The origins of massage therapy are unknown, but it has been around a very long time and is most likely the oldest therapy known to man. Many ancient civilizations used massage as part of their health procedures, and in the Middle and Far East massage therapy has been in use since 3000BC, and possibly even longer.

Hippocrates, who is known as the Father of Medicine wrote that the way to good health was to have an oiled massage each day.

Masseurs still use oils no matter which form of massage they use, this allows the hands to move over the body with ease. Often essential oils are used either for their health or relaxation benefits.

These oils when massaged into the skin are absorbed into the body's bloodstream and other fluids to work internally. This has been shown by scientists, whose research shows that the oils can penetrate the skin, maybe through the sweat pores or the hair follicles.

Massage therapy has long been popular in the Middle East, but it was thousands of years before it reached the West. When it did reach the Western world it was only the wealthy who could afford to use this type of treatment.

Massage became so popular that Western forms of massage were developed. The Swedish gymnast Per Henrik Ling developed what we now know as Swedish massage, although it is still based on ancient massage principles. Swedish massage involves the use of exercise as well as massage, and is mainly used for the benefit of joints and muscles.

By the 20th century massage had become very popular in the west, and had spread over to America. As it became more affordable to people its popularity spread quickly. In America a book was publish called The Massage Book, this was a book that covered not just massage but how to look at the body holistically.

Hippocrates 460-400BC always looked at the body holistically, that is he always took into account the mind,body and spirit when treating someone.

The massage process relaxes the body, mind and spirit. On the physical level, massage increases the circulation of blood around the body, which in turn help get rid of accumulated waste, so releasing harmful toxins from the body.

As massage relaxes the muscles and releases tension from the body, the person is able to relax and let go of all the stresses of everyday life. This in its self is a hugh benefit to the body, as endorphins are released creating the feel good factor, the persons spirit is lifted and they feel wonderful.

It is believed, particularly in the traditional medicines of China and India that energy flows through meridian lines all through the human body. Stress can cause a blockage of this energy and massages may be given to allow the energy to once again move freely round the body. It has to be said that western medicines does not recognise the existence of these meridian lines.

Although massage was on the edge of conventional medicine for a long time it has now been accepted by the majority of practitioners of conventional medicine. Massage therapy is also often offered as part of a patients treatment in American hospitals.

Although hospital do now use massage therapy as part of their treatment of patients it's usage is somewhat limited. The uses range from stress relief, management of chronis pain, and easing joint and muscle problems for greater mobility.

New research suggests that massage therapy helps to boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and manage pain.

It is good to see massage therapy crossing over from the alternative medicine field to the mainstream as this means that many more people are able to experience the benefits of this very versatile form of treatment and therapy.