Who doesn ’ t like a massage ? Well , we ’ re sure there are some ( strange ) people who don ’ t enjoy them , but , we like ‘ em . A lot . Massage is a fabulous thing . And it ’ s a natural and instinctual thing too – if we knock into something we often rub the injured area to make it feel better . When babies cry , we soothe them by rubbing their backs . And since massage is so natural , it ’ s no surprise that the practice of it – the practice of professionals helping individuals with their aches , pains , and their need to relax – has been around for a good long while too .

The idea of touch as a healing mechanism dates back to at least 3,000 BC , and there is certainly evidence that massage was practiced in both Egypt and China at those times . Healers discovered that a simple touch in the right place with the right amount of pressure could relieve pain , heal injuries , and even cure illnesses . And of course , it promoted deep relaxation , which allowed the body the time it needed to mend itself .

It is thought that the first place in the world to practice massage regularly , for both healing and spiritual purposes , was India . It is the basis of Ayurveda , a holistic medical system that is traditionally passed down orally to the next generation of practitioners , and which is believed to have divine origins . This method of healing soon spread across Southeast Asia , and the idea behind it was to re-align the body with nature , giving the ‘ patient ’ inner peace and harmony .

As massage and the ideas behind it spread across the world , different versions were created . These include Japanese shiatsu , the Swedish gymnastic system , African rungu , hot ( and cold ) stone massage , Turkish hammam , and the infamous Thai massage to name just a few .

Over the millennia , massage has morphed from being purely about healing to being about pampering too . Although massage is still used in physiotherapy and to alleviate pain , it is more usually seen as a treat , as something to be spoiled with . And why not ? Men and women in the 21st century have never had less of a work-life balance , and if a massage can help restore that balance , then it has to be a good idea . With the abundance of spas and spa hotels in Kent , we truly are spoiled for choice .

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