The origins of the targeted use of massage for healing are very likely in Eastern Africa and Asia (Egypt, China, Persia). The first mentions are found in the Chinese Huáng Dì, who described massage strokes and gymnastic exercises as early as 2600 BC. In connection with essential oils and herbs, there is also early evidence in the Indian health teachings and healing art, Ayurveda. Through the Greek physician Hippocrates (about 460 – 370 BC) and his medical school, massage came to Europe. It was later used intensively for the rehabilitation of gladiators in the Roman Empire. The so-called “Swedish Era” in the field of manual therapy began with Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839). He first worked as a gymnastics and fencing instructor, and in 1813 he founded the “Central Institute for Therapeutic Gymnastics and Massage” in Stockholm, where he taught his views on massage and gymnastics. The hand strokes he developed were called “rubbing, pressing, tucking, chopping and kneading”.

Classic massage affects the skin and vessels as well as the muscles and nervous system. Even soft rubbing or smooth strokes lead to a reddening of the skin. This has effects on both, the capillaries (tiny arterial vessels), the superficial veins and also on the lymphatic system. The improved blood flow in the skin results in better blood flow in the muscles and the increased flow velocity of the blood contributes to the speedy removal of metabolic products. At the same time, the massage allows nutrients and oxygen to reach the cells quicker, so that their regeneration is improved. Due to the mechanical slipping of individual bundles of muscle fibers, muscles relax and they become elastic again.