History of massage: origin, evolution, and interesting facts about an ancient practice
Massage is a manual technique based on the application of different movements and pressures with the hands on the body, with the aim of releasing tension, providing a pleasant feeling of bodily relaxation, and relaxing the muscles. to support general well-being. The history of massage, its origins and evolution, reveals how these techniques have been appreciated over time.
The word "chiromassage" comes from the Greek "kheir" (hand) and the Latin "massare" (to knead). That is, it literally means "massage with the hands," without the use of any equipment, relying solely on the touch, pressure, and sensitivity of the massage therapist.
Unlike other more mechanical or automated types of massage, therapeutic massage is based on manual dexterity. The practitioner adapts the technique according to what they perceive in the person's body: areas of tension, strain, or areas with a feeling of heaviness.
It works on the muscles and provides a pleasant feeling of calm and bodily relaxation. Often, by relaxing the body, we also help to release emotional tension or reduce mental stress levels.
In a therapeutic massage session, different techniques can be applied: kneading, friction, percussion, deep or gentle pressure… It all depends on the area to be worked on and the objective of the session: it can be relaxing, decontracting or a sports massage for well-being.
Chiromassage is a wellness practice and not healthcare, but it is a valuable complement to self-care routines, maintaining physical well-being, and providing moments of relaxation. Its main value lies in the connection between hands and body, between the practitioner and the recipient. This silent communication through touch is what makes it such a cherished 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. From the beginning, human beings have instinctively used their hands to alleviate discomfort, relieve tension, and care for the body. The earliest references to the use of massage appear in the most ancient civilizations.
In Egypt, depictions have been found on papyrus 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 balance. In fact, it was combined with aromatic oils and essences, something we still do today in many wellness centers.
The Greeks also placed great importance on massage, especially in the context of sports. Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, spoke of massage as an important part of body care. He recommended it for relaxing muscles 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, massages with oils were applied to tone the body and relax the mind. It was an accessible practice and highly valued for both its hygienic and wellness benefits.
These ancient cultures understood massage as something natural, necessary, and deeply connected to body care. Although therapeutic massage as we know it today didn't yet exist, the foundation was already there: the power of conscious touch.
History of massage: origin and evolution – The East and the art of touch
While in the West massage evolved in connection with classical culture and physical exercise, in the East it developed from a more energetic and spiritual perspective. In cultures such as Chinese, Indian, and Japanese, massage was used not only to relax the body but also to support the concept of energetic balance that circulates throughout the organism according to their traditions.
In Chinese tradition, for example, we find Tuina, an ancient technique that combines manual manipulation with principles of traditional acupuncture and work on the meridians. According to this tradition, the goal is not only to relax a muscle, but also to support the flow of Qi, the energy that gives life to the body in their cultural view. Through pressure, stretching, and mobilization, the aim is to promote harmony between the organs and the environment.
In the Ayurvedic tradition of India, massage (called abhyanga) is performed with oils and is considered a way to care for the body, calm the mind, and maintain balance between the doshas, which are the energies that, according to this tradition, govern our organism.
In Japan, shiatsu massage uses finger and palm pressure on specific points of the body. This approach is based on deeply listening to the body through touch, something that is also part of modern therapeutic massage.
These Eastern traditions contributed a more holistic view of massage: the body is not a machine to be repaired, but a complex system to be supported. This idea has greatly influenced how we understand manual wellness work today in practices such as therapeutic massage.
If you're interested in how these Eastern techniques are still alive today, I invite you to read about the benefits of Thai massage, a practice that also combines pressure, stretching, and mindful movement. You can also discover How often should you get a Thai massage? according to your preferences and wellness routine. What if you try it as a couple? Discover 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 the resurgence of interest in the human body and anatomy, that massage regained its importance. As anatomical studies progressed, a better understanding of how muscles, nerves, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems functioned emerged, and with this understanding, the practice of massage was revived with a more structured foundation.
In the 19th century, particularly in Sweden, Per Henrik Ling developed what we now know as "Swedish massage." This technique combined anatomical knowledge with specific movements to support muscle function and release tension. Ling is considered one of the pioneers of modern massage in Europe.
From then on, massage was gradually incorporated into gyms and wellness centers. Its value as a complement to body care and the maintenance of well-being was recognized.
This revival laid the foundation for many techniques that are now part of therapeutic massage. It was the moment when massage ceased to be seen as something exclusively empirical or traditional, and began to be understood as a discipline based on knowledge of the body and observation of the person.
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 and massage. After many years of practice and observation, he developed his own technique, which he called chiromassage, differentiating it from other methods that relied on devices or instruments. For him, the primary tool was the hands, and that is why he chose the prefix "chiro-", from the Greek kheir (hand).
The most important aspect of his approach was his desire to professionalize the practice. He played a significant role in the history of massage, its origins and evolution, founding schools, writing manuals, and training 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 an anatomical understanding.
Thanks to his work, therapeutic massage became established as a recognized and valued manual practice, both for its technical precision and for its ability to relax and support people's quality of life.
Today, many of the techniques that we, as wellness massage professionals, apply are based on the principles left by Ferrándiz: presence, technique, sensitivity, and respect for the human body.
Chiromassage today: technique, intuition and well-being
Today, therapeutic massage is a well-established discipline within the field of manual wellness techniques. While remaining true to its roots, it has evolved by integrating new knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. We now practice it with greater precision, tailoring it to each individual and with a broader perspective on well-being.
The modern massage therapist doesn't just apply a sequence of techniques; they observe the body's condition, listen to what the tissues are communicating through touch, and adapt their approach to each situation. There are techniques for relaxation, for releasing tension, for energizing, and for promoting a sense of freedom, all applied according to the specific needs of the moment.
One of the great strengths of modern massage therapy is the 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 cannot express it verbally.
Furthermore, it is increasingly integrated with other wellness practices: foot reflexology, sports massage, oriental techniques… The goal is to support quality of life through conscious and personalized contact.
In the center, therapeutic massage often acts as a "reset" for the body. It helps release accumulated tension, promotes relaxation, provides a feeling of muscle looseness, and generates an overall sense of harmony. Therefore, beyond the physical benefits, it also has a very positive emotional impact.
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The role of therapeutic massage in today's wellness routines
Today, the massage therapist occupies a valuable place within a global approach to wellness, which understands the human being as a whole: body, mind and emotion.
Chiromassage is not healthcare and does not replace the advice, assessment, or treatment of a qualified healthcare professional, but it can be a complementary wellness practice and part of a body care routine. It involves observing, consciously touching, and manually working on the body to release tension, promote a greater sense of ease, and support self-care routines.
Many people visit a massage therapist because they feel tired or stressed and are looking for a relaxing break. In these cases, manual therapy can be very beneficial as a complement to their daily routine. If you experience persistent pain or have a health condition, we recommend consulting your qualified healthcare professional first.
In addition, the massage therapist usually dedicates time to the person, listens to what they say, observes their posture, their breathing, their muscle tone… This close support creates a space of trust where the body can relax and begin to release tension.
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.
Playing with awareness, yesterday and today
Chiromassage is much more than a manual technique: it is a form of profound communication between the giver and the receiver, between hands that listen and bodies that speak. Its history, born from the human instinct to care through touch, has evolved from ancient civilizations to become a recognized profession within the field of wellness, grounded in both technique and sensitivity.
Over time, we have learned that massage not only provides a feeling of bodily relaxation or greater calm, but also helps to reconnect with oneself, release emotional tension and regain that balance that we sometimes lose due to the pace of life.
In an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, therapeutic massage continues to remind us of something essential: that human contact, performed with respect and knowledge, remains one of the most valuable forms of care.
The therapeutic massage we offer at Quiroesencia is a wellness and relaxation practice. It is not medical care and in no way replaces the advice, assessment, or treatment of a qualified healthcare professional. If you are experiencing persistent discomfort or have a health condition, we recommend consulting your qualified healthcare professional before your session.
