Massage is not a modern invention. It has accompanied humankind for thousands of years as a way of healing, prevention and relaxation — from ancient Egyptian temples through Indian Ayurveda to today's wellness spas. Let's look at where massage comes from and how ancient rituals became the techniques we know today.
In short: the oldest evidence of massage comes from ancient Egypt, China and India. Thai massage arose from the meeting of the Indian and Chinese traditions and was shaped over centuries in Buddhist temples.
The origins of massage in ancient cultures
Massage appears independently in many ancient civilisations:
- Egypt — massage was part of everyday life and of rituals; wall paintings of hand and foot massage have even survived.
- China — as part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure developed, stimulating pressure points for pain relief and energetic balance.
- India — massage plays a key role in Ayurveda, one of the oldest medical systems; it served for detoxification, better circulation and harmony of body and mind.
- Greece and Rome — massage was part of athletic preparation and bathhouse culture; masseurs accompanied Olympic athletes.
From ritual to clinical method
In the Middle Ages, massage was rather on the margins in Europe, yet it survived in folk healing. With the rise of modern medicine, some techniques began to be studied systematically and found their place in rehabilitation. In the 20th century, massage also established itself as a tool for relaxation and prevention — and the growth of wellness and spa culture brought techniques that combine tradition with modern approaches.
Where Thai massage came from
Thai massage arose from the meeting of the Indian Ayurvedic tradition and Chinese medicine and was passed down for centuries in Buddhist temples — the best-known centre of teaching became the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. In 2019 it was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. You can read more in our article What is Thai massage.
Modern massage today
Today massage encompasses a wide range of methods — from relaxing to deep. Among the most popular are:
- Thai massages — stretching, acupressure and energy work;
- hot stone massages — heat for deep muscle release;
- sports massages — deep techniques for chronic tension;
- aromatherapy massages — a blend of touch and scent.
You will find an overview in our article Types of massage.
Experience history in a modern form
Authentic Thai techniques from therapists trained in Asia — in the heart of Prague.
