In summary, the cultures of the ancient world utilized massage as a major part of their medical techniques. As time passed, the method of human touch continued to be an integral part of health care practice and quickly grew to be a legitimate form of medical treatment.
The roots of modern, science-based massage therapy began with Per Henrik Ling. After curing himself of rheumatism in the arm, this versatile Swedish doctor, gymnast, and fencing master developed a therapeutic system that included both massage and exercise ("History Modalities" 3). In 1813, Ling founded the Royal Central Gymnastic Institute to make his new system available to the public. Ling's "Swedish movement cure" was based on a study of gymnastics and physiology and later became known as Swedish massage ("Massage Therapy" 1). Scientific massage therapy was introduced to the United States in the 1850s when two physicians, brothers George and Charles Taylor of New York, returned from studying in Sweden. The technique of hands-on manipulation gradually gained credence and was widely used by doctors until the early 1900s ("Massage Therapy." 1). With the evolution of pharmaceutical, surgical, and technological medicine, the use of massage therapy eclipsed as physicians began to favor electrical instruments and new techniques. (Collinge 1). A small number of massage therapists carried on the practice of this labor-intensive therapy until the 1970s. While modern medicine continued its march toward higher technology and away from direct physician contact with patients, the concepts of holistic health, self-improvement, and optimal health experienced a rebirth (Collinge 1). Since then, there has been an increased demand for this healing therapy.
Although there are some eighty different types of massage therapy today, three particular categories are used the most frequently. The most popular of these is Traditional European Massage, featuring Swedish massage, the most widely-employed therapeutic technique in the world ("Massage Therapy" 2).
