Trends in Massage and Spa Therapy Part 1: A Brief History of Massage

When looking at the latest trends in spas with massage therapy, we can get a better perspective by first looking at the origins of massage. The use of the hands to alleviate pain is arguably the oldest healing form. Healing with touch is natural and instinctive: we immediately touch areas of discomfort and pain on our bodies with our hands without a thought. References to massage are present in all ancient cultures. These can be found in the Vedas from India (the oldest written records dating back over 4000 years), the oldest medical scripts from China (over 3,000 years old), texts from Persia and Egypt, and in both Greek and Roman culture. Hypocrites, the father of modern medicine believed “all physicians should be trained in massage as a method of healing.” As early as 50 BC public baths and massage for both rich and poor proliferated Rome. Here massage was employed to improve circulation, to aid with internal disorders, for both muscle soreness and strengthening, to alleviate headaches, to reduce edema, and formed an integral part of their gymnastics program.

Over the centuries the popularity of massage waxed and waned, in keeping with the overall cultural bent. In the Dark Ages, as the Roman Empire declined so did art, science and health practices such as baths and massage. From the time of the Renaissance, along with the rebirth of art and science, again massage and people’s interest in physical health was stimulated. In Europe massage became a standard part of medical practice. In 1800 Per Ling of Sweden developed the Ling (Swedish Movement) System, which spread throughout the world. In both World War I and II massage became even more important when it proved beneficial in the treatment of injuries.

Modern day massage has enjoyed explosive growth in the last 20 years. In the United State alone there are over 300,000 practitioners of touch therapies. There are over 1,000 massage schools in the US training over 40,000 new practitioners annually. The image of massage is changing as well. Whereas massage was once considered a service exclusively for the wealthy, almost 20% of the US population has had a professional massage. Massage therapy is now included under progressive HMO plans and as an accepted treatment for rehabilitation from auto and work-related injuries. Approximately 20% of massage therapists work in clinical setting: in medical, chiropractic and physical therapy centers. Spas, where massage has traditionally had a predominant presence, are now incorporating more wellness and educational programs to help empower their clients to deal with the stresses of modern day life. Chair massage is available in the workplace, at airports, shopping malls, street fairs and conventions. Massage therapy is a basic part of the training regimen for professional athletes in all major sports. Strangely enough, the United States is still far behind the trends in massage therapy in countries such as Japan, Canada, and most of Europe. Here the benefits of massage are recognized: massage is included with standard insurance coverage. Despite minimal insurance coverage in the US, more people are willing to pay out of pocket to receive the benefits of massage therapy. This consumer trend, along with studies showing the cost effectiveness of massage therapy for countering the effects of stress, reducing the incidence of injury and speeding recovery after trauma, will not only help massage stay a viable therapy, but will eventually force insurance companies to cover massage routinely.

Part 2 will cover the benefits of massage therapy.

Craig Lozzi is the co-founder of Fallbrook Wellness Spa. He has practiced massage professionally for over 25 years and is the originator of the Integrated Stone Massage. For more information he can be reached at the Spa: 760-723-8264 or

http://www.wellnessspa.com