The word massage in Arabic means 'press softly' and in Greek means 'to knead'.

During this time massage was used all over China.

Asiatic men and women used aromatic oils and most civilisations have found benefits in rubbing the oils into the body to ease pain.

A Greek historian called Herodotus used massages and exercise for the treatment of disease.

Hypocrites, known as the father of medicine, used massage extensively. He stated that for it to more beneficial, the pressure should be applied towards the heart. He also declared:

Hard rubbing binds.
Soft rubbing loosens.
Much rubbing causes parts to waste.
Moderate rubbing makes them grow.

Galen was a doctor in Roman times who experimented with the effects of massage on the blood supply.

Ideas and opinions about massage flourished until…

Peter Henry Ling of Sweden founded the Swedish system of massage and introduced the terminology, which we use today. He encouraged knowledge of anatomy and physiology to go hand in hand with massage.

Towards the end of this century, Dr Meyger of Holland established massage as a reputable and acceptable form of treatment.

James B Mennell (1880-1957) of St Thomas Hospital recognised the value of massage and encouraged treatment in hospitals.

In 1920 a Royal Charter was granted to the Chartered Society of Massage and Medicinal Gymnastics (which is now known as Physiotherapy.)