You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters. Saint Bernard
Lava
MASSAGE TOOLS AND MASSAGE STONES
According to R.N. Calvert (The History Of Massage, Healing Art Press, 1992), the oldest manual massage device was a Neolithic Jade Ritual Blade from Shang Dynasty (2000BCE): "Scholars have suggested that it was a ritual healing tool related to massage stones-smooth stones that were heated and placed on tired muscles" (pg.149).
In Mesopotamia, Egypt and Ancient Greece and Roman Empires, various strigils(Latin strigilis; akin to Latin stringere to touch; lightly curved scraping instrument) and ferules (Latin ferula giant fennel, ferule, a flat instrument) were frequently used. Strigils that came from India with the Army of Alexander the Great were used to scrap the excess oil or dust before and after the exercise while ferules were a superficial tapping tool. In Ancient Chinese massage practices, because of the longer tradition and a higher level of sophistication in regards to body treatments, a great number of devices have been developed. Sometimes the tools were used directly from nature, sometimes they were slightly altered.
Chinese practices used a variety of stones(jade, marble, volcanic) that were placed on the body either heated or cooled. The treatments also fluctuated according to season and body types from Yin (stoned placed or hold to penetrate) to Yang (stones rubbed to activate the circulation).
Many believe that the true origin of stone therapy is in China. Some practitioners (such as Andrew Pacholyk, DAc) believe that the stone therapy, dating back 5000 year, comes partially from to India and partially from the Mayan culture. Yogis within the Ayurvedic medicine work with Pranic (life) energy using breathing, meditation exercise and massage to alter consciousness for healing and longevity.
They used their hands for manipulation and utilize tools from the earth such as herbs, flowers, crystals and stones. Smooth basalt stones and sticks made of guava tree were also used in lomi-lomi treatments in Hawaii. Balls of raw lava were also first exfoliation tools known to Hawaiian people.
Safayatic rock inscription,basalt stones
Himalayan Mani Stones
Beside stones, Ancient China was also quite creative in terms of providing clients with various body sensory experiences. Swan’s feathers were used for light tapotement, massage clubs and bats (made of bamboo and mulberry wood) for heavy percussion.
So-called “knuckles” made of jade provided a deep pressure for the client and gave a relief to practitioner’s knuckles while Chinese wooden needles were used for mostly vertical pressure on acupressure points. Unfortunately, one of the most famous and most effective Chinese techniques, Gua Sha , that include a very deep friction and scrapping for immediate relief from pain, stiffness, fever, chill, cough, nausea, is virtually unknown in North America’s therapeutic practice.
In Europe and North America, on the other hand, not one significant massage tool development was seen before the beginning of 20 century. Europe was in love with brushing and tools that will enhance the beauty of the face (Russian face rollers, porcelain rollers etc.) Some of first electrical massage devices and plenty of mechanical tools were made in United States (many of them invented by Dr Kellogg himself, such as bull muscle beater) and often endorsed by MD’s. China is a great manufacturer of massage and esthetic tools such as jade rollers and bongers, massageballs, medicine pillows, knuckles and various types of advanced Gua Sha tools.
