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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