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When a person bumps, hurts or pulls a muscle, when a headache or stomachache plagues him, he instinctively rubs and kneads the affected area. Massage is considered one of the oldest and most direct healing methods known to man. It relieves pain and has a direct effect on the tissue. It can heal – or simply relax.

The oldest massage instruction in the world
People in ancient China already knew about the healing effects of massages. The first instruction was written about 2400 before Christ. It is found in the book of Emperor Huang Di from China, which is one of the oldest sources of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the course of the following centuries, massage techniques from China conquered the entire Asian region.

Massage was also known very early in Egypt, as shown for example by relief depictions, which were probably created in 2300 BC. From here, massage came to Europe: the Greek physician Hippocrates, who is considered the father of Western medicine, recommended the use of massage as a therapeutic tool to his students.

The Romans developed sports massage in the gladiator schools and enjoyed an early form of wellness in their baths. After the fall of the Roman Empire, however, massage fell into oblivion in Europe.

It was not until the 16th century that the physician Paracelsus again propagated massage as a medical remedy. But massage was really rediscovered and further developed in Europe only three centuries later, especially by the Swede Pehr Henrik Ling. He created the classical (or Swedish) massage by systematically subdividing the known massage strokes.

Finally, in the 20th century, there was a real massage boom with new types of methods such as reflexology, connective tissue and periosteal massage. The demand for massages increased. New professions were formed – and physiotherapists and masseurs were soon massaging instead of doctors.

Direct massage techniques
Some massages act directly on the affected area, others indirectly through reflexes. The classical massage according to Ling follows the direct approach, it acts mainly on the muscles. The masseur moves the individual fiber bundles against each other. This loosens the tensions in the tissues and increases mobility. The massage promotes blood circulation and stimulates metabolism.

Classic massage can help with muscle tension, spasms, paralysis and rheumatic diseases. It is also used after injuries and operations on the musculoskeletal system. Physiotherapists even treat breathing disorders and chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa with massage.

Another direct form of massage is lymphatic drainage: the masseur removes stored tissue water from the body via the lymphatic channels. This technique is used for edema, venous disorders and diseases of the lymphatic vessels.

The effect of many direct massages has been scientifically proven. Therefore, the health insurance often covers the costs in case of an appropriate diagnosis. Whether indirect massages have a positive effect on health is not clearly proven. Therefore, the costs for these are also not always covered.

Indirect massage techniques
However, despite the lack of medical evidence, many people around the world rely on indirect, reflexology massages. The best-known indirect massage technique is reflexology.

The basic concept behind it: Energy pathways, called “meridians” in traditional Chinese medicine and “nadis” in India, run through the entire body. Life energy flows through these. Different points on the skin are said to be connected to certain organs – or so the theory goes. This enables the therapist to use massage to treat parts of the body that are located inside the body and are therefore actually inaccessible.

Many massage techniques from the Asian region take into account the reflective effect. Massages here are often considered part of a holistic system that also includes other aspects such as nutrition and detoxification. The Asian massages offered in Germany are often more wellness – and less a healing procedure.

Various massages from Asia
Tuina is a medical massage of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the most populous country in the world, this technique has a high value. The massage acts not only directly on the muscles, ligaments and joints, but also reflexively on the internal organs through the meridians.

Thai massage includes many elements derived from yoga. The masseur stretches, stretches and presses the different parts of the body. He works the ten selected energy lines intensively with the heels of the hands, thumbs, knees, elbows and feet.

Acupressure is a finger pressure massage based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is related to Shiatsu, which originated in Japan. The basic idea behind it is to let the life energy, the Chi, flow freely and harmoniously. The pressure that the masseur applies with his fingers is intended to release blockages caused by stress or illness. Acupressure is also used for pain, nervousness, and states of exhaustion. It is also called “acupuncture without needles”.

Massage techniques from around the world
Lomi Lomi comes from Hawaii and means something like: “press, knead, rub”. It is a very intense massage that the masseur performs mainly with the elbow and finger bones. This is to relieve the body of stress, anxiety and tension.

Hot stone massage is based on a tradition that was common among the indigenous peoples of North America. The masseur heats smooth black lava stones to 50 degrees and places them on specific energy points on the body. The heat is said to relieve hardening. Afterwards, the tensions are loosened by pressing and kneading – sometimes the stones are used for this purpose.

The singing bowl massage: The therapist puts Indian singing bowls on the stagnation points of the body. He strikes the bowls. The vibrations that are created are supposed to relax the body. The small bowls produce high sounds, they are used in the head and neck area; the large singing bowls have a deeper sound and are placed, for example, on the abdomen.

Self-massage in everyday life
For a massage you usually need a masseur or masseuse. But it can also be done without:

Tension in the head area can be relieved by pressureful, circular movements of the fingers on the scalp – as when washing the hair. Massaging the temples can relieve headaches.

Eyes are tired and heavy. But there is a trick to help stay awake: To do this, slowly stroke six times with pressure below the brows from the root of the nose to the temples.

If the neck is tense, the following self-massage can help: Place the hands around the neck so that the fingertips touch at the spine. Then, while exhaling, pull the fingers forward toward the collarbone with a little pressure. To inhale, the fingers pull back toward the back of the neck. The exercise should be repeated six times.

Those who are stressed could try acupressure. Here’s how it works: the thumb of the right hand presses next to the joint of the thumb of the other hand. Every ten seconds, reduce the pressure – and press again. This exercise should also be repeated six times on each hand.

When the circulation is in the basement: half a minute with the right thumb nail sideways against the nail bed of the little finger of the left hand.