Historic Overview of Massage Parlours
Expert opinion is divided on the origins of the massage parlour.
One thing’s for sure, however, the therapeutic effect of touch in the form of massage has been known to mankind for over 5,000 years.
From the data available, it becomes abundantly clear that massage was seen primarily as a remedy, even a panacea, for healing injuries, relieving pain and generally promoting both physical and emotional well-being, in ancient times. Interestingly, massage was also used to de-stress and induce relaxation.
The Colourful History of Massage Parlours
* Some of the earliest written records of the healing benefits of massage can be traced back to China, c. 2,700 BCE.
* The early Egyptians practised a remarkably sophisticated type of massage therapy akin to contemporary reflexology techniques. (Fascinating pictorial evidence of masseurs in action has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, dating back to c. 2,500 BCE).
* Massage was practised routinely as part of many ancient Eastern philosophies, e.g. Ayurveda (the ancient Hindu natural science of health and medicine). Ayurvedic massage techniques are clearly documented in several early texts; it has also been established that Ayurvedic massage was used throughout India and Southeast Asia, as far back as 1,500 BCE.
* The Japanese developed their own form of traditional massage, in approximately 1,000 BCE, based on traditional Chinese medicine and early Chinese massage techniques.
* By the 8th century BCE, the use of massage in holistic healing was widespread throughout civilised Western societies.
* In ancient Greece, a powerful type of massage (not dissimilar to a modern-day sports’ massage) was used on athletes to give them an edge over the competition in the sports’ arena.
* Hippocrates, the Greek physician (c. 460 – 337 BCE), apparently used a rudimentary form of ‘rubbing’ or massage to aid the healing process.
* The Romans can arguably lay claim to the introduction of the first erotic massage parlours. Famed as centres of pleasure, leisure and relaxation, the lavish Roman Public Baths or Thermae featured magnificent spa facilities including hot rooms, plunge pools and private massage parlours, which were particularly popular with the regular clientele.
Did you know that …
… the Roman Emperor, Constantine (c.274 – 337 CE), criticised the public baths as venues of debauchery and decadence?
The Evolution of the Massage Parlour
From its early beginnings as a place of natural healing, the massage parlour fell gradually into disrepute; its less than squeaky-clean image attributed largely to tales of Thermae, excess and carnal indulgence.
Over the ages, the already dubious reputation of the massage parlour took a further bashing, particularly in Puritan England, during the seventeenth century, when the term massage parlour became synonymous with the sex trade.
Modern Massage Parlours
To this day, the meaning of ‘massage parlour’ is often misinterpreted. Although, the emphasis has clearly shifted, many reputable massage parlours remain tainted with the same brush as brothels. This, of course, is unfair as such misguided opinion tends to be promoted by those who are least well informed.
One thing’s for sure, however, the therapeutic effect of touch in the form of massage has been known to mankind for over 5,000 years.
From the data available, it becomes abundantly clear that massage was seen primarily as a remedy, even a panacea, for healing injuries, relieving pain and generally promoting both physical and emotional well-being, in ancient times. Interestingly, massage was also used to de-stress and induce relaxation.
The Colourful History of Massage Parlours
* Some of the earliest written records of the healing benefits of massage can be traced back to China, c. 2,700 BCE.
* The early Egyptians practised a remarkably sophisticated type of massage therapy akin to contemporary reflexology techniques. (Fascinating pictorial evidence of masseurs in action has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, dating back to c. 2,500 BCE).
* Massage was practised routinely as part of many ancient Eastern philosophies, e.g. Ayurveda (the ancient Hindu natural science of health and medicine). Ayurvedic massage techniques are clearly documented in several early texts; it has also been established that Ayurvedic massage was used throughout India and Southeast Asia, as far back as 1,500 BCE.
* The Japanese developed their own form of traditional massage, in approximately 1,000 BCE, based on traditional Chinese medicine and early Chinese massage techniques.
* By the 8th century BCE, the use of massage in holistic healing was widespread throughout civilised Western societies.
* In ancient Greece, a powerful type of massage (not dissimilar to a modern-day sports’ massage) was used on athletes to give them an edge over the competition in the sports’ arena.
* Hippocrates, the Greek physician (c. 460 – 337 BCE), apparently used a rudimentary form of ‘rubbing’ or massage to aid the healing process.
* The Romans can arguably lay claim to the introduction of the first erotic massage parlours. Famed as centres of pleasure, leisure and relaxation, the lavish Roman Public Baths or Thermae featured magnificent spa facilities including hot rooms, plunge pools and private massage parlours, which were particularly popular with the regular clientele.
Did you know that …
… the Roman Emperor, Constantine (c.274 – 337 CE), criticised the public baths as venues of debauchery and decadence?
The Evolution of the Massage Parlour
From its early beginnings as a place of natural healing, the massage parlour fell gradually into disrepute; its less than squeaky-clean image attributed largely to tales of Thermae, excess and carnal indulgence.
Over the ages, the already dubious reputation of the massage parlour took a further bashing, particularly in Puritan England, during the seventeenth century, when the term massage parlour became synonymous with the sex trade.
Modern Massage Parlours
To this day, the meaning of ‘massage parlour’ is often misinterpreted. Although, the emphasis has clearly shifted, many reputable massage parlours remain tainted with the same brush as brothels. This, of course, is unfair as such misguided opinion tends to be promoted by those who are least well informed.
