As a massage therapist, you are not just a practitioner of a centuries-old profession but a crucial part of your client’s healing journey. Like the thousands of bodywork professionals in Australia and New Zealand, you provide pain relief and improved overall health and well-being to those who seek your services. This article looks at the history of therapeutic massage, provides suggestions to enhance client experiences and emphasizes the importance of self-care every professional should consider to avoid burnout and improve resilience. We hope every practitioner can have a successful and fulfilling career.
Historic Milestones
Therapeutic massage has a rich history with roots in the ancient Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Around 3,000 B.C. Ayurveda massage, a holistic medicine and healing technique incorporating herb-based essential oils, emerged in India. About 1,500 B.C., China developed a massage technique once known as “anma.” Later, Japan adopted it, known today as Shiatsu massage. As time passed, therapeutic massage grew in popularity, and the Ancient Romans and Greeks began to acknowledge massage for its positive healing effects. The Greeks used massage to get into peak conditions, leading to athletic competitions. Meanwhile, the ancient Romans used oil in their massage therapy practice. The average Roman frequented public bathhouses, while upwardly mobile Romans received private massage sessions at home. Massage continued in popularity in Rome until Emperor Constantine shut down bathhouses in the 5th century. Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine,” recommended friction therapy, fresh air, a healthy diet, exercise, and proper rest to promote healing.
The popularity of massage in the West slowly declined but then revived in the 1800s thanks to Swedish massage. This technique is one of the more popular forms available today and involves kneading, stroking, rubbing, and tapping muscles. Although many credit Pehr Henrik Ling, a Swedish physician, for inventing the popular technique, the real credit goes to Johann Georg Mezger for developing the core principles of Swedish massage:
● Effleurage: Long, gliding strokes
● Petrissage: Lifting and kneading the muscles
● Friction: Firm, deep, circular rubbing movements
● Tapotement: Brisk tapping or percussive movements
● Vibration: Rapidly shaking or vibrating specific muscles
Blending Traditional Hands-On Techniques with Modern Tools Bodywork therapists have always used specific tools to deliver a more intense and targeted massage to troubled areas. Around 2,000 to 1,500 B.C., Chinese bodywork professionals invented a jade instrument that could be heated or cooled to increase blood circulation and relieve tired, achy muscles. Other ancient massage tools were made from wood or animal bones. Today, wood is still used to create massage instruments that, despite their simplicity, offer many great benefits.
Wooden massage rollers relieve back pain by massaging along the spine. They also help with lymphatic drainage and muscle stimulation. What’s better, these wooden massage tools offer an even more intense experience when paired with modern massage techniques like trigger point therapy. Trigger point therapy is a newer massage technique that targets specific points that cause pain in different parts of the body. When combined with wooden massage tools, trigger point therapy efficiently spares fingers and, eventually, hands from fatigue. Massage guns are an excellent addition to the toolbox of any bodywork professional. Percussive massagers (or massage guns) simulate the experience of a Swedish massage by repeatedly delivering quick strikes to the body. In addition to relieving muscle tension and pain, these massage guns can also break up scar tissue. The first percussive massage gun came on the scene in 2008 and was invented by Dr. Jason Werseland, who invented the tool to recuperate from a motorcycle accident. Dr. Werseland’s invention was probably influenced by the findings of Robert Fulford, who developed Percussive therapy (P.T.) in the 1950s.
Enhancing Client Experiences Through Personalized Approaches
“Every person who comes in for treatment is [an] individual and has an individual personality and history,” says Jason Chong, Traditional East Asian Medicine Physician and College Director at Australian Shiatsu College. Every professional is intimately aware of this aspect of bodywork, but Dr. Chong takes this concept further. In East Asian medicine, the five elements – Earth, Water, Wood, Metal, and Fire are associated with personality, mood, body type, behavior, and illness. As a practitioner of East Asian medicine, Chong suggests matching a client’s personality type with these five elements to build rapport and develop a personalized massage session plan. Chong also believes that incorporating exercises, dietary approaches, and improving sleep can benefit clients in addition to massage therapy.
Understanding the Demands of Therapeutic Work
As a professional massage therapist, you have been given the gift of helping others repair their bodies. Unfortunately, “Massage therapy can be quite a physically draining profession for some people,” says Chong. “Part of that comes down to ergonomics and how we’re working and what sort of environment we’re placing ourselves in, especially when it comes to workload, how many clients we see a day, do we have sufficient breaks in between [clients]
.” The good news is that bodywork professionals can combat this risk by “exploring different ways that we can use different areas of our body to massage not just our thumbs, but using our palms, our elbows, our knees if that’s appropriate within our therapy.” By prioritizing self-care, you can significantly enhance your job satisfaction and resilience. This, in turn, will help you avoid burnout and unnecessary stress, ensuring you can continue to provide the best care for your clients.
To avoid mental burnout, Chong says it is vital to be aware of “where one’s energy and ability to show up in the treatment space is regularly.” Assessing your emotions and adopting a positive mindset can help you provide a great customer experience.
According to Chong, bodywork professionals must regularly practice disconnecting from their work environment to maintain mental health and engage in activities that refill their cups. Find things you enjoy doing in your downtime and schedule these activities for at least a few hours each week. Whether hanging out with friends and family, volunteering, cooking, or gardening, your relaxation time will recharge and revitalize you.
Bodywork practitioners belong to a noble profession that provides compassionate, holistic care. Ensuring clients have an optimal experience is crucial, but it’s equally important to prioritize self-care by maintaining an excellent work-life balance to avoid burnout. Self massage tools like massage guns, balls, knobs etc. can support your self-care.
By combining traditional practices with modern innovations, massage therapists continue to guide numerous individuals through their transformative journey toward wellness, one healing touch at a time.
Resources:
Florida Academy (2019, May 17). The History of Massage Therapy: 5,000 Years of Relaxation and Pain Relief. Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. Retrieved March 11, 2024,
All Star Directories, Inc. (2019, May 17). History of Massage Therapy. Natural Healers. Retrieved March 25, 2024,
Massage Magazine (2014, April 24). MASSAGE HISTORICAL TRADE TOOLS, PART ONE. Retrieved March 19, 2024,
Martin J. A critical evaluation of percussion massage gun devices as a rehabilitation tool focusing on lower limb mobility: A literature review. SportRvix. Published online 2021.
The Fascinating History of Trigger Points and Their Relationship to Acupuncture. Retrieved March 28, 2024,
Interview with Jason Chong, Traditional East Asian Medicine Physician and College Director at Australian Shiatsu College. Interview date March 20,2024
