The fame and honour of being called a father of Swedish massage goes to Peter Henry Ling (1776-1837) who systematized a method of medical gymnastic.
According to late Robert Noah Calvert, all types of bodyworks that do not include basic “Swedish” strokesare not essentially massage. In many ways this is a correct definition.
The Massage Therapy Act, established in 1991, defines the massage as “the practice of massage therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain”. (1991, c. 27, s. 3).
Nevertheless, the history of bodywork and massage has been closely knitted in 20 century so it is sometimes hard to tell them apart.
At the end of the 19 century there were significant breakthroughs in terms of understanding how body and mind are connected. Jin Shin Jyutsu, a Japanese form of Acupressure, was developed in Japan by Jiro Murai and brought to North America 60 years later.
At the same time, in earliest 1900’, Australian actor F. M. Alexander developed The Alexander Technique.
Sigmund Freud's interest in terrain beyond conscious life, hypnotism and study of hysteria led him to study with the neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in Paris. When Freud returned to Vienna, he began using new tools such hypnosis, massage and pressure on the head to get patients to dredge up thoughts related to their symptoms. Based initially on Freud’s work, Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957) described the 'character armour' in 1930’s as a muscular tensions created by suppression of emotions and natural sexual feelings. He attempted to cure neuroses indirectly by releasing their corresponding muscle tensions.
Several therapies developed as a result of connecting somatic work and psyche:
Bioenergetic Analysis , as a body-oriented form of psychotherapy. A direct descendent of Reichian therapy
Hakomi is a body-centered, somatic psychotherapy designed by Ron Kurtz, an influential force in progressive psychotherapy in 1970’s
Between 1950’s to 1990’s, a great number of therapies were either invented or evolved such as:
Hoshino Therapy, also an official medical therapy in Argentina developed by Tomezo Hoshino
Rolfing, developed by Ida Rolf, also called “a structural integration works on the web-like complex of connective tissue (fascia) to release, realign and balance the whole body”.
Craniosacral Therapydeveloped by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University
Myofascial Release is a philosophy of care in which the therapist facilitates the patient's own inherent ability to correct soft tissue dysfunction based on osteopathy
Polarity Training that works with the Human Energy Field and stubborn electromagnetic patterns
Trigger Point Therapy,a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body and
Zero Balancing, developed by osteopath and acupuncturist Dr. Fritz Smith
In lasts decade of the 20 century massage became more open to the public in terms of being both more visible as well as more supported by carefully documented research.
The Touch Research Institute ,established in 1992 by Tiffany Field, Ph.D. at the University of Miami School of Medicine, was a first Institute devoted solely to the research of touch and tai chi, yoga and acupuncture.
In Canada, research has been established through the Holistic Health Research Foundation of Canada.
Around 1990’s, David Palmer created and promoted On Site Massage using a specially designed, portable massage chair that can be easily set up in offices or at public events in combination with acupressure type of, over-the-clothes, body work.
In the future we can realistically expect stronger regulatory practices, more hours of training and more properly funded research in both North America and over seas.
The suggested cost for one hour of registered massage therapy treatment is about 75.00 CAD (plus GST). With the exception of British Columbia, where massage therapy is partially covered for individuals with income under 27,000.00 per year, most provincial medical plans do not cover massage therapy but most extended plans do.If you are in need of massage treatment, please check your insurance and find out if it is covered. Even if is not, many recent studies showing effectiveness of massage therapy for pain related conditions, will convince you that massage therapy is a very reasonable and efficient expenditure of your money and time.
If you wish to book the treatment or buy a gift certificate for yourself, your friends or family members please visit our CLINIC page, call 416-878-5392 or send us an e-mail with your request.
