It has long been used as a means of treating and fighting diseases, as well as for preventive purposes.

There are several options for the origin of the word “massage”. It is borrowed from the French language (masser - “to rub”). Some believe that masser comes from the Arabic mass - “to touch, gently press”; the second - from the Latin massa - “sticking to the hands, touching the fingers”, the third - from the Hebrew “mashen” - “to feel”, the fourth - from the Greek masso - “to squeeze with hands”.

Massage has been known since ancient times. Its history goes back more than 25 centuries. It can be assumed that its occurrence is associated with the provision of medical care to patients and this remedy was one of the first to appear.

Now it is no longer possible to find out exactly where massage originated. Among wild peoples it was a natural process, and it received methodological application among the civilized peoples of the Ancient East. This is evidenced by preserved ancient monuments confirming the existence of massage. Thus, archaeologists have found papyri, alabaster bas-reliefs, and inscriptions on pyramids describing various massage techniques. They were used by the Persians, Assyrians, Indians, Chinese and Egyptians, who especially contributed to the development of massage techniques. In the Assyrian department of the Neues Museum in Berlin is the oldest depiction of massage - an alabaster bas-relief depicting one person massaging another.

An ancient Chinese manuscript from the 9th century BC has reached our times. e. “Nei Jing” (“Book of the Inner Man”), which tells about the types of massage used for a particular disease. The development of cultural exchange contributed to the fact that countries neighboring China also gradually mastered the technique of massage.

Back in the 9th century AD. e. In ancient China, the world's first medical institute was opened, where massage was taught as a compulsory discipline. In addition, there were many medical and gymnastic schools, where people from all over the empire flocked in the hope of healing. The most famous school was located in Kan-Fan, and its “chief doctor” was proudly called heavenly.

The Chinese used massage not only as a means of treatment, it was also performed before physical exercise. For example, the monks of the Shaolin Monastery massaged themselves before practicing kung fu in order to prepare their joints. The Chinese widely used various types of massage, using rubbing, kneading, stroking and other techniques, for example, for rheumatism, dislocations, and muscle spasms. Subsequently, the developed techniques, systematized approximately 1000 years ago, became the basis of the technique of modern Chinese massage. A book written 2.5 thousand years ago has been preserved - “Kung Fu”, which reveals the undoubted medicinal benefits of using the massage techniques described in it. In the 19th century, Dujardin-Bometz, a French physiologist, wrote about it: “Taking an exclusively scientific basis in the issue of massage, I can report that you will find the most accurate description of massage in the Chinese book “Kung Fu”.

Massage in Ancient China

However, not only the Chinese knew this method of treating and maintaining well-being and health. The Indians made a great contribution to the development of massage techniques, attaching great medicinal and religious significance to it. For example, it was performed by the clergy, and massage was an integral part of religious rituals. The history of its origin and spread is described mainly in the books “Ayurveda”, i.e. “Knowledge of Life”, the time of writing of which dates back to 1600 BC. e. And other books were also written, for example “Sukruta”, which describes in detail various types of massage and its techniques, as well as for which diseases one or another of its varieties should be used. It was used for snake bites, for various injuries, including fractures, even to relieve fatigue.

It was mainly carried out by the Brahmins - the priests of the temples. The Indians revered and worshiped this sacred caste, at the same time admiring their skill and experiencing a superstitious fear of how the Brahmins cured a person with the help of massage. They attributed the healing to the will of the Almighty. Massage performed in India does not belong to any one direction, since in each of the provinces it is performed differently, but always very skillfully and professionally. From generation to generation, from father to son, the secrets of massage are passed on, which are kept secret and carefully guarded from those who do not belong to the caste. Nevertheless, anyone in need of help will never be denied it, no matter what caste he belongs to.

Subsequently, Indian massage acquired classical forms after the country was conquered by the Arabs, who influenced it and themselves borrowed some techniques. By the way, it was the Indians who began to use massage in combination with a steam bath.

Bath and massage as integral components of each other existed not only in India. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks also most often did it in baths, while rubbing and anointing the body with various ointments and oils. This is confirmed by the sacred ancient Egyptian books that have survived to this day, which describe these procedures in detail. It was also carried out after swimming in the pool.

The inhabitants of Ancient Egypt knew a lot about the benefits and techniques of massage. Thus, there is a papyrus extracted from the sarcophagus of an Egyptian commander and describing simple actions - such as stroking and rubbing the feet, calf muscles, back muscles and buttocks, and beating them. There is an assumption that it was there that couples massage was born (two massage therapists per person), subsequently widely practiced in medical institutions and during sports. There is no doubt that Egypt had a significant influence on the development of the art of massage.

Ancient Egyptian papyrus depicting massage techniques

The first physician to recommend massage as a means of healing and maintaining good health was the Greek Herodikos, who lived from 484 to 425 BC. e. He also tried to substantiate the benefits of massage from a physiological point of view. And subsequently, the initiatives of Herodikos were continued by his student, the “father of medicine” Hippocrates (460-377 BC), whose merit in this area is even more significant. He contributed to the further development of massage theory and its substantiation. As a proponent and founder of natural healing methods, he purified massage of the many religious rites that accompanied it. Hippocrates tested many theoretical views in practice, substantiated various techniques and their effect on the human body. Also, the doctor Democritus and the Hellenic poets Homer and Pindar wrote about massage in their time, who in their poems told how, after battles, women rubbed warriors in order to regain strength lost in battle. During the excavations, many vases and household items were found depicting people being massaged.

In Ancient Greece, great attention was paid to massage. Doctors tried to introduce it into all spheres of life - everyday life, school and military. Since the Greeks of that time were concerned about raising a healthy and strong male generation, distinguished by courage, beauty, dexterity and endurance, they could not ignore massage, which had a huge impact on the body. Sand from the smallest grains was specially delivered from the banks of the Nile in order to sprinkle it on the body when massaging athletes. The massage was carried out by gymnastics teachers invited for this purpose - pedotribes.

Image of massage on an ancient Greek vase

The art of massage was borrowed from India by its closest neighbors - Nepal and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). On the territory of the first, back in 1000 BC. e. Medical schools were widespread, as evidenced by the writings of the ancient Hindus. And the Ceylon chronicle “Mahavamsa”, which records everything that happened in the country from the 6th century BC. e., talks about massage, calling it a means of curing various ailments and diseases.

Having conquered many countries (from west to east - from the Iberian Peninsula to Persia and Armenia, from north to south - from Britain to Egypt) and united them, the Roman Empire borrowed from the conquered peoples not only culture and art, but also knowledge in the field of medicine, including massage. The most famous of Rome systematized all the information available at that time, collected by them from the peoples who developed it, which contributed to its subsequent development and expansion of its scope: use not only as a remedy, but also as an integral element of physical culture.

Thus, Asclepiades (128-56 BC), a famous doctor, Greek by origin, together with his students, opened a massage school in Ancient Rome. He created his own technique, dividing massage into dry and with oils, according to the time of exposure - short-term or long-term, according to the strength of the influence - strong and weak. It was he who began to use a technique related to vibration massage - shaking. He also recommended abstinence from food, considering this a particularly strong means of influencing the body in mandatory combination with massage - kneading and rubbing techniques, passive and active movements. Usually the massage was started by first preparing the body with the help of physical exercises. And then, having carried it out, they rubbed the body of the person being massaged with oils.

Many Roman doctors and scientists of that time wrote works in this area of ​​medicine. For example, the multi-volume book “On Medicine” by Aulus Cornelius Celsus, who lived in the 1st century BC. e., contains a separate chapter that talks about the meaning and benefits of massage, some of its techniques, and provides valuable recommendations for patients and recovering people - such as the necessary massage for pathological deposits in tissues, as well as various pains.

Claudius Gallen (131-200), the chief physician of the gladiator school in Pergamon, outlined massage techniques in even more detail and detail in his writings. He described nine types of massage, along with in what cases each of them and combinations of which techniques are best used. He also developed a technique for performing morning and evening massages and indications for use. Gallen advised starting the process with light rubbing, gradually increasing their strength, and at the end using the initial techniques. Plutarch (circa 45-127) gives an interesting description of performing a massage on Gaius Julius Caesar, the great Roman commander.

The time came when the Roman Empire fell, and massage lost its former popularity, because it was a healing procedure, and Christianity preached asceticism and mortification of the flesh. But where people professed a different religion, massage continued to be used as a therapeutic and general health remedy.

During the period when the culture and economy of the peoples of Central Asia reached its peak (late 10th - early 11th centuries), lived Razem (Abu-Bakr) Ar-Razi (850-929) and Abu Ali ibn Sina (ca. 980-1037) ), better known to us under the name Avicenna. These two brightest representatives of oriental medicine made a huge contribution to its development, including the development of massage. Al-Razi founded a hospital in the city of Baghdad, where massage was the main treatment. Al-Razi also described nine types of massage.

Avicenna is the greatest thinker, the author of encyclopedic works in many fields of science and art, “The Canon of Medical Science”, “The Book of Healing”. He wrote many treatises, where he gives original methods of treating various diseases, methods of preventing them, and describes a rather progressive for that time method of maintaining health through therapeutic and preventive measures, which has not yet lost its relevance.

The widely known “Canon of Medical Science” is literally imbued with the ideas of preventive medicine. Among them, massage coupled with physical exercise is among the most significant. As Avicenna believed and as has long been proven by doctors, this is the most effective way to strengthen and restore human health. He also warned against excessive consumption of medicines, since they “... deplete a person’s nature... Medicine both cleanses and irritates... also takes away from the body a good part of the excellent juices... As a result, the powers of the dominant and official ones weaken organs." Instead of taking huge amounts of medication, he recommended engaging in physical exercise, which he considered more important for maintaining health than, for example, eating and sleeping patterns: “A person who exercises moderately and in a timely manner does not need any treatment... “As we can see, the great Avicenna, of course, was right. You should not abuse medications, as often happens. Isn't it better to try to improve your health in a natural way, without the risk of causing yourself even more harm?

Avicenna paid special attention to massage: “Massage can be different: strong, which strengthens the body; weak, causing the body to soften; long-lasting, which causes a person to lose weight, and moderate, from which the body thrives.” He also divided massage into preparatory and restorative. The first should be performed in order to prepare the body for physical activity, and the second - to relieve excess tension after it: “It has the goal of resolving excess that is retained in the muscles and did not have time to be released during exercise, and eliminating these excesses so that they do not create fatigue."

The legendary scientist also had his own point of view on the use of therapeutic massage, for example, for migraines: “For migraines... start by rubbing the muscles of the temple on the painful side with your fingers and a rough handkerchief...” or “The head is sometimes cleansed using light pressure, such as rubbing, pressing, pinching and even combing (the hair)..."

Massage was also known to the Slavic tribes, for whom it was the norm of life, which is proven by the following fact: often birch brooms served as tribute, as an essential item. Washing and steaming in baths with vigorously whipping yourself with a broom is nothing more than self-massage, which perfectly improves body tone.

Massage in the Ancient East: a - hardware massage, b - foot massage, c - manual massage,

Under the influence of Avicenna’s works, massage also developed in the East, in the countries of Asia Minor and Central Asia, but in technique and methodology it was very different from that practiced in Ancient Greece and Rome. The main difference was that during the massage, sharp, hard techniques were used - jerks, pressure, which were also performed with elbows and knees, as well as blows and walking on the body of the person being massaged. Where Christianity fought against paganism, such a prevailing situation did not at all contribute to the development of massage and physical education, as, for example, in Europe. Any forward movement of science was hampered by the medieval church. Only in the XIV-XV centuries did interest in the culture of the body, and therefore in massage, appear, which occurred thanks to the publication of works on anatomy by some scientists - such as Mondi de Siucci, Pietro Egilata, Bertuccio. The Belgian Andreas Vesalius and the Englishman William Harvey published their works during the Renaissance. Vesalius was among the first scientists who described human organs in detail, making a significant contribution to the development of anatomy as a science. These works served as an impetus for a new round in the history of the development of massage.

In the next century, the works of the famous Italian scientist Mercoulias appeared, including the work “The Art of Gymnastics,” the fourth volume of which summarized all the literature on massage available at that time. In this multi-volume work, Merculias described in detail rubbing, namely its three types - weak, strong and medium, and also gave specific methodological instructions and advice in combination with a large number of drawings. His book was very popular in its time.

Subsequently, various books on massage continued to be published. In the 18th century, the names of the following scientists were inextricably linked with the history of massage: Hoffmann, Andre, Bernard. Hoffmann’s work “Radical instructions on how a person should act to avoid early death and all kinds of diseases” included many recommendations for the use of mainly rubbing and other massage techniques. Surgeon Andre published a two-volume book on orthopedics, where he described massage techniques in some detail, proving that it must be used as a means of prolonging human life.

In the book of the famous French clinician Clément Joseph Tissot, “Medical and Surgical Gymnastics,” a description of rubbing also occupied an important place, since the author considered it the most effective massage technique. Tissot also touched on topics related to therapeutic massage. He recommended two types of rubbing - dry and wet, as well as indications and contraindications for the use of each of them.

However, despite the increased interest in massage, its popularity could not be compared with what it once was in Ancient Greece and Rome. Only in the 19th century did the former respect for the healing properties of massage begin to be revived. The development of therapeutic and health massage was mainly facilitated by Peter Heinrich Ling (1776-1839), who had a significant influence on its further spread and became the founder of the Swedish massage system.

He was a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, a poet, and also studied ancient Greek art. He came to massage and gymnastics after he was injured in the battle of the shoulder joint, due to which the mobility of his arm was impaired. To restore the function of his arm, he tried massage, combining it with regular fencing and gymnastics, having become acquainted with all this in Copenhagen. When, with their help, he was cured of an old injury, he deeply believed in the miraculous power of massage. Since then, he devoted his entire life to studying the therapeutic effects of gymnastics and massage. And in 1813, with his assistance, the Institute of Gymnastics and Massage was founded. His work “General Fundamentals of Gymnastics,” being practically the first scientifically based work, significantly influenced the attitude of Europeans to massage. In it, Ling especially noted the effective effect of massage for various diseases, such as internal organs, as well as for movement disorders and fatigue. According to him, gymnastics can be divided into military, medical, hygienic and aesthetic. However, there were also critics, for example P.F. Lesgaft, who emphasized the lack of classification of techniques and their justification regarding the duration and indications needed to, when performing them, bring the greatest benefit to the body and not cause harm.

In the middle of the 19th century, a huge number of works were published in many European countries, the authors of which attempted to scientifically substantiate their point of view about the benefits of massage and described its healing properties for various diseases. By the end of the 19th century, institutes specializing in massage treatment were opened all over the world, which finally acquired the status of an independent method of treatment, and not just an auxiliary means.

In the same century, curious information appeared that massage in a very original form existed among tribes that were still at the primitive stage of development. The famous traveler N. N. Miklouho-Maclay described in his diary that he had the opportunity to experience a massage performed by the natives of New Guinea. Also, massage was used as a therapeutic agent by the peoples who inhabited Indonesia, among the native tribes of South America and others.

So, massage has been used by almost all peoples at all times, regardless of the stage of development and level of culture, which once again proves its undoubted health benefits.

Massage gradually developed in Russia. True, it had one peculiarity: in Ancient Rus' and among the peoples of the North it was used mainly for general strengthening purposes, and not for healing. We have already mentioned that massage was carried out in baths and was called horsetailing. However, in the future there were no serious theoretical and practical developments of massage techniques. Until the 19th century, there were no scientific works on this topic in Russia. Only in the second half of the 19th century did scientists begin to seriously study the effect of massage on the human body. These include M. Ya. Mudrov, who can rightfully be called the founder of the Russian therapeutic school. In his work “A Word on the Benefits and Items of Water Hygiene, or the Science of Preserving Health for Military Personnel,” massage techniques such as stroking and rubbing were widely promoted, and he also believed that “bodily exercises” and movements were vital to maintaining health, so he advised the use of gymnastics, massage and hydrotherapy as often as possible.

Among the scientists involved in the scientific substantiation of massage were such outstanding doctors as V. M. Bekhterev, S. P. Botkin, N. Ya. Velyaminov and others. In 1876, V. A. Manassein first proposed introducing a practical course of massage and gymnastics into the curriculum of the Military Medical Academy. At the end of the 19th century, centers for training and training specialists in massage and gymnastics began to appear in Russia. G.K. Solovyov, M.K. Barsov, E.N. Zalesova, K.A. Shultz, B.I. Kiyanovsky, V.F. Diakovsky, V.K. Kramarenko and others did a lot for this.

A great contribution to the development of massage was made by I.Z. Zabludovsky, who created a scientifically based system, which subsequently served as the basis for therapeutic, hygienic and sports massage.

In pre-revolutionary Russia, massage was popular, but only wealthy people could afford to use the services of a massage therapist. The October Revolution contributed to the fact that not only in medical institutions, but also in sanatoriums and resorts, massage began to be used much more widely. In the development of methods and techniques of massage, solving many issues regarding its use in medical, sports, hygienic practice, enormous merit belongs to I. M. Sarkizov‑Serazini, V. P. Dobrolyubov, V. F. Snegirev, A. R. Kirichinsky, S. G. Zybelin.

Professor Ivan Mikhailovich Sarkizov-Serazini was the founder of the Soviet massage system. He organized a massage course at the Moscow Institute of Physical Education, and later became the founder of the first department of therapeutic physical culture and sports massage in Russia. The system he created is distinguished by the fact that it summarizes old and new massage techniques, and also provides a rationale for their duration and sequence.

Thus, in Russia, a lot has also been done to develop massage, which carries with it the vast experience of our ancestors, who knew about its benefits and miraculous power.

← + Ctrl + →
Chapter 4. Migraine and professionsChapter 6. The effect of massage on the body and the benefits of its use for headaches

The history of massage goes back to ancient times. The art of healing with touch was practiced in many countries of the world both for preventive purposes and for the treatment of many diseases, and at the moment it is very difficult to name the place and time of its origin.

The stem of the word itself can be found in many languages:

– Arabic mass – “to touch, gently press”;

– Latin massa – “sticking to hands, fingers”;

– Greek masso – “to squeeze with hands”;

– Hebrew “mashen” - “to feel.” The peoples of the Ancient East discovered healing

properties of massage more than 2.5 thousand years ago. Although, according to some sources, this is the date of its official discovery as the art of treating and combating illness, and simple massaging techniques were used earlier. Massage was known to the Greeks, Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese.

Ancient architectural structures and artifacts can tell a lot about the origins and history of the development of massage. Ancient papyri, vases, drawings, engravings found by archaeologists carry a lot of information, clearly showing one or another stage in the development of the art of healing.

One of the most famous monuments of antiquity is an alabaster bas-relief depicting a massage therapist and his patient. This work of art is kept in the Assyrian department of the New Museum in Berlin. According to a papyrus found in the sarcophagus of an Egyptian commander, the first time such a technique as a couples massage was used was in Egypt. The papyrus depicts some simple massage techniques and two massage therapists performing a couples massage.

Ancient China made a huge contribution to the development of massage. Combinations of Chinese massage techniques with various body oils, herbal extracts and acupuncture worked real miracles. For a long time in China, almost all diseases were treated with the help of massage, not to mention relieving stress or fatigue. It is reliably known that in Ancient China many medical and gymnastic schools were opened that practiced massage treatment. The fame of these establishments quickly spread throughout the country. Residents of the entire empire sought to get into them, regardless of class and position in society.

The healers of these schools received the title of heavenly ones and enjoyed great honor and respect. Their skills and ancient secrets helped cure the most serious diseases.

In the 9th century, the world's first medical institute opened in China, where massage was compulsory for study.

Martial arts masters also did not forget about massage. Thus, in the Shaolin Temple, shrouded in many secrets, monks used self-massage to prepare for heavy physical activity and treat injuries received during training. A book by an unknown Chinese master called “Kung Fu” that has survived to this day tells not only about various fighting techniques, but also about massage techniques and their therapeutic effects.

Such books, replete with illustrations, clearly show that the civilization of Ancient China knew ways to treat diseases such as rheumatism, gastritis, muscle spasms, and dislocations.

Of course, Ancient China was not the only place where great success was achieved in the use and development of massage. Thus, in ancient India, massage was not only a way to treat ailments, but also a part of religion. Brahmins - priests and temple servants - were fluent in many massage techniques and included it in religious rituals. When healing another patient, the priests attributed the success of the procedures performed to the Almighty. People treated this caste with respect and superstitious fear.

Many books found testify to the development of massage in Ancient India. Ayurveda (Knowledge of Life) dates back to 1600 BC. e. This book contains many studies in the field of medicine and methods of treating various diseases. The book “Sukruta” contains information about many massage techniques, effects on different parts of the human body, and methods of massage.

Residents of Ancient India could use massage to treat diseases of the abdominal organs, spine, fractures, dislocations and even snake bites. A separately created area of ​​massage and self-massage was focused on daily maintenance of good health and vigor.

After the Arabs conquered the country, massage began to acquire classical features. Taking the Indian method, the Arabs combined it with their own and introduced many new elements.

Ceylon chronicle of the history of the country from the 6th century BC. e. – “Mahavamsa” – tells about many massage techniques that were created by Hindus who lived in Nepal and Sri Lanka. According to the chronicles, the Hindus invented massage at about the same time as the ancient Indians. And in 1000 BC. e. Medical schools were opened in Nepal.

To summarize, we can say that many peoples knew about the benefits and methods of massage. However, the first medical treatises on this topic appeared in Greece. The leading physician of those times, Herodikos (484 - 425 BC), proved the beneficial effects of massage on the human body from a physiological point of view. Subsequently, his best student Hippocrates (460 - 337 BC), who is called the father of medicine, continued the work of Herodikos. Hippocrates' contribution to this area of ​​medicine is truly enormous. He conducted numerous experiments and studies, proving the beneficial effects of massage.

Thanks to the works of an outstanding scientist, massage has become a real means of treating and maintaining the functioning of the body.

Poets such as Homer and Pindar wrote about massage. In their works they talked about beautiful maidens who anointed tired heroes with incense.

In Ancient Greece, massage covered almost all areas of life. Recreation centers were created that practiced soothing, relaxing and therapeutic massage. It was introduced into the army, schools, and sports.

Massage began to actively develop after the Roman Empire conquered lands from the Iberian Peninsula and Britain to Persia, Armenia and Egypt. The Romans collected all the information about massage, systematized it and actively developed the art of healing, introducing new theories and techniques.

A citizen of the Roman Empire, Asclepiades (157 - 128 BC), a Greek by origin, opened the first schools of healing in Rome. An outstanding doctor created a new technique in which he identified types of massage. So, he divided it according to the methods of implementation (dry and with the use of oil), by the time of implementation (short-term and long-term), by the strength of the effect (strong and weak). It was Asklepiades who created the method of vibration massage and developed complete courses of treatment, which included not only various types of massage, but also diets, a certain daily routine and physical exercise.

The world-famous medical researcher Aulus Cornelius Celsus, in his multi-volume work “On Medicine,” devoted many pages to massage. The scientist described many massage techniques, their effects and benefits, and also gave a number of recommendations for its use in various diseases.

Claudius Gallen, the chief physician of the gladiator school in Pergamon, in his scientific works described in detail nine types of massage, gave advice and recommendations on the use of many techniques. Gallen was the first to propose a method of performing morning and evening massage, as well as self-massage techniques for various segments of the population (emphasis was placed on the person’s profession).

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the popularity of massage began to decline. Due to the fact that the main religion at that time was Christianity, and massage was primarily supposed to strengthen the body and had little to do with the soul, the church did not approve of such treatment. For this reason, the development of massage in the West has stalled.

But in countries free from such prejudices, massage continued to develop and improve. At the end of the 10th century, the economic and cultural development of Central Asia went much faster, new thinkers and researchers appeared.

Abu Ali ibn Sina (980-1037), widely known as Avicenna, was the first to open a hospital in Baghdad, choosing massage as the main method of treatment. This man became the most prominent representative of Eastern medicine, culture, and science. Many of his studies in the field of medicine are described in the famous work “The Canons of Medical Science” and form the basis for the treatment and prevention of many diseases in our time.

When treating patients, special attention was paid to massage. There were many types of massage aimed at treating various ailments. In his writings, Abu Ali ibn Sina wrote: “Massage can be different: strong, which strengthens the body; weak, causing the body to soften; long-lasting, which makes a person lose weight, and moderate, from which the body thrives..."

Thanks to the efforts of the great scientist, massage quickly spread throughout the territory of Asia Minor and Central Asia. But Abu Ali ibn Sina's massaging systems were very different from the systems invented in Greece and Rome. More harsh techniques were practiced here: strong jerks and pressure, massaging with elbows and knees, even walking on the patient’s body and hitting it.

In Europe, the turning point came only in the 14th–15th centuries, when the Inquisition slightly eased the pressure on society, allowing scientists to publish their works. At that time, the works of such medical researchers as Mondi de Ciucci and Pietro Egilata were published. The Renaissance was a golden time for the Belgian Andreas Vesalius and the Englishman William Harvey. Their multi-volume treatises told the West a lot about human anatomy and physiology.

At the end of the 16th century, the work of the Italian Merculias “The Art of Gymnastics” was published, in which the scientist collected and systematized all the information known at that time about massage and therapeutic gymnastics. The book was replete with color illustrations and valuable recommendations and advice.

In the 18th century, works by Hoffmann, Andre, and Borelli appeared. Hoffmann's work “Radical instructions on how a person should act in order to avoid early death and all kinds of diseases” caused an extraordinary stir among the population of Europe. In it, a German scientist talked about how to get rid of many diseases at home and prolong your life. The emphasis was mainly on massage and proper nutrition.

But, despite new discoveries, massage has never achieved its former popularity. Its healing properties began to be actively used only in the 19th century. A huge contribution to this matter was made by Peter Heinrich Ling (1776 - 1839), who founded the Swedish massage system. Thanks to his fame and high position in society, Ling was able to widely spread his system of healing massage throughout almost all of Europe.

His passion for massage began after a shoulder injury that almost paralyzed his arm. The scientist began to actively engage in gymnastics and fencing, combining these activities with massage sessions. About a year later, there was no trace left of the injury, and the hand regained its former dexterity and mobility. Then Ling believed in the healing properties of massage and began to study it closely, simultaneously attracting the interest of several colleagues from the Royal Academy. His research and experiments are reflected in the book “General Fundamentals of Gymnastics,” which outlined many theoretical calculations and descriptions of massage techniques in combination with gymnastics.

By the middle of the 19th century, the number of scientific works devoted to massage increased significantly. New institutes and hospitals have opened that practice massage and gymnastics treatment.

The history of the development of massage in Russia began with the existence of fragmented tribes in Ancient Rus'. Ancient hunters and warriors used massage to strengthen their bodies, treat injuries received in battles, and some massage techniques were included in rituals. The need for massage was primarily due to the harsh climate and occupation of the population. Massage in Rus' was usually combined with heavy physical activity and hardening.

A mandatory attribute of gifts - a birch broom - once again shows how cleanliness and massage procedures were valued in Rus', because the process of steaming in a bathhouse already contains many massage techniques. Whipping with a broom can be conditionally considered rubbing, and in combination with high temperature in the room, the effect of this technique increases many times over.

The chronicler Nestor narrates: “How they wash and horsetail... they see the wooden baths and they burn them with great ones, and they become dirty, and they are doused with soap, and they take a branch and begin to beat them... and they douse themselves with cold water and live like that.” Nestor described the process of not only ablution, but also prevention. In a hot bath, people whipped each other with brooms softened in boiling water, and then doused themselves with cold water or wiped themselves with snow. Legends were made about the stamina and health of the Russians, because it was not without reason that they were compared to bears.

But, despite the active use of massage in everyday life, its scientific substantiation was made not so long ago. Treatises and writings on this topic began to appear only in the second half of the 19th century.

In Russia, the first research in the field of massage belonged to scientists V. M. Bekhterev, N. Ya. Velyaminov, S. P. Botkin, V. A. Manassein. For a long time they studied the consequences of physical impact on different parts of the human body, creating new methods and programs that included not only massage, but also proper nutrition, hardening and physical exercise.

One of the striking examples of such works was “The Word on the Benefits and Items of Water Hygiene, or the Science of Preserving Health for Military Personnel,” published by the founder of the Russian therapeutic school, M. Ya. Mudrov. This book published the latest research in the field of treatment without the use of drugs and many recommendations for improving the physical fitness of military personnel in Russia.

V. A. Manassein, an honored therapist and medical researcher, went down in history as the person who made fundamental changes to the curriculum of the Military Medical Academy. He proposed teaching students the basics of massage and therapeutic exercises.

Particularly noteworthy is the end of the 19th century, when centers for training specialists in massage and gymnastics began to be created in Russia.

Massage was widely known in pre-revolutionary times, but at that time only very wealthy people could afford it. After the revolution, massage became widespread and was used in almost all hospitals and health centers. At the same time, leading doctors of that time I.M. Sarkizov-Serazini, S.G. Zybelin, I.Z. Zabludovsky and V.P. Dobrolyubov studied a separate type of massage - sports. Special techniques, manner of performance and techniques made it possible to quickly prepare the athlete for stress and eliminate some injuries without leaving the competition. Later, the department for the study of sports massage was founded at the Moscow Institute of Physical Education by I. M. Sarkizov-Serazini.

To summarize, we can say that massage has developed in almost all countries of the world. They treated all segments of the population, regardless of class, social status in society and religion. And of course, history shows that there are not many diseases for which massage cannot help.

BRIEF HISTORY OF MASSAGE DEVELOPMENT

Belaya N. A., Golinskaya M. S., Kontorovich A. E., Nosova N. G., Fokeeva N. V.
Exercise therapy and massage No. 1, 2002, pp. 9-12

Massage- method treatment and disease prevention, which is a set of techniques of mechanical impact on various parts of the surface of the human body, performed by hand massage therapist or (less often) special devices. Massage, being a physiological method for the human body, in combination with physical therapy (physical therapy), medicinal, physiotherapeutic, surgical methods are widely used in various fields of clinical medicine, sanatorium treatment, in the medical rehabilitation system, in rehabilitation clinics treatment, in sports, as well as for hygienic purposes. Distinguish therapeutic massage, sports, hygienic, cosmetic. Samomassa g can be used in each of these methods. The main type is widely used in medical institutions therapeutic massage(LM) - classic massage(KM) and its varieties. Massage- one of the types of specialized care, widely used in the treatment of various diseases, injuries and their consequences.
Start of use massage lost in the depths of centuries. Improving techniques, techniques, methods massage is currently ongoing.
After all, if human anatomy has not changed for millennia, then the understanding of the essence of diseases is changing dramatically due to the progress of medical science, therefore the use massage only on anatomical grounds is ineffective. However, of course, for the correct implementation of massage techniques, knowledge of anatomy, therapy, cardiology, neuropathology, endocrinology, physiotherapy, sports medicine, gerontology and other areas of medicine is required.
Many years of methodology massage were based on empirical ideas and practical experience, and special clinical and physiological observations were few in number. Techniques massage were built on an anatomical and topographical principle, without taking into account the essence of the disease.
Attempts by philologists to find out the origin of the word itself " massage" speaks of the very ancient existence of this concept. Thus, some authors believe that massage- this is the French word "massage", derived from the verb "masser" (to rub), which in turn is borrowed from the Arabic language: "mass" - to touch, feel. Others believe that the word "massage" comes from the Sanskrit "makch", others - from the Greek "masso" (to squeeze with hands), others - from the Latin "massa" (sticking to the fingers), others - from the Hebrew "mash" (to feel) . All these terms, each in its own way, to some extent reflect the essence of the techniques massage. Obviously the initial use massage was an instinctive stroking, kneading and rubbing bruises, stretching healing wounds and other parts of one’s body. Massage used by many tribes and nationalities inhabiting our planet in the process of religious rituals of expelling evil spirits and sacred ablutions, anointing and rubbing the body with various oils and compositions.
From historical documents it is known that massage It was used even among primitive peoples and was common among the natives of various tribes of South Africa and South America. There is literature information on the use massage many millennia BC. So, in Ancient Egypt 4000 BC, Libya, Babylon they used massage both for the purpose of treating wounds received by soldiers in battles, and for restoring physical strength after military transitions. In ancient India, massage was performed in sacred temples by specially trained priests. In art massage treatment they achieved such success that they aroused superstitious fear among ordinary people. Techniques massage in Ancient India are described in the treatise “Ayuro-Veda” - “Knowledge of Life” (IX - III centuries BC).
The use of massage in Ancient China was first mentioned in the book Kong Fu, written more than 2500 BC. The creators of Kong Fu argued that movements (gymnastics and massage) maintain breathing balance, and breathing, in turn, is a regulator of blood circulation. In the VI century. AD For the first time in the world, a state medical institute was created in China, where it was taught as a compulsory discipline. massotherapy. In Ancient China, almost all provinces had medical gymnastics schools, where they trained Taosse doctors who practiced massage and therapeutic gymnastics. In the 6th century AD. in China, an encyclopedia called “San-Tsai-Tu-Goshi” was published in 64 volumes, which systematizes the techniques of rubbing, kneading, tapping, vibration, passive movements, and outlines the techniques and methods of ancient Chinese massage.
In Ancient Greece, massage was used for the purpose of better physical education of young men - future warriors. Specially trained "pedotribes" (gymnastics teachers) conducted morning and evening massage; before and after the competitions they rubbed and lubricated them with ointments, and sprinkled the bodies of the young men with the finest sand, which was delivered from the banks of the Nile.
The first of the Greek doctors who advised the use massage as a health remedy, was Herodikos (484 - 425 BC). His student Hippocrates recommended treatment of diseases massage with kneading tissue (460 - 377 BC).
In the collection "The Hippocratic Code" ("Corpus Hyppocraticum"), the author described the influence of physical exercises and techniques massage on a sick person. He explained their therapeutic effect by stimulating physiological processes. It was Hippocrates who said: “A doctor must be experienced in many things and, by the way, in massage.” He recommended paying special attention to kneading techniques, noting that under the influence of kneading, “a relaxed joint becomes stronger, and a tight one becomes mobile.”
Hippocrates is recognized as the founder of the use massage as a remedy. Doctors of Ancient Greece considered it necessary to introduce massage not only in medicine, but also in everyday life, sports, the army, and school. From Ancient Greece techniques massage were transferred to Ancient Rome, where they were used in gladiator schools. Massage performed both before the fight (for better preparation of the body) and after it with the aim treatment injuries and faster recovery for subsequent fights. In the imperial army, it became an integral part of the physical training of soldiers.
One of the papyri found in 1841 in the sarcophagus of an Egyptian commander depicted massage techniques such as stroking, rubbing and effleurage.
The oldest image massage located in the Assyrian department of the New Museum in Berlin. Among the items belonging to the Assyrian king Sancherib (861-705 BC) was an alabaster bas-relief depicting two people, one of whom is massaging the other. Massage along with anointings (rubbing oils and ointments into the skin) was borrowed from Egypt by the ancient Greeks. Homer has a description of how Circe anointed Odysseus. In Ancient Rome, Asclepiades (128-56 BC), a Greek by origin, introduced one of the techniques of vibration massage- concussion.
At the beginning of our chronology about the benefits massage Aulus Cornelius Celsus began to write. Following in his footsteps was the physician of the gladiator school in Pergamum, Claudius Galen (129-201 AD), who described the techniques of stroking, rubbing and kneading muscles.
The famous scientist Abu Ali Ibn Sina (Avicenna) in his work “The Canon of Medical Science” along with therapeutic massage highlighted sports, in which he distinguished between preparatory and recovery options when engaging in physical exercise. Ibn Sina contributed to the spread of massage in the countries of the East (Turkey, Persia, Khiva, Bukhara). Avicenna's technique apparently differed from the techniques of Ancient Greece and Rome in its greater intensity, the use of foot pressure and the masseur's body weight. How therapeutic massage used by the healers of the native tribes of South America. Among the ancient Slavs, as the chronicle of Nestor testifies massage was performed mainly in a hot steam bath by “tailing” the body with a birch or oak broom. “Healers”, “chiropractors”, “midwives” could use all kinds of rubbing, kneading, stroking and patting treat“aches”, nervous diseases, stomach diseases, skeletal deformities, obesity, reduction of dislocations. Finns and Karelians used horsetailing in baths, as in Ancient Rus'.
Basics classic massage began to take shape in the 18th century. The German scientist Friedrich Hoffmann pioneered the use of massage in surgery. The French surgeon Andre laid the foundations for its use massage in orthopedic practice. The prominent French clinician Clement Joseph Tissot, in his major work “Medicine and Surgical Gymnastics” (1781), provided comparative data on the effective results of using massage and gymnastics in surgery, believing that “movement can often replace medicine, but no medicine can replace movement.” Of all the tricks massage he preferred rubbing, recommending two methods: dry and wet. J. Tissot wrote that “to maintain health, it is necessary every morning, lying in bed on your back and raising your legs slightly bent at the knees, to rub your stomach and abdomen with a piece of flannel, because this increases peristaltic movements in all the intestines of the abdominal cavity, and even if they rub the whole body, they promote evaporation and blood circulation,” i.e. rubbing not only as a medical remedy must be used in everyday life. However, compared to Ancient Greece and Rome, massage in Europe during the Middle Ages and until the beginning of the 19th century. was not particularly widespread.
It should be emphasized that the creator of the “Swedish” gymnastic system, Peter Heinrich Ling (1776 - 1839), had a significant influence on the implementation massage in European countries and created Swedish massotherapy. An active promoter and conductor of methods therapeutic exercises and massage P. Ling became influenced by his own illness. In 1801, in a naval battle between the British and the Danes, Ling was injured in the shoulder joint, complicated by severe contracture and loss of normal mobility of the arm. He began to practice fencing and massage hands. The function (mobility) of the arm was completely restored. In his work "General Fundamentals of Gymnastics" he argued that " massage is the main part of all kinds of movement that have a beneficial effect on the human body." In the system of medical gymnastics, he especially emphasized the importance massage for fatigue, movement disorders due to injury, surgical interventions and diseases of internal organs.
Thanks to Ling and his followers (Branting, Karl-August Georg, Gartelius, Moorey and many others) massage and therapeutic gymnastics found its adherents on all continents (France, Germany, England, etc.). Despite the fact that massage has been used for a long time, there has been no scientific basis for its effect on the human body for a long time. Only in the second half of the 19th century. Individual works by doctors began to appear, trying to explain the physiological effect massage. Thus, the French surgeon Bonnet (1853) successfully used massage For treatment joints. Other French clinicians of this time (Tussaud, Charcot, Pidot) also used massage to treat various diseases. During the same period, clinicians in Germany (Billroth, Esmarch, Eulenburg, Lendenbeck) and England (Barclay, Balfour) began to devote scientific monographs and articles to massage. 70s of the XIX century. can be described as the heyday massage.
In Russia, scientific doctors play an outstanding role in the development and scientific justification massage in clinics. Long before Ling, the founder of domestic therapy M.Ya. Mudrov widely recommended the use massage and treatment movement; In pediatrics, these methods were promoted by Russian doctors of the 18th century. S.G. Zabelin and N.M. Ambodic.
Special merit in matters of scientific development massage healthy people belongs to private associate professor of the Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg I.Z. Zabludovsky, who is rightfully considered the founder of classical massage.
Russian scientists of the 19th century. belongs to studies to justify the use massage for various diseases (according to nosologies), determining indications and contraindications for its use. Outstanding SP clinicians assessed this method very positively. Botkin, A.A. Ostroumov, G.A. Zakharyin, N.A. Velyaminov. Peru of Russian scientists of the 19th century. belongs to a number of clinical and experimental works in the field of physiological substantiation of the action massage on the human body. So, under the guidance of the scientist clinician V.A. The effect of Manasein was studied massage in therapy for nitrogen metabolism and absorption of nitrogenous substances (I.Z. Gopadze, 1886), for the amount of pulmonary-skin secretions (I.K. Stabrovsky, 1887), for the absorption of nitrogen and food fats in healthy people with massage abdomen (B.N. Kiyanovsky, 1889). V.A. Manasein in 1876 proposed introducing a practical course into the curriculum of the Military Medical Academy massage and gymnastics. In 1881, at the clinic of V.A. Manasein doctor K.N. Shultz defended his doctoral dissertation on treatment fractures using massage.
S.P. Botkin recommended the use of lung massage with displacement and mobility of the liver. Recommending massage with gastric dilatation, S.P. Botkin advised “massage the entire abdomen, and the stomach area not as usual, but from left to right in the direction of muscle contractions.”
Student N.A. Velyaminova N.I. Gurevich defended his dissertation on massage treatment closed fractures. According to the results of experimental histological studies, it was shown that under the influence massage the process of callus formation occurs more intensively, fusion ends in a shorter time. ON THE. Velyaminov argued that “specially trained massage therapists... can successfully massage fractures, but, of course, under the direct supervision of a doctor.” “Staff trained by doctors in a hospital would very quickly recoup the cost of it, since the number of sick days would be reduced treatment simple fractures would significantly reduce the cost of keeping such patients in hospitals." A special department was opened in the surgical clinic of N.V. Sklifosovsky massage.
FROM. Zabludovsky owns more than 100 works (1882-1913) devoted to the technique massage and the physiological rationale for its use in therapeutic and surgical clinics.
Significant contribution to the study of the physiological effects of vibration massage the nervous system was introduced by clinicians V.M. Bekhterev, M.Ya. Brightman, SA. Brushtein, A.E. Shcherbak.
At the end of the 19th century. centers for training specialists in therapeutic massage. School in St. Petersburg massage organized by E.I. Zalesov, in Moscow - K.G. Soloviev, in Kyiv - V.K. Kramarenko. Implementation massage the works of N.V. contributed to clinics, hospitals, and beauty salons. Sletova (1904).
Reflex-segmental massage appeared in the 19th century. Doctor of Medicine A.E. Shcherbak (1903-1908) studied the effect of mechanical vibration and created the method of “vibration massage”. Soon this method began to be used in practice (Borshchevsky, 1911). Subsequently, this method was used in Russia and abroad to influence the skin, deep soft tissues and periosteum (F.M. Lange, 1931). Kohlrausch (1937) proposed massage reflex zones corresponding to Ged's zones to influence muscles with increased tone.
Segmental massage and periosteal massage were developed by German specialists Gleser, Dalikho (1951), Vogler and Kraus (1953).
Improvement massage in our country is associated with the development medicinal physical education, since they are used, as a rule, comprehensively, complementing each other. The introduction of segmental massage according to Glezer and Dalikho in the 60s was facilitated by corresponding member of the Academy of Medical Sciences A.N. Abrosov. The introduction of segmental massage in the pre-war period, during and after the Great Patriotic War, was facilitated by clinicians and doctors prof. S.A. Brushtein, A.F. Verbov, V.N. Moshkov, A.R. Kirichinsky, V.K. Kramarenko, A.F. Tour, V.K. Dobrovolsky and many others.
During the Great Patriotic War massage widely used in complex treatment wounded, which contributed to their faster return to duty. After the Great Patriotic War, the number of clinical and physiological studies devoted to the scientific substantiation of methods and methods in the clinic increased in our country. massage, the mechanism of its action on the body of a sick and healthy person, the establishment of indications and contraindications for various nosological forms of diseases, taking into account the stage of the pathological process and the reactivity of the body, as well as the development of techniques and methods massage with the selection of the most effective methods at the stages rehabilitation treatment and rehabilitation of patients.
Yes, hardware massage using vibration as therapeutic factor was developed in detail at the Tomsk Research Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy by prof. AND I. Kramer and his staff. Developed methods of combined effects of classical and vibration (hardware and finger) massage were used for the rehabilitation of children with spastic forms of cerebral palsy in order to correct muscle tone. Most effective medicinal The result was the sequential use of continuous and intermittent vibration modes, because in this mode, the tone of weakened muscles was stimulated against the background of preliminary relaxation of spastic ones. Such stimulation contributed to the development of correct relationships between antagonistic muscles, changes in which underlie movement disorders. The same TNII has developed and continues to develop the use of vibration techniques massage combined with classic massage For treatment patients with neurological syndromes of the cervical, lumbar osteochondrosis with concomitant pathology, and in particular with coronary heart disease (1989 - 1998).
In the last decade, methods have been developed and widely used classic massage in combination with medicinal gymnastics and physical therapy for the purpose of prevention and rehabilitation of children, adolescents and adults with dystrophic disorders of the musculoskeletal system, prevention of the progression of dysplasia of the musculoskeletal system in medical and physical education clinics, rehabilitation clinics treatment, in general hospitals. Basic principles massage in combination with hardware vibration massage and segmental reflex massage designed for the rehabilitation of hypokinetic and hypoxic conditions. Segmental-reflex massage carried out after exercise therapy procedures, taking into account nosology; carried out if necessary acupressure with the selection of points based on the “meridian theory”.
Over the past forty years, Professor N.A. Belaya, together with the staff of the Central Research Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy (Russian Scientific Center for Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy), conducted systematic research on the development and scientific substantiation of various types massage: classical, segmental, periosteal, sports, point; its combination with a variety of physiotherapy methods and medicinal physical education for diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, heart, peripheral vessels, joint diseases, bronchopulmonary pathology, osteochondrosis, diabetes, diseases of the digestive system, etc. (N.A. Belaya, K.I. Zavadina, R.G. Tarakhanyan, G. A. Panina, V. V. Nikolaeva, S. A. Gusarova, Yu. A. Kamranov, T. V. Dementyeva, N. E. Sycheva, etc.). A student of N.A. Beloy, Doctor of Medical Sciences O.F. Kuznetsov, developed original massage methods for hypotension, lung diseases, and coronary heart disease. Under his leadership, developed based on the classical therapeutic massage complex acupressure techniques treatment of patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency after transient cerebrovascular accidents, with discirculatory encephalopathy of I - III degrees (1987-1996. S.A. Gusarova, G. Maslovskaya). Based classic massage O.F. Kuznetsov, together with his colleagues, developed cryomassage techniques (cold treatment) for patients with duodenal ulcer (O.F. Kuznetsov, P.M. Filimonov, S.N. Serebryakov, E.M. Styazhkina, M.S. Golinskaya - 1993-1995).
Great importance for the development of differentiated techniques massage have the works of professors and researchers of the Russian Scientific Center for Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy (RSRCiF) V.M. Andreeva, V.S. Vozdvizhenskaya, V.M. Gerasimenko, V.D. Grigorieva, I.N. Danilova, T.A. Knyazeva, V.T. Olefirenko, T.P. Shchepina, who carried out their research together with N.A. White. It should be emphasized that in our country and in Europe the classical massage and on the basis of it segmental and acupressure in a comparative aspect and as independent methods for osteochondrosis, radiculitis, radiculopathy, polyarthritis, as well as in sports and health massage. Elements of connective tissue and periosteal massage were used. This allowed scientists to conclude that, taking into account the clinical characteristics of the disease, in some cases the classical massotherapy, in others segmental, etc. Elements of the periosteal and acupressure have long been used in classical massage. In the works carried out under the guidance of N.A. White, shown (1970-1989) that classic massotherapy using connective tissue, segmental and acupressure gives a greater therapeutic effect than isolated pressure only on the periosteum or only on bone tissue. Intermittent vibration in classic massage is one of the elements of tonic massage, but with a wider coverage of the massaged area, which provides a better effect.
You should focus on the features stories development of the concept sports massage, which is used as a method of sports training and rehabilitation at the stages of recovery for highly qualified athletes in any sport.
For the first time at major international competitions, sports massage as a means of helping athletes win fights, it was used in 1900. This happened at the II Olympic Games in Paris. Positive practical experience massage contributed to further interest in him among coaches of national teams in various sports. The Swedes, for example, already at the games of the V Olympiad in 1912 had their own specialists who prepared athletes for competitions with the help massage. Russian athletes at the beginning of the 20th century, due to the lack of funds to pay for the services of massage therapists, mainly used self-massage. It was most widely used in cycling and speed skating (I.M. Sarkizov-Serazini, 1947). A huge contribution to the development of sports massage in our country belongs to the clinician, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor I.M. Sarkizov-Serazini (1887-1964), who is rightfully considered the founder of sports massage, the creator of a scientific school, continued at the State Central Institute of Physical Education (now the Russian Academy). His students are Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor V.E. Vasilyeva, professor A.A. Biryukov and others created a scientifically based, well-proven system of sports massage, which includes classical, segmental and acupressure in the pre-competition, training, post-competition stages and, accordingly, loads and diseases in athletes. These studies were continued at the Central Research Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy N.A. Beloy, G.A. Panina, V.V. Nikolaeva, T.V. Dementieva (1977-1990).
Under the leadership of Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Ya.S. Weinbaum at the Moscow Pedagogical University continued to develop methods with sports massage with the aim of increasing sports readiness and training effect (1980-1986). Already in 1924, sports massage was included as an independent subject in the training program for qualified physical education personnel, and in 1930, central training courses for sports massage therapists were opened at the Department of Therapeutic Physical Education of the State Center for Physical Education. Sports massage began to be considered as an element of sports training before a start. And sporty massage used and are used according to the method of classical massage to improve the performance of athletes in various sports, in various age categories (children, youth, adults), to achieve high sports results, accelerate recovery, relieve fatigue, and maintain athletic shape. In this case, local and general massage is used with a special effect on the most stressed muscles, taking into account the type of sport and the athlete’s complaints about the feeling of “clogged” muscles.
Scientists (including N.A. Belaya) have shown that for diseases and injuries in athletes, only therapeutic massage, not sports massage, should be used. Exactly massotherapy promotes faster and more effective rehabilitation of sick athletes and restoration of their athletic performance.
Currently Russian classic massage, which has far “stepped over” the borders of our fatherland, is recognized throughout the world and is widely used in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the USA; being implemented in Africa, Mongolia and other countries.
It should be noted that in-depth scientific research therapeutic massage for the purpose of recovery from various diseases and injuries in athletes and cosmonauts, they are widely carried out only in Russia, and to a lesser extent in Germany. In Russia over the past twenty years, the scientific substantiation of the use of massage devoted to scientific works, candidate and doctoral dissertations. Only under the guidance of Professor N.A. Belaya has completed and published more than 50 dissertations, methodological recommendations (60), scientific articles (more than 100). In recognition of Russia's merits in scientific substantiation massage as an independent branch of medicine at the International Presentation and Congress on Massage held in San Francisco (USA), the first presentation was given to Russian delegate N.A. Belaya and President of the Institute of Physical Medicine E. Wagen (1992).
But a number of published (published) books and manuals on massage In recent years, unfortunately, they have been written by physical education teachers who do not have medical knowledge, and therefore contain erroneous provisions that can cause harm to patients. This encourages us to improve therapeutic massage methods based on the knowledge of medical science.

In cases of copying materials and posting them on other sites, the site administration will act in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation on copyright.

People living in the vast Pacific Ocean used it as a medicinal remedy.

The history of the origin of the word “” is interesting. Thus, some authors believe that it came from the Arabic moiii mass or masch (gently knead, press), others from the Greek masso (to rub, knead, squeeze with hands), and still others from the Latin massa (sticking to the muscles).

Since ancient times, massage has been part of medical practice. and were the first to describe massage techniques. Amiot (1779) translated the oldest Chinese book Cong-Fou, written 3000 BC, which, in addition to gymnastics and exercises, contains various techniques.

The Chinese used massage to treat rheumatic pain, dislocations, relieve fatigue, muscle spasms, etc. According to Osbeck, the Chinese rubbed their entire body with their hands, gently squeezing the muscles between the fingers and making special twitches in the joints. These twitchings were accompanied by a crackling sound audible at a considerable distance. In the sacred books of India Ayur-Veda (1800 BC), which was translated by Hessler (1854), the fourth book describes the techniques that the Hindus used for various diseases. Their massage consisted of gently kneading the entire body from the upper limbs to the feet. It was the Indians who combined steam baths with massage. This is how Petit-Radel describes performing a massage in a steam room: “... a certain amount of water is splashed onto heated iron plates, which, evaporating, spreads
wanders through space and penetrates the naked body of everyone in the room. When the body is well hydrated, it is stretched out on the floor, and two servants, one on each side, squeeze the limbs with varying strength, the muscles of which are extremely relaxed, then massage the stomach and chest. After this, it is turned over and similar pressure is applied to the back surface of the body.”

In India and China, massage was performed by clergy. It should be said that in these countries there were schools that taught massage techniques.

Massage in its primitive form was used in America and Africa. Quesnoy writes that the natives of Africa and the peoples of the East do not have a single disease that cannot be treated with massage.

Massage techniques were well known in Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians combined it with the effects of the bath. Alpinus (1583) describes rubbing and other techniques carried out in the baths of Egypt: “... rubbing was widespread to such an extent that no one left the bath without undergoing a massage. To do this, the ground was stretched, kneaded, pressed in all possible ways with the hands of various parts of the body. Then they made several movements in various joints. All this was first done from the front, and then from the back and sides. Then, stretching out their arms, they did the same on them: they bent and stretched various joints of the entire arm, then each finger separately, then moved on to the forearm, shoulder, chest, back, bending them in different directions. Not content with bending, stretching and massaging the joints, all muscles were subjected to the same pressure and rubbing.”

On an alabaster bas-relief found in the palace of the Assyrian king Sancherib in Nicevia, as well as on some Egyptian papyri, images of massage manipulations were found, confirming the assumption that the Assyrians, Persians, and Egyptians were not only familiar with massage, but also used it for therapeutic purposes. purpose.

Homer's poems tell how Circe anointed Odysseus in the bathhouse with oils and rubbed him with ointments, and women kneaded the bodies of warriors before battles. In the bas-relief (Fig. 1), depicting Ulysses returning after the battle, we see massage techniques used by the ancient Greeks. Outstanding Greek doctors Herodikos, Hippocrates and others in their worksdescribed many massage techniques. During the time of Hippocrates, massage was used for hygienic and therapeutic purposes (for joint diseases and dislocations). Thus, Hippocrates wrote: “... the joint can be compressed and relaxed by massage. Friction causes contraction or relaxation of tissues, leading to thinning or fatness, dry and frequent friction tightens, and soft, gentle and moderate thickens tissues.” Massage was widely promoted by Oribaz, who lived during the time of Emperor Julian. Massage (or apotherapy) in Ancient Greece, as a rule, was carried out in baths in combination with bodily exercises of an active or passive nature, rubbing, etc.

Greek doctors (Asclepiades and his students) opened their massage schools in Ancient Rome. Asclepiades divided massage into dry and with oils, strong and weak, short-term and long-term; Celsus recommended rubbing to remove deposits and effusions in tissues; The famous Galen, chief physician of the gladiator school in Pergamon, established nine types of massage and described their methods. Apotherapy was widely used in thermal baths (Roman baths), where there were rooms (trenidariums) specially designed for massage. There the slaves kneaded and rubbed the bodies of the bathers. Getting ready formassage, the latter performed various gymnastic exercises. Then the whole body was massaged. and rubbed it with oils. It was the Romans who introduced massage and the system of military and physical education.

X-XI centuries marked by the flourishing of Arab medicine. And to this day, its famous representatives Abu-Akr, Abu Ibn-Sina (Avicenna) have developed new methods of treating and preventing various diseases. And in his works “The Canon of Medical Science” and “The Book of Healing” Avicenna gave a detailed description of massage techniques.

Baths were widely used in Turkey and 11th century. The school of oriental massage was different from that in Ancient Greece and Rome. According to Ardouin, the Gurkhas massaged like the Egyptians and Africans: they rubbed and pressed with their fingers, and ground tissues. The massage was done in the baths in a separate dry and heated room. Figure can give you an idea of ​​oriental massage. 2 from Avicenna’s “Canon of Medicine”.

The ancient Slavs and the peoples of the North used hardening procedures and massage in the form of sections, rubbing with a broom, and active movements. This form of massage, which the ancient Slavs called waxing, is described in the chronicles of Nestor.

The Russians and Finns, having washed themselves, went into a highly heated steam room, where the bathhouse attendant whipped them with a birch broom softened in water, then rubbed them with it, then doused them with warm and cold water alternately (several buckets) all over their bodies from head to toe. Broom treatment, according to Ardouin (1815), is nothing more than extremely strong rubbing. In this case, the entire body is scraped and rubbed with a broom from top to bottom. This double technique stimulates the skin and ensures harmlessness when immersed in snow or ice water after a bath.

In the Middle Ages, like physical exercise, it was practically not used in Europe. Only with the appearance in the XIV-XV centuries. works on anatomy by Mondi de Siucci, Bertuccio, Pietro Egilata also awakened some interest in medical gymnastics and massage. Du Choul, advisor to King Henry II, wrote a book about the baths and bodily exercises of the ancient Greeks and Romans. A. Rage, founder of surgery, in the 16th century. described massage and its effect on the human body. In the same century, the famous Merculius collected all the literature of that time on gymnastics and wrote the famous essay “The Art of Gymnastics,” in which he described three types of rubbing: weak, strong and medium. In 1771

Rice. 2. Oriental massage (three images of massage from the “Canon”

Andry published a two-volume book on orthopedics, where he spoke in sufficient detail about massage. In 1780, Tissot's essay on physical exercise and massage appeared, where he described in detail various rubbings.

Until the 19th century was not scientifically proven. And only in the 19th century. In Europe and from the second half in Russia, the first clinical and experimental work on massage appeared. This area of ​​medicine was studied by outstanding Russian scientists V. M. Bekhterev, S. G1. Botkin, JI. G. Bellarminov, V. A. Manassein, A. E. Shcherbak and many others. Several dissertations on massage were published from the clinic of Professor V. A. Manassein. A significant contribution to the improvement of massage techniques and methods was made by I. V. Zabludovsky (1851 -1906); he published many books and scientific papers.

n n n Massage originated in ancient times as one of the means of traditional medicine. The founder of the Russian massage system, I.M. Sarkizov-Serazini (1887 -1964), noted: “Not a single nation, both in the distant past and in the present, can attribute to itself the honor of discovering and developing massage techniques. It would be wrong to say that massage was invented by the Chinese, Indians, and Greeks." It can be assumed that massage was originally used by a person as an instinctive gesture in the form of rubbing (stroking, rubbing) to relieve the pain of a bruised or diseased area.

n n The origin of the word “massage” is explained in different ways. Some philologists believe that the term comes from the French verb “masser” - to rub, which, in turn, is borrowed from the Arabic language: “mass” - to touch, touch or “masch” - to gently press. Others believe that the word "massage" has roots in Sanskrit ("makch" - to touch), others - in Greek ("masso" - to squeeze with hands), in Latin ("massa" - to stick to fingers) and Hebrew ("mashasha" " - to feel). Obviously, we can talk about the existence of the concept of “massage” since time immemorial. There is evidence that massage was used in primitive society, in various tribes of South Africa. Its practice is mentioned in literary sources dating back millennia BC. Thus, in the ancient Chinese book “Kung Fu” (“The Art of Man”, 2698 BC) not only massage techniques are described in detail, but also an attempt is made to identify their therapeutic effect, and contains instructions in which cases to use superficial techniques (stroking), in which - deep (rubbing), etc.

n n n In all provinces of China there were medical and gymnastic schools, where doctors acquired the necessary knowledge in the art of massage and where patients arrived for treatment with massage and physical exercises. The most famous school was located in Kanfan, and its director bore the title of “heavenly doctor.” The massage was carried out not only on the muscles, but also on the joints, as evidenced by the following statement: “The Chinese rub their entire body with their hands, gently squeezing the muscles with their fingers, stretching the joints in a special way so that a crunch is heard that can be heard at a great distance.” In the VI century. n. e. The world's first state medical institute was opened in China, where students were taught massage as a compulsory discipline. In the 16th century In China, the encyclopedia “San-Tsai-Tu-Goshi” is published in 64 volumes. This major work collects and systematizes all the massage techniques used at that time: rubbing, kneading, vibration, effleurage, and describes various health-improving movements and the technique of their implementation.

The ancient Indian treatise “Ayurveda” (1800 BC) describes massage techniques, in particular rubbing and kneading. It also contains a list of various diseases, advice on curing, maintaining and promoting health, and states that a happy person is a healthy person. In India and currently in many hospitals, the canons of Ayurveda are followed.

In Egypt, Libya, Nubia and other African countries, massage was known back in the 15th-12th centuries. BC e. Thus, the entries in the “Book of Preparation of Medicines for All Parts of the Body” (XVI-XV centuries BC) were studied in the 19th century. German scientist Georg Ebers. This unique ancient Egyptian treatise, later called the Ebers Papyrus, contains about 900 prescriptions for medicines to cure various diseases, as well as recommendations for the use of oils and balms for massage.

From Egypt, the culture of massage, combined with anointing the body with oils and ointments and the widespread use of baths, came to Ancient Greece. Among the Greeks, the term “apatherapy” meant not only therapeutic and hygienic, but also sports massage. His art was taught in ancient Greek gymnasiums along with physical exercises.

History of the emergence and development of massage in Ancient Greece In Greece, which has an honorable role in the history of physical education, they were the first to use massage before and after various types of physical exercise. It has established itself not only as one of the ways to improve health, but also as an excellent remedy. The Greek physician Geradikos back in the 5th century. BC e. was the first to note the physiological effects of massage on the body.

The doctors of Ancient Rome borrowed the achievements of the theory and practice of massage from the Chinese, Hindus, Egyptians, and Greeks and contributed to its further development as an art of healing and a means of physical education. Massage received especially widespread use in the system of physical education and in medicine thanks to the ancient Roman physician Asclepiad (128 -56 BC). He recommended all types of movement: walking, running, horseback riding, rowing, etc. Asclepiades was an opponent of any kind of drug therapy and strongly promoted gymnastics, massage and water treatments. Along with abstinence from excesses in food and drink, he prescribed kneading and rubbing the whole body, active and passive movements for the sick and convalescent, and recommended massage to relieve pain.

n n Massage in Russia also has a long history. The ancient Slavs, adapting to the harsh climate conditions, washed and steamed in baths, widely using self-massage - whipping the body with a broom. This type of massage was called “horsetailing,” which is nothing more than vigorous rubbing that increases vitality. A similar massage was also common among the Finns and Karelians. In Rus', in the treatment of rheumatic pain and injuries, they successfully used rubbing joints and kneading muscles, used ointments, fats, and potions brewed from herbs and leaves.

n n Massage as a health and healing tool disappeared for a long time from the life of the peoples of Europe with the spread of Christianity in this part of the world, which preached the priority of the spirit over the flesh. Adherents of other religions continued to use massage in medicine and in everyday life. The ideas of Arab doctors contributed to the spread of scientifically based massage in countries close to Arabia - in Persia, Turkey, the Khiva and Bukhara Khanates, in Armenia and Georgia, where it was practiced mainly in public and private baths.

The massage technique in the countries of Asia Minor and Central Asia differed sharply from the classical massage of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome and was called “oriental massage”. It was done not only with hands, but also with feet, trying to “squeeze” venous blood out of the muscles (and movements were often performed against the flow of blood) and give flexibility to the joints. Foot massage, or pedal massage, is still used today, most often in sports practice, when the patient has large and strong muscles and it is difficult to massage them with his hands.

In the Middle Ages, when the West was dominated by the power of the church and its dogmas, the development of science, including medicine, was suspended for centuries. But, despite the brutal persecution of scientists, comprehension of the experience of doctors of Ancient China and Ancient India, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, who developed the scientific foundations of massage, begins.

n n In the XIV-XV centuries. In Europe, after the publication of works on human anatomy, interest in body culture and massage is being revived. Italian scientist of the 16th century. Mercurialis, in his multi-volume study “The Art of Gymnastics”, based on critical analysis, systematizes the works of scientists of past centuries, develops the art of massage, and gives a description of new rubbing techniques. Particular interest in massage in Western Europe was shown after the appearance in 1780 of the major work of the famous French clinician Clément Joseph Tissot, “Medical and Surgical Gymnastics”. The author provides data on the successful use of massage in combination with gymnastics in the postoperative period.

n n A major role in the development of therapeutic and health-improving massage at the beginning of the 19th century. played by Peter Henry Ling, the founder of the Swedish system of massage and gymnastics. From the middle of the 19th century. in many European countries, many theoretical works appear on the healing properties of massage for various diseases, a number of experimental works in which the authors try to scientifically substantiate the effect of massage on various organs and systems of the body. Indications and contraindications for its use are developed, massage techniques are described. A significant role in rethinking massage techniques and classifying its techniques belongs to French doctors.

n n Russian doctors played a significant role in the development and scientific substantiation of the use of massage. Thus, S. G. Zybelin (1735 -1802) and N. M. Ambodik-Maksimovich (1744 - 1812) promoted massage and physical exercise as means of promoting the harmonious development of infants, the founder of domestic therapy M. Ya. Mudrov (1776 - 1831) recommended health-improving movements and massage. Russian scientists V. A. Manassein, S. P. Botkin, A. Ostroumov, G. A. Zakharyin, A. A. Velyaminov made a significant contribution to the development of modern massage techniques.

n n At the end of the 19th century. Leading Russian clinicians are actively involved in the creation of a massage system and its use not only in surgery, but also in other areas of medical practice. Gradually, massage turns from an auxiliary tool into an independent method of treatment. During the same period, centers for training specialists in therapeutic massage emerged in Russia. In St. Petersburg, a massage school was founded by E. I. Zalesova, in Moscow - by K. G. Solovyov, in Kyiv - by V. K. Kramarenko. The introduction of massage into clinics, hospitals, and beauty salons was facilitated by the works of N. V. Sletov and others.

n n The greatest merit in the development of the theory and practice of massage at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. belongs to the Russian scientist, private associate professor of the St. Petersburg Military Medical Academy I. V. Zabludovsky (1851 -1906). He created a harmonious scientific system that became the basis of modern therapeutic, sports and hygienic massage. In the 20th century A.E. Shcherbak (1863 -1934) devoted numerous studies to the influence of mechanical vibration on the human body and created a reflex-segmental massage method. Back in 1922, I.M. Sarkizov-Serazini organized courses in sports and therapeutic massage at the State Central Institute of Physical Culture, and in 1923, the department of therapeutic physical education, medical supervision and massage was created at the institute. Currently, N.A. Belaya, A.A. Biryukov, V.I. Vasichkin, V.I. Dubrovsky, A.M. Tyurin play a significant role in the development of practical massage. The author of this book has created his own massage school.

History of the origin and development of sports massage Rock carvings, historical monuments, ancient literary sources indicate that massage developed and improved in two directions: a therapeutic method used for ailments and after various injuries, and also as a restorative method used after long periods of time. and heavy physical activity to relieve fatigue and restore vital functions.

It can be assumed that this kind of massage appeared and developed independently in connection with the need to provide assistance with muscle and joint pain after a long hunt and obtaining food, and was probably a natural method in many primitive tribes. Subsequently, the civilized peoples of Ancient Greece, the Ancient East, and Ancient Rome began to methodically use it for hygienic purposes and as an independent means of physical education, in combination with physical exercises, games and sports.

History of the emergence and development of sports massage in Russia An irreplaceable merit in the development of the practice and theory of sports massage, before the revolution, of the famous Russian scientist, private associate professor of the St. Petersburg Military Medical Academy Zabludovsky I.V., is that he organized and scientifically substantiated the system that became for modern hygienic, therapeutic and sports massage foundation. It emphasized that massage has a positive effect on the body when performing various physical exercises.

Sports massage was an important method in complex surgical treatment during the Great Patriotic War, and it was used not only in rear hospitals, but also in hospitals in front-line areas for gunshot wounds of the spinal column, limbs, pelvis, etc., as well as for lesions central and peripheral nervous system. An important role in the development of sports massage was played by the students and associates of I. M. Sarkizov-Serazini V. E. Vasilyeva, V. K. Stasenkov, M. I. Leikin, V. L. Fedorov, S. P. Narikashvili, A. A Biryukov.