History of massage: origin and evolution
Massage is a manual technique based on the application of different movements and pressures with the hands on the body, with the aim of relieving tension, improving circulation, relaxing muscles, and promoting general well-being.
The word "quiromassage" comes from the Greek "kheir" (hand) and the Latin "massare" (to knead). It literally means "massage with the hands," without the use of any equipment, using only the touch, pressure, and sensitivity of the therapist.
Unlike other more mechanical or automatic types of massage, chiromassage is based on manual listening. The practitioner adapts the technique based on what they feel in the patient's body: areas of tension, blockages, overload, or imbalance.
It primarily works on the muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems, but it also has effects on the emotional level. Often, by relaxing the body, we also release pent-up emotions or reduce mental stress.
In a chiromassage session, different techniques can be applied: kneading, friction, percussion, deep or gentle pressure... Everything depends on the area being treated and the objective of the session: it can be relaxing, muscle-relieving, sports-related, or therapeutic.
Chiromassage is not a substitute for medical treatment, but it is a great support in recovery, prevention, and maintenance of bodily balance. Its main value lies in the connection between hands and body, between the therapist and the recipient. This silent communication through touch is what makes it such an effective and humane technique.
Ancient Roots: Massage in Egypt, Greece and Rome
The history of massage: its origin and evolution is as old as humanity itself. Humans have always instinctively used their hands to relieve pain, soothe tension, and care for the body. The first references to the use of massage as a therapeutic technique date back to the most ancient civilizations.
In Egypt, depictions have been found on papyri and engravings showing people applying friction and pressure with their hands. For them, massage was part of both physical care and rituals of purification and energetic balance. In fact, it was combined with aromatic oils and essences, something we still do today in many consultations.
The Greeks also placed great importance on massage, especially in the context of sports. Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, spoke of massage as a fundamental part of medical treatment. He recommended it for relaxing muscles, improving circulation, and preparing the body for physical exertion. In Greek gymnasiums, it was common to receive a massage before and after exercise.
Later, in the Roman Empire, massage became even more popular, especially in public baths. There, after a hot bath, oil massages were applied to tone the body and relax the mind. It was an accessible practice and highly valued for its hygienic and therapeutic effects.
These ancient cultures understood massage as something natural, necessary, and deeply connected to health. Although chiromassage as we know it today didn't yet exist, the foundation was already there: the healing power of conscious touch.
History of massage: origin and evolution – The East and the art of touch
While in the West, massage evolved in conjunction with classical medicine and physical exercise, in the East it developed from a more energetic and spiritual perspective. In cultures such as China, India, and Japan, massage was used not only to soothe the body but also to balance the vital energy circulating throughout the body.
In traditional Chinese medicine, for example, we find Tuina, an ancient technique that combines manual manipulations with acupuncture principles and work on energy meridians. The goal is not only to relax a muscle, but to unblock the flow of Qi, the energy that gives life to the body. Through pressure, stretching, and mobilization, the goal is to restore harmony between the organs and the environment.
In the Ayurvedic tradition of India, massage (called abhyanga) is performed with medicated oils and has both preventative and therapeutic functions. It is considered a way to care for the body, calm the mind, and maintain balance between the doshas, the energies that govern our bodies.
In Japan, shiatsu massage uses finger and palm pressure on specific points of the body to harmonize energy. This approach is based on deep listening to the body through touch, something that, in my professional experience, is also part of modern chiromassage.
These Eastern traditions contributed a more holistic view of massage: the body is not a machine to be repaired, but a complex system in need of balance. This idea has greatly influenced how we understand manual treatment today in therapies such as osteopathy and chiromassage.
If you are interested in how these oriental techniques are still alive today, I invite you to read about the Benefits of Thai massage, a practice that also combines pressure, stretching, and vital energy. You can also discover How often should you get a Thai massage? according to your physical and emotional needs. What if you try it as a couple? Learn about the experience of shared Thai massage and how it strengthens the emotional connection.
The revival of massage in Europe
During the Middle Ages, many body practices such as massage were relegated, especially in Western Europe, due to religious and cultural influences that viewed physical contact with suspicion. However, in other parts of the world, knowledge of the body and manual techniques continued to thrive.
It was during the Renaissance, with a resurgence of interest in the human body, anatomy, and classical medicine, that massage once again took on an important role in health. As medical studies advanced, people began to better understand how muscles, nerves, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems functioned, and with this, the practice of massage was revived on a more scientific basis.
In the 19th century, particularly in Sweden, Dr. Per Henrik Ling developed what we know today as "Swedish massage." This technique combined anatomical knowledge with specific movements to improve muscle function, relieve tension, and promote recovery. Ling is considered one of the pioneers of modern massage in Europe.
From then on, massage was gradually incorporated into hospitals, gyms, and health centers. Its therapeutic value was recognized, not only in physical rehabilitation but also in prevention and maintenance of physical well-being.
This revival laid the foundation for many of the techniques that are now part of chiromassage. It was the moment when massage ceased to be viewed as something empirical or exclusively traditional and began to be understood as a professional discipline based on knowledge of the body and patient observation.
Birth of modern chiromassage
Chiromassage, as we understand it today in Spain and much of the Spanish-speaking world, has a fundamental name: Vicente Lino Ferrándiz García. It was he who, in the mid-20th century, systematized and professionally shaped a manual massage technique adapted to the needs of the modern body, combining the best of classical massage with an integrative vision of well-being.
Ferrándiz, born in Valencia in 1893, studied and trained in various disciplines related to natural health, massage, and alternative medicine. After many years of practice and observation, he developed his own technique, which he called quiromassage, differentiating it from other methods that relied on devices or instruments. For him, the primary tool was the hands, hence the prefix "quiro-," from the Greek kheir (hand).
The most important aspect of his approach was his desire to professionalize the practice. In the history of massage: origin and evolution, he was significant when he founded schools, wrote manuals, and trained hundreds of massage therapists, not only in Spain but also in Latin America. His method combined techniques of friction, kneading, pressure, percussion, and vibration, all applied with anatomical and physiological focus.
Thanks to his work, chiromassage has established itself as a recognized and valued manual therapy, both for its physical effectiveness and for its ability to relax, balance, and improve people's quality of life.
Today, many of the techniques we massage therapists apply are based on the principles Ferrándiz left behind: presence, technique, sensitivity, and respect for the human body.
Chiromassage today: technique, intuition and well-being
Today, chiromassage is a well-established discipline within the field of manual therapies. While remaining true to its roots, it has evolved by integrating new knowledge about anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and holistic health. Today, we practice it with greater precision, more tailored to each individual, and with a broader perspective on well-being.
The modern massage therapist not only applies a sequence of maneuvers, but also assesses the body's condition, listens to what the tissues communicate through touch, and adapts their work to each situation. There are techniques for relaxation, for decongesting, for activating, for draining... and all of them are applied according to the needs of the moment.
One of the greatest strengths of modern chiromassage is its combination of technique and intuition. On the one hand, it works with a solid foundation: knowledge of muscles, joints, and the circulatory and nervous systems. On the other, it cultivates a manual sensitivity that allows one to perceive what the body needs, even when the person doesn't express it in words.
Furthermore, it is increasingly being integrated with other therapies: osteopathy, reflexology, sports massage, oriental techniques... The goal is not only to relieve specific pain, but also to improve quality of life through conscious and personalized contact.
In consultations, chiromassage often acts as a "reset" for the body. It helps release accumulated tension, improves rest, promotes muscle recovery, and generates an overall sense of harmony. Therefore, beyond the physical, it also has a very positive emotional impact.
Are you interested in massage as part of a holistic approach to wellness? Find out how Yoga can help you improve your sleep or how to incorporate one daily yoga practice can transform body and mind.
The role of massage history: origin and evolution in integrative health
Today, massage therapists occupy an increasingly important place within the integrative health approach, which not only treats symptoms but also seeks to understand the human being as a whole: body, mind, and emotions.
The History of Massage: Origin and Evolution: A chiromassage therapist does not replace a doctor or a physical therapist, but rather accompanies and complements other treatments. Their role consists of observing, consciously touching, and manually working on the body to release tension, improve mobility, and facilitate natural healing processes.
Many people seek massage therapists because they experience muscle pain, fatigue, or stress that doesn't always have a clear medical cause. In these cases, manual therapy can be very effective in relieving these discomforts, but also in preventing major problems and restoring physical balance.
In addition, the massage therapist usually spends time with the person, listening to what they say, observing their posture, breathing, muscle tone... This close accompaniment creates a space of trust where the body can relax and begin to release its burdens.
In a world where we're often rushed and disconnected from our bodies, massage therapists offer something invaluable: presence, contact, and body awareness. And that, often, is the first step toward feeling better.
Touch to heal, yesterday and today
Chiromassage is much more than a manual technique: it's a form of deep communication between therapist and patient, between hands that listen and bodies that speak. Its history, born from the human instinct to care through touch, has evolved since ancient civilizations to become a recognized profession, based on technique and sensitivity.
Over time, we have learned that massage not only relieves muscle tension or improves circulation, but also helps us reconnect with ourselves, release emotional tension, and regain the balance we sometimes lose due to the pace of life.
In an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, massage therapy continues to remind us of something essential: that human contact, delivered with respect and knowledge, remains one of the most powerful forms of healing.
EN 
ES 