The ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians used forms of massage for some ailments and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. The people of ancient Mediterranean civilizations knew the effects of massage. The ancients understood that education involves equal development of mind and body. The modern public's interest in physical fitness, holistic health, wellness and human potential represents a bid to revive a time-honored physiology. Massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial to many chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis and bursitis.
Massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.