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Pain referral
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Historical timeline of manual medicine
As developed
by the authors and direct quotes from:
Massage Therapy Principles &
Practice, by Susan G.
Salvo
Healing Massage Techniques – Holistic, Classic, and Emerging Methods – Second Edition, by Frances
M. Tappan
Principles of Manual Medicine – Second
Edition, by Philip E.
Greenman
CLICK HERE to watch Dr. Philip E. Greenman discusses somatic dysfunction.
If you know which year you
want to start with, click on its link below to go directly there.
15000B.C.
25 B.C.
1600
1825
1850
1880
1900
1920
1970
1992
15,000 B.C. –
European cave paintings depict what appears to be the use of therapeutic touch.
8000
B.C. – The Yoga
cult in
3000
B.C. – Chinese
records reveal practice of massage.
2760
B.C. – Some
historians argue the actual date of Nei Ching was written around this
time.
2000
B.C. – It was at
this time the Inca had a higher success rate for trepanation (surgical
procedure involving the removal of a segment of the skull), than the Europeans
had in A.D.1800. Also at this time, it is believed that the art of massage was
first mentioned in writing.
1800
B.C. – Knowledge
of massage gradually becomes an integral part of Hindu tradition as exemplified
by the sacred Ayur-veda.
Between
700 and 600 B.C. –
The concept of health and medicine in the West began to take shape. Also during
this time, the legendary Greek physician, Asclepius evolved into a god
responsible for the emerging medical profession. His holy snake and staff still
remain the symbols of the medical profession.
500
B.C. – The various
ideas of healing and treatment in
460-375
B.C. – Life of
Hippocrates, a Greek physician known as the “Father of Medicine.”
430
B.C. – At this
time, Hippocrates wrote, “It is necessary to rub the shoulder following
reduction of a dislocated shoulder. It is necessary to rub the shoulder gently and
smoothly.”
300
B.C. – Manav
Dharma Shastra, work mentioning therapeutic massage.
200 B.C.
– Chinese manuscripts denote massage as one method of treatment for illness.
Between
201 B.C. and A.D. 1-100 – Chinese medicine began to take on its basic shape.
100
B.C. – Various
schools of medical thought had been founded and had already begun to produce
diverging ideas. These various ideas and beliefs were compiled under the name
of the mythical Yellow Emperor and have become the classic scripture of traditional
Chinese medicine, the Huang-ti-nei-ching. Although the exact date of the
original writing of the work is unknown, it was already in its present form by
approximately the first century B.C.
100-40
B.C. – Julius
Caesar uses massage to help with his epilepsy.
90 B.C – Acupuncture is mentioned in Chinese
medical writing.
25 B.C – A.D. 50 – Life of Aulus Aurelius Cornelius Celsus, who wrote on friction.
A.D.
130-200 – Life
of Galen, whose writings dominated Western medical thinking for 1500 years.
A.D.
476 – In this
time, after the collapse of the
A.D.
600 – The
techniques and use of massage were well established in
A.D.
625-690 – Life of
Paul of Aegina, among the last of the Greco-Roman writers to consider treatment
by mechanical means and advocated the bending, stretching and rubbing of
paralyzed limbs.
A.D.
642 – Following
the fall of
A.D.
700 – By this
time, there was a Chinese ministry of health and a public health system.
A. D.
850-932 – An
encyclopedic work by Persian Rhazes discussed Greek, Roman, and Arabic medical
practices, including massage.
A.D.
980-1037 – Life of
Abu-Ali al-Husayn ibn-Sina, generally known as Avicenna, a Persian physician
who authored numerous medical books that remained standard until the 17th
century. His Canon of Medicine was an especially famous medical text, which
compiled the theoretical and practical medical knowledge of the time.
A.D.
1250-1550 – This
was the time of the Renaissance; an exciting period in the history of medicine
and medical treatments.
A.D.
1316 – First
modern treatise on anatomy, Anothomia, written by Mondino dei Luzzi
1492 – Christopher Columbus, in an attempt to reach Asia
from Europe , discovered America
1493-1541 – Life of Philippus von Hohenheim,
also known as Paracelsus, a Swiss physician, who laid the foundations of
chemical pharmacology.
1510-1590 – Life of Ambroise Pare`, a French
military surgeon, who established new surgical procedures. In addition to
inventing several surgical instruments, Pare` was among the earliest modern physicians
to discuss the therapeutic effects of massage, especially in orthopedic surgery
cases. He even went so far as to classify various types of massage movements.
Not until the sixteenth century was interest renewed when he sought an
anatomical and physiologic foundation for mechanotherapy.
1514-1564 – Foundations of modern human anatomy
in the West are established by Flemish physician Andreas Vesalius.
1530-1606 – Life of Girolamo Mercuriale, a
notable Renaissance physician.
1551-1615 – Life of Timothy Bright, another
notable Renaissance physician.
1569 – Girolamo Mercuriale writes De
Arte Gymnastica, considered the first book in the field of sports medicine.
1578-1657 – Life of William Harvey, who
demonstrated that blood circulation in animals, is impelled by the beat of the
heart through arteries and veins.
1584 – Timothy Bright, while teaching at
1600 –
Publishing of two East Asian works dealing with massage. The Chinese
publication contains a chapter on pediatric massage, and the Japanese
publication deals with passive and active massage procedures.
1608-1679 – Life of Giovanni Alfonso Borelli,
who carried out extensive anatomical dissections and had analyzed the
phenomenon of muscular contraction.
1624-1689 – Life of Thomas Sydenham, an English
physician who was most prominent in the realization that it is necessary to
compile complete clinical descriptions of disease, generally at bedsides, and
to develop specific remedies for each specific disease.
1700 – In
1728-1797 – Life of Simon Andre` Tissot, who was
an important figure in physiotherapy.
Mid 1700’s – Simon Tissot publishes works on
gymnastic exercises that recommend massage for various diseases.
1776-1839 – Life of Pehr Henrik Ling, a Swedish
physiologist, fencing major and gymnastics instructor. He began a study of
massage after he had cured himself of rheumatism in the arm by percussions, and
developed a method of massage consisting of the two disciplines. He based his
system on physiology, which was just emerging as a science.
1784 – Dr. Edward Harrison graduated from
The
1800’s - The
19th century was a time of turmoil and controversy in medical
practice.
1800 – Swedish physiologist, Pehr Ling,
develops the ‘Ling System’ of medical gymnastics and exercise.
1813-1839 – Ling taught massage techniques at
the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics, which he founded with
government support. This was the first college to include massage in the
curriculum. Ling’s students subsequently published his theories, and
through them and the many foreign students at the Central Institute of
Stockholm, Ling’s system soon became known in a great part of the world. Today,
we refer to most “standard” massage as Swedish Massage.
1825-1861 –
Life of Henry Gray, who wrote the first English edition of Gray’s Anatomy
in 1858 and had completed the Second edition in 1861, just prior to his death.
The American edition was released in 1859 with revisions including the
correction of typos, index improvements, and the binding made more durable. As
a physician, he held numerous prestigious positions as a lecturer, author and
house surgeon with
1828-1917 – Life of Andrew Taylor Still, a
medical physician trained in the preceptor fashion of the day. His
disenchantment with the medical practice of the day led to his formulation of a
new medical philosophy, which he termed osteopathic medicine.
1839-1909 – Life of Johann Mezger, a Dutch
physician who was a key individual in the history of massage. Mezger is
generally given credit for making massage a fundamental component of physical
rehabilitation; he has been credited for the introduction of the still-used French
terminology into the massage profession (e.g. effleurage, petrissage, and
tapotement).
1843-1913 – Life of Just Lucas-Championniere,
who advocated the use of massage and passive motion exercises after injuries,
especially fractures. Championniere’s works would influence and serve to
catapult numerous individuals to prominence. Initially affected was Sir Robert
Jones, who in turn influenced Mary McMillan, James B. Mennell and Edgar Cyriax.
McMillan was later recognized as the “mother of physiotherapy.” Mennell’s son
John helped to found the North American Academy of Manipulative Medicine
(NAAMM) and altruistically contributed to the works in the field. Cyriax’s son
James was the first to reference reflex pain and became internationally
renowned as a lecturer in the field of orthopedics. He championed physical
assessment and manual soft tissue and structural technique. After
obtaining significant political favor for his work in structural and soft
tissue manipulation, he became equally as renowned for his condemnation of
other manipulative practitioner’s such as osteopaths and chiropractors.
Therefore, he is either considered a hero or a villain depending upon the
practitioner that’s consulted.
1845-1913 – Life of Daniel David Palmer, a
grocer known to practice as a magnetic healer and a self-educated manipulative
therapist.
1849-1919 – Life of Sir William Osler, who was
called the “most influential physician in history,” and the “master of hands-on
physical assessment.” He also helped to create the system of postgraduate
training for physicians, which is still followed today.
Mid 1800’s –
The Sweet Family practiced the lay art of ‘bone setting” in
1852-1943 – Life of John Harvey Kellogg, who
wrote numerous books on massage, and published Good Health, a magazine that
targeted the general public
Between
1854-1918 – The
practice of massage developed from an obscure, unskilled trade to a field of
medical health care, and the profession of physical therapy began.
1856 – Ling System introduced in the
1874 – Andrew Taylor Still first proposed
his philosophy and practice of osteopathy.
1879 – It was at this time, some 5 years
after his announcement of the development of osteopathy, that Andrew Taylor Still
became known as the “lightning bonesetter.”
Late 1800’s –
Dr. Douglas Graham publishes several books on the history of massage.
1881-1961 – Life of Bartlett Joshua Palmer, son
of Daniel David Palmer, gave the chiropractic profession its momentum, although
it was his father who is given credit for the origin of chiropractic.
1883 – Nissen opens the Swedish Health
Institute for the Treatment of Chronic Disease.
1880 – About this time, Just Marie
Marcellin Lucas-Championniere claimed that in fractures, the soft tissue union
as well as bony union should be considered.
1888 – Nissen’s paper “Swedish Movement and
Massage” is published in several medical journals.
1889 – Sir William Osler became the first
professor of medicine at
1892 – The first college of osteopathic
medicine, the
1894 – Formation of The Society of Trained
Masseuses in
1895 – Dr. Daniel D. Palmer first founded
chiropractic as a science, art, and philosophy. Dr. Palmer reportedly “cured” a
janitor who was deaf in one ear for over 2 years by “adjusting” the janitor’s
neck vertebra back to normal. After which, the janitor’s hearing was restored.
Dr. Palmer instituted the profession of chiropractic and established the first
school in
1899 – Around this time, Sir William
Bennett of
1900 -
Albert J. Hoffa published his book, Technik der Massage, in
1901-1997 – Life of Janet G. Travell, in 95
years of life, she served as the personal physician for Presidents John F.
Kennedy and L.B. Johnson. Other than those years devoted to the president’s of
the United States, she researched, developed and taught what was to become a
field of pain management previously omitted by modern medicine. In concert with
David Simons, she released a two-volume set of what was to become the medical
text and authority on Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction - The Trigger Point
Manual. Her treatments varied from the stretching and spraying with vassal
coolant, localized trigger point injection, to massage and acupuncture. And
while her greatest emphasis was dedicated to cryo, pharmaceutical, and home
care relief; her acknowledgment of soft tissue and structural manipulation not
only gave purpose to these age-old remedies, but also served to reintegrate
manual technique back into mainstream medicine.
1902 – Douglas Graham, a strong advocate of
massage, published A Treatise on Massage, Its History, Mode of Application
and Effects.
1905 – Sir William Osler moved to
1911-1915 – It was during this time that Mary
McMillan was associated with Sir Robert Jones (a leading orthopedic surgeon in
1912-1935 – During this time, James B. Mennell,
served as a medical officer and lecturer of massage at the
1913 – Elizabeth Gould translated Max
Bohm’s Massage, Its Principles and Techniques, which includes some
interpretations of Hoffa’s techniques.
1917 - James B. Mennell, a medical officer
and lecturer of massage, wrote his text, Physical Treatment by Movement,
Manipulation and Massage.
1918 – The Society of Trained Masseuses had
nearly 5,000 members.
1920 –
Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics is founded through merger
of Society of Trained Masseuses and
1921-1925 – During this time, Mary McMillan was
director of physiotherapy (courses for graduates) at
1926 - John S. Coulter became the first
full-time academic physician in physical medicine at the
1929 – Elisabeth Dicke developed an
approach to massage that emphasizes the use of specific reflex zones, a system
known as Bindegewebs massage.
1936-1951 – During this time, Bartlett J. Palmer
maintained the Palmer Research Clinic in
1937 – Beginning at this time, Gertrude
Beard contributed to the study of massage through her teaching at
1939 – The membership of the Chartered
Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics is approximately 12,000.
1944 – Harold D. Storms published an
article describing a massage stroke he used for both diagnostic and therapeutic
measures, particularly for fibrocystic nodules.
1947 – The field of physical medicine and
rehabilitation, known as physiatry, is established as a separate medical
specialty.
1958 – During the “Great Leap Forward,” the
combining of Chinese and Western medicine resulted.
Mid 1970’s –
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) petitioned the U.S. Department of
Education for recognition as the accrediting agency for chiropractic education.
Late
1970’s - It was in
the late 1970’s that increased recognition of chiropractic in both
1977 – John Mennell was instrumental in
opening the membership in the North American Academy of Manipulative Medicine
(NAAMM) to osteopathic physicians.
1983 – A 6-day workshop was held in
1985 – The death of James Cyriax, who is
well known for his textbooks in the field of joint manipulation and also
fostered the expanded education and scope of physical therapists. He
incorporated manual medicine procedures in the practice of “orthopedic
medicine” and founded the Society for Orthopedic Medicine and openly condemned
the fields of osteopathic and chiropractic.
1986 – In the summer issue of The
Massage Journal, Patricia J. Benjamin notes “Massage Therapy is an emerging
profession in the 1980s.”
1989 - Philip E. Greenman, D.O. released the first edition of Principles of Manual Medicine,
CLICK HERE to watch Dr. Philip E. Greenman discusses somatic dysfunction.
1992 –
American Massage Therapy Association is successful in the establishment of the
National Certification Examination for therapeutic massage and bodywork. Also
at this time, the NAAMM merged with The American Association of Orthopedic
Medicine. The fifth edition of Spinal Manipulation was published, with
coauthors being E.A. Day and M.A. Bookout. The Office of Alternative Medicine
(OAM) was formed under the Director of The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
for the purpose of evaluating alternative health treatments. They considered
any treatment not widely taught in American medical schools as alternative medicine.
1995 – There were 17 colleges of
osteopathic medicine in the
1996 – A multidisciplined committee was
formed to establish standards on acute low back pain. The findings of this
group were later adopted by the
CLICK HERE To Watch Philip E. Greeman, D.O. discusses
somatic dysfunction.
1997 – The death of legendary Janet G. Travell.
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Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigge... |
1999 – David Simons released the Second
Edition Volume 1 of Travell and Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction –
The Trigger Point Manual. The 1999 Omnibus legislation established a White
House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy to study
issues regarding research, training and certification of
2003– Dr. Greenman released the Third edition of Principles of manual Medicine.
CLICK ON PLAY BUTTON To Watch Philip E. Greeman, D.O. discusses
somatic dysfunction.
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2010 – Death of David G. Simons