Massage therapy is recognised as one of the oldest methods of healing,
with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old.
Massage therapy has evolved from simply rubbing someone's body to the application of various
techniques to the muscular structures and soft tissues
of the body that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding,
vibration, rocking, friction, kneading and compression using primarily
the hands.
All of the techniques
are used for the benefit of the musculoskeletal, circulatory-lymphatic,
nervous, and other systems of the body. In fact, massage therapy positively
influences the overall health and well-being of the client:
