapy".