Massage & Bodywork

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016

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Isn't it curious that even people who might not otherwise be interested in history want to be a part of it? For example, a recent ad for the ABMP-sponsored Back Pain Summit beckoned, "Be part of massage history!" It was billed as "the single largest event in the history of the massage therapy profession," with nearly 14,000 people participating. Participation in a historical event has an undeniable attraction for most human beings. So, why does history tend to be an underappreciated subject, particularly with Americans? Perhaps it was a dry high school history class or a boring teacher who soured the topic for some, or maybe the past was seen as irrelevant to their current lives—too many distant wars and dates to remember. Maybe the sanitized version of history that tends to be presented to kids makes the subject seem bland. The Importance of Knowing the Profession's History The Evolution OF MASSAGE By Patricia J. Benjamin 15,000 BCE 3,000 BCE Prehistoric cave paintings of hands-on therapy. The earliest known book of manual therapy, Cong-Fu of the Toa-Tse, is written in China. Ayurveda originates from Vedic medical texts in India. Ayurveda includes a strong emphasis on massage-like applications. In contrast, there has been a recent resurgence in the study of family ancestry, or genealogy, which offers a direct and personal connection to the past. It turns out that the closer history gets to our immediate lives, the more fascinating it becomes. Consider for a moment that the history of the massage therapy profession might actually be more relevant and interesting than previously imagined, given that it is our chosen vocation. As massage and bodywork practitioners, knowing more about our history has several benefits. For starters, it can help us better grasp our individual places in the ongoing evolution of the field. Study of the past can also shed light on the true nature of the profession, clarifying its identity to ourselves and others. In addition, many of the challenges facing us today can be more clearly understood in a historical perspective, leading to better plans for the coming years. Last, but not least, as massage therapy takes its place as a regulated health profession in North America, having a traceable lineage from one generation to the next gives it more legitimacy in the eyes of the general public and other health-care professionals. The story of the past is not merely nice to know, not just entertaining to read about, but vital to being a mature profession. It is empowering, because it enlarges our vision to include experiences accumulated over time, offers the advantages of hindsight, and confers an earned respectability. Every massage therapist can profit from being better acquainted with the general history of the field, and leaders of professional organizations in particular ought to grasp the historical context of current events before making decisions for the future. Let's take a closer look at the four reasons cited for why massage therapy history is important. Along the way, we'll review some historical highlights and entertain some takeaways for further reflection. shutterstock.com

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