Origin of the medical massage

The first references to massage, as a stimulation technique through frictions and pressure made by the hands or an instrument are to be traced back to 2700 years ago in some Chinese Medicine manuscripts.
It is described in 2000-year-old Indian texts as a relaxing and loosening technique. Homer mentioned it in the Odyssey as a treatment for health recovery in warriors. Hippocrates advised them as physical therapy.
The Greeks started to consider massage techniques for sports or as curative methods. The massage became essential as it was practiced in thermal baths as a beauty treatment.

Galen, a Roman doctor of the II century, masseur of the emperor and the gladiators, wrote more than ten book about massage techniques..