38 Soothing Massage Facts

By James Israelsen, Associate Writer

Published November 19, 2020Updated December 31, 2024

Archaeologists discovered evidence that Tui na, a form of Chinese massage still widely used today, was being practiced as early as 2700 BCE._[10]
The first educational institution to offer a course on massage was the Royal Gymnastic Swedish Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, which added it to their curriculum in 1813._[6]
According to practitioners, shiatsu massages should always be given with the recipient lying on the floor rather than on a table or chair._[6]
Natural healers developed massage in India roughly 5,000 years ago_[4]
The ancient Chinese method of massage is recorded in The Yellow Emperor's Classic Book of Internal Medicine, a book written over 4,500 years ago._[4]
Egyptian tomb paintings dating to 2500 BCE depict the use of massage therapy for healing._[4]
Shiatsu originated in 1000 BCE, when Buddhist monks from China introduced massage therapy to Japan._[4]
Hippocrates, known as the "father of medicine," taught a form of massage called "friction" for the treatment of injuries._[4]

Ashiatsu takes balance and poise on the part of the masseuse

Ashiatsu is a form of massage in which the therapist uses their bare feet to massage the client's back._[8]
Ancient Romans could purchase massages as part of the "spa" treatment offered at public baths._[4]
In 17th-century America, women who assisted surgeons by giving massages to patients were referred to as "rubbers."_[4]
Many major airports around the world—including airports in Dubai, London, New York City, Amsterdam, and Vancouver—are home to spas that offer massage for weary travelers._[13]
There are a variety of different types of massage; the word itself refers to any pressing or rubbing of a person's skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments._[11]
People with blood disorders or who take blood-thinning medication, are often advised not to receive massages, as it may result in adverse effects._[11]
Because of its effects on cortisol, a mood-influencing hormone, researchers have recently been studying the uses of massage for a range of mental health conditions._[3]
A 2016 study indicates that Swedish massage can have powerful positive effects on individuals with generalized anxiety disorder._[3]
Because Swedish massage, which is more gentle than deep tissue massage, is the most commonly used, it can sometimes be referred to as a "classic massage."_[9]
Although rare, there have been enough reported cases of strokes triggered by massage treatments given at spas that the medical community has nicknamed it "beauty parlor stroke syndrome."_[7]
Studies show that breast cancer patients can experience reductions in depression and insomnia as a result of regular massage therapy._[3]

You are on them all day, after all

Foot massage therapy has been shown to help improve the mental health of older women with serious health problems._[3]
In 2018 in Louisiana, a massage therapist was murdered by a client who claimed she tried to steal his belongings—although text messages suggest the therapist never made it inside the client's house before he attacked her with a steel club._[5]
It has been estimated that there are currently over 360,000 massage therapists in the United States._[12]
Many states in America require massage therapists to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) in order to practice massage._[12]
Between the years 2005 and 2018 in the United States, massage therapy rose from being, at most, an $11 billion dollar industry to an $18 billion dollar industry._[1]
Massage has been found to be an effective treatment for people with anger and hostility issues._[3]
At least 48 million Americans received a massage between June 2018 and June 2019._[1]
If not done properly, shoulder and neck massages can cause the production of blood clots that can travel to the brain and trigger a stroke._[7]

Massage is most commonly sought after injury or to soothe pain

"Sports massage" is therapy that is specifically intended to prevent or treat sports-related injuries._[11]
Researchers have recently begun to discover several benefits of massage for people with autism spectrum disorder, including reductions in social and communication challenges._[2]
A massage can contribute to deeper and more restorative sleep, even when received several hours before going to bed._[15]
Masseuses gave the ancient Greek athletes who participated in the first Olympic Games free massages before and after each event._[14]
In the modern era, massage therapy was first offered to Olympic competitors at the summer games in Athens in 2004._[14]
Forty-three percent of Americans report getting a massage to help with pain management and other health issues, while only 29% say their massage was for relaxation._[8]
Massage has been shown to help with the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal._[8]
There are over 80 different types of massage being practiced throughout the world._[8]
Acupuncture, the use of needles to alleviate pressure, is considered to be a form of massage therapy._[8]
In cupping, massage therapists use suction cups to do deep tissue massage._[8]
Hot stone massages involve heating volcanic rocks to around 145 degrees Fahrenheit and placing them on the spine, chest, stomach, hands, feet, or face._[8]