massage defined

Massage therapy is the systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues. Through various touch techniques applied directly to the musculoskeletal system, all systems of the body are affected, such as the nervous, circulatory, digestive, and lymphatic systems. The goal of massage is to aid the body in healing itself and to increase health and well-being.

Massage is considered to be among the oldest of all treatments used by man. Records, dating back as far as 3,000 B.C., were made by the Chinese documenting its use. The ancient Hindus, Persians, and Egyptians used forms of massage for many ailments. Hippocrates, considered the 'father of medicine' in Western health care, advocated the use of massage and wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today, massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven to be a benefit to many chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, and accident injuries, such as whiplash. Massage helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.