Absolutely needed for your locomotors system to enhance your muscle joint flexibility, keep in mind that your move about 200,000 mils in your life spans.

Earliest uses of Exercise therapy.

Massage therapy is one of the earliest techniques used by mankind for the relief of pain and discomfort. All ancient cultures practiced a form of touch or massage as therapy. Often special healers were said to be endowed with powers and skills that enabled them to use therapeutic touch as a pain reliever and also to improve health and well being. The following history was taken from Mark F. Beck, Milady's Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage, Second Edition, Milady Publishing Company, Albany N.Y., 1994, Chapter 1.

Massage therapy was practiced by the Chinese as early as 3000 B.C. An ancient book called The Cong Fou of Tao-Tse wrote about medicinal plants, exercises and massage to treat disease and maintain health. They used a technique called amma to find points on the body where massage might prove most effective. Massage was also brought to India from China and has been a part of the Hindu tradition for over 3000 years. The sacred writings include massage treatments among the hygenic principles and duties of everyday life.

Massage spread from the East to Europe and flourished in Greece before 300 B.C. In the Iliad and Odyssey, Homer spoke of the need for nutritious foods, exercise and massage to promote healing and relaxation. The early Greek physicians created Gymnasiums to promote health and treat disease. Massage and gymnastics were integral parts of these centers where philosophers and athletes gathered to exercise and discuss ideas. Greek women participated in gymnastics and dancing and made this a part of their health and beauty routine. Thus, the holistic health centers were born.

Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, discussed and taught massage and believed that all physicians should be trained in massage as a method of healing. Massage arts spread to Rome and were incorporated into the healing arts to relieve headaches, strengthen muscles and combat paralysis. A prominent medical writer, Galen, wrote books on hygienic health, exercise and massage to maintain a healthy body and mind. His medical books were in use for over 1000 years.

The early Chinese techniques spread to Japan in the 6th century A.D., The points of stimulation (amma) were pressed to improve circulation of fluids, stimulate nerves and the life force energy (called Ki). This technique is now called Shiatsu and has become popular recently.

With the decline of the Roman Empire and the Dark Ages massage declined in popularity. It was practiced by midwives, laypeople, and folk healers. However, with the Renaissance, the classical writings of the Greeks, Romans and Persians emerged again and interest in massage as part of the improvements in physical and mental health was revived. By the early 1500's massage practices were taught once again to physicians as part of the healing practices. Ambroise Pare, one of the founders of modern surgery, described various types of massage techniques. He restored the health of Mary, Queen of Scots by use of massage. From the 1500-1700's, the emerging sciences of anatomy, physiology and pathology were integrated with the ancient techniques of massage, manipulations, and exercises to promote health and healing.