Understand the history and development of massage

• A&P
• Higher Education (non-degree)

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR SPORTS MASSAGE 

THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

SPORTS MASSAGE TREATMENTS

UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF MASSAGE

What are you going to learn?

In this lesson you're going to learn to . . .

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Summarise the history and origins of massage 

Explain the development of sports massage 

Explain how sports massage can complement other therapies and treatments

HISTORY & ORIGINS OF MASSAGE

Massage is based upon a universal intuitive instinct to rub areas that hurt. 

The word 'massage' comes from the Arabic root 'massa' which means to touch, knead or squeeze. 

HISTORY & ORIGINS OF MASSAGE

The Father of Medicine, Hippocrates is quoted as stating that physicians should be experienced in rubbing: 'for things that have the same name have not always the same effect. For rubbing can bind a joint that is loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid' and 'rubbing can make flesh, and cause parts to waste.' 

In the 16th century, Ambroise Paré, a French doctor to four different French kings, adopted a more anatomical and physiological approach and used a great deal of massage in his practice. 

Swedish physician Per Henrik Ling, considered to be the father of physical therapy, developed:

• The Swedish Gymnastic Movement System

• Swedish massage. 

The earliest written records of massage therapy were discovered in Egypt and China (approx. 3000 BC). 

For two thousand years, the Chinese have used Tui Na (better known as Oriental Bodywork Therapy) to treat pain in muscles and joints. Chinese massage techniques originate from the theory that diseases and illnesses happen because of a deficiency or imbalance in the energy in specific pathways, or meridians, which correspond to physiological systems. 

DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS MASSAGE 

First records show that the ancient Greeks used massage on athletes before and after sport. 

It was thought to help prepare the muscles before activity and remove extra fluid and metabolites after sport. 

DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS MASSAGE 

Galen of Rome (1 29-c.199 AD) prescribed sports massage for gladiators both before after exercise. Eventually Galen and his massage techniques were ministered to several Roman emperors including Julius Caesar.

Galen wrote 16 books on massage and gymnastics (remedial exercise), describing the pressure direction and frequency of massage treatments. 

DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS MASSAGE 

The modern history of sports massage started in Paris in 1924 at the Olympic games. Paavo Nurmi  from Finland brought his own personal massage therapist. 

Whilst competing in running competitions and with treatment between events was able to win an impressive 5 gold medals in one day,

He credited special massage treatment as one of the most important factors contributing to his success.

DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS MASSAGE 

While sports massage had a long history of use throughout the 20th century in Europe, it did not have quite the same rich history in America. 

Not until 1972 when an outstanding performance by Lasse Viren, a Finnish track and field competitor in the Olympic games being influential in the field of actual sports.

Viren credited deep friction sports massage to his incredible performances. 

Approximately what year were the earliest written records of massage therapy recorded?

1. 3000 BC
2. 3500 BC
3. 2000 BC
4. 2500 BC

The earliest written records of massage therapy were discovered in which country...

1. Sweden
2. Greece
3. Egypt and China
4. France

Which physician developed Swedish massage?

1. Per Henrik Ling
2. Paavo Nurmi
3. Ambroise Paré
4. Hippocrates

First records of using sport massage on athletes before and after sport originated from which country?

1. Sweden
2. Italy
3. France
4. Greece

Paavo Nurmi from Finland brought his own personal massage therapist at which Olympic games?

1. 1935
2. 1942
3. 1972
4. 1924

DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS MASSAGE 

Sports massage has evolved to combine and adapt a variety of techniques from a diversity of bodywork disciplines to help deal with the effects of intense physical exertion on the body. 

In the present day it’s used significantly in sports behind the scenes with the role of the sports massage therapist integral in maintaining optimum levels of performance and management of injury, 

The primary purposes of sports massage

Easing stiffness and pain in both muscles and joints 

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Increasing flexibility in soft tissue structures such as muscles 

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Improving mobility of joints 

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Physiologically preparing muscles before exercise 

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Helping the client in their recovery from physical exertion

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COMPLEMENTARY SPORTS MASSAGE 

Sports massage can also be used to support and complement other therapies.

Chiropractic, Osteotherapy, Physiotherapy

Reducing physical, physiological and psychological tension before addtional or other manipulative therapies. 

Palliative care

By relaxing the whole body, promoting restful sleep and reducing mental stress. Helping to optimise quality of life and mitigating suffering among people with serious, complex, and possible terminal illnesses.

Cognitive therapies

Aiding cognitive therapies such as counselling, psychotherapy and cogntitive behaviour therapy by promoting improvement in well-being and mental health.   

What you have learnt

Following this lesson you should now be able to . . .

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2

3

Summarise the history and origins of massage 

Explain the development of sports massage 

Explain how sports massage can complement other therapies and treatments

Well done! Great job, you have now completed this lesson. 

Next up...The fundamentals of sports massage treatments.