Massage can be defined as a systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body of the purpose of maintaining health. The history of massage and healing touch is long and complex, with more than 75 different types of massage and bodyworks. Historical evidence indicates that massage has been practiced for thousands of years in all parts of the world. I’ll explain the comparison of the development of massage in the eastern and western traditions, role of Hippocrates, Galen, Ling, Metzger, Kellogg, Vodder, Travell & Cyriax in the development of massage in the western tradition, A comparison of Maori massage (miri miri & romi romi) with western massage, The massage scandals of the 1800s and their impact on the massage industry, The development of professional massage in New Zealand including MINZI,
NZATMP, TMA & MNZ, and discuss how the following philosophical approaches to massage (body, body-mind, body-mind-spirit) relate to the historical and cultural contexts discussed.
A comparison of the development of massage in the eastern and western traditions
Eastern massage had been handed down over generations from healers over 2500 years ago. In eastern massage there are similar forms of massage from different cultural backgrounds, all of which base their practice around energy and energy systems. Their energy work is based on the Traditional Asian Medicine Model of Health which involves the body-mind-spirit approach. Western massage is based around physiology anatomy and pathology.
These ways of massage were developed in different areas of the world at different times where there were many different beliefs on how the body works.
The role of Hippocrates, Galen, Ling, Metzger, Kellogg, Vodder, Travell & Cyriax in
the development of massage in the western tradition.
Hippocrates (460-375 BC): was known as the father of medicine because he was the first person to practice looking at techniques and analyzing there effectiveness. He was a follower of a new health and medicine concept which had taken place in the West. He also believed that illness had a physical and rational explanation. He also believed that Massage stroke should be directed toward the centre of the body toward the heart to get rid of waste products from the body.
Galen (130-201 AD): Was a physician and philosopher of Greek origin, the first to relate massage with anatomy and physiology. He related anatomy and physiology and contributed much of his early writing on massage.
Ling (1776 – 1839): blended massage with physiology. Ling is regarded as the Father of Swedish Massage. He believed Swedish gymnastics used properly would therapeutically influence movement in the body, and help those in need to overcome any discomfort of the body.
Metzger (1839 - 1909): was a Dutch physician who made massage an important component of physical rehabilitation. Introduced massage to those of the scientific community. Metzger also introduced the use of the names effleurage, Pétrissage and tapotment.
Kellogg (1952 - 1943): Helped make massage popular in America. He used massage and hydrotherapy and wrote numerous books on massage.
Vodder (1896 - 1986): developed Manual Lymph Drainage. Vodder pioneered lymphology using careful hand movements to stretch and twist the skin to promote lymph movement. Today this is called manual lymphatic drainage.
Travell (1901 - 1997): Was the first woman ever to serve as the White House Physician. She was an expert in diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain and introduced trigger point release.
Cyriax (1904 - 1985): Focused on the range of motion assessment and deep transverse friction. He developed the system off assessment for range of motion and was widely known as the father of Orthopaedic Medicine.
A comparison of maori massage (miri miri & romi romi) with western massage.
Miri Miriis is the traditional Maori approach for wellbeing it has been practiced by Maori for over 700 years. There are four aspects of Mirimiri. These include family health, physical health, mental health and spiritual health. If one of these is damaged or missing the person becomes unwell or unbalanced They incorporate physical massage, manipulation, energetic work, herbal medicine & counseling. Their treatments known as Miri Miri focus on the emotional/spiritual root of the problem.
Romi Romi is the use of elbows, hands, knees, feet, raaku (stick/wood), kohatu/toka (stones) and, moana (seawater), to do very deep tissue body work.
The massage scandals of the 1800s and their impact on the massage industry.
In the 1890’s massage had become well recognized, with this growth there was an increased demand for trained therapists. Consequently, there was an increase in training facilities and the market soon became saturated with therapists. Women with out a lot of money were encouraged into these positions, for the exchange of free training and future employment in the school clinics. The reputation of massage soon went downhill after the false advertising of massage parlors being associated with prostitution. Due to this prostitution problem the American Association of Masseurs & Masseuses was formed in 1943. There were specific educational requirements needed from anyone wanting to be accepted into this school. This school was taught at a very high standard, regular written and practical exams had to be completed during their training.
The development of professional massage in New Zealand including MINZI,
NZATMP, TMA & MNZ
The Massage Institute of New Zealand (MINZ) was formed in 1985 by Bill Wareham a massage therapist that contacted all the other massage therapists in Auckland city to arrange a meeting. The focus of MINZ was to have set standards, on-going education and annual conferences for further skill development.
In 1989 Jim Sanford formed The New Zealand Association of Therapeutic Massage Practitioners (NZATMP). He saw the need for a professional association for therapeutic massage practitioners in NZ. NZATMP would focus on education, professional image, distribution of information and to increase public awareness of the massage therapy industry.
In 1990's the name was changed from NZATMP to Therapeutic Massage Association (TMA). There was a change in focus on supporting and representing the needs of the qualified therapist, and being a voice for the massage industry.
MINZ & TMA joined together to create Massage New Zealand (MNZ) where all is working fine.
Contemporary massage
Contemporary massage developed from traditional techniques and from a physiological theory. These techniques are often referred to as bodywork. It is based on Swedish massage including trigger point release, myofacial release and lymphatic draining.
The following philosophical approaches to massage (Body, Body-Mind,
Body-Mind-Spirit)
Body massage is the physiological approach, where the massage treatment is focused on the body, taking in to account the effects that the body have within.
Body mind massage takes the clients way of thinking in to account as this can have an effect on the body. Body mind massage can also involve counseling and hypnosis .
Body, mind, spirit approach focuses on your actions that may lead to effecting you body, in incorporates a spiritual dimension into your health.
Massage is still a widely growing industry that has evolved greatly. Most of the techniques used in the past are still being used to date, i find this amazing and cant wait to see what the future has in store for us a massage therapists.
References:
Salvo, S. (2007). Massage Therapy Principles & Practice (3rd ed.). A Historical Perspective of Massage. Missouri: Saunders Elsevier
McQuillan, D. (2009). Fundamentals of Massage. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Polytechnic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability
www.krisprocter-massagetherapy.blogspot.com
http://anitasawesome.blogspot.com/
http://andreawereta.blogspot.com/
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