Massage therapy has an extensive history among cultures around the world, with its first references appearing in writings from ancient civilizations like China, India and Egypt. In Greece, Hippocrates once even defined medicine as “the art of rubbing.” And considering your skin is the largest organ on your body, it’s no wonder why it’s so beneficial.
It wasn’t until the mid-19th century when two American physicians introduced massage to the United States after studying it in Sweden. Although scientific and technological medical advances during the 1930s and 1940s took center stage, massage became popular again in the 1970s and continues to be of use today for a number of health-related purposes, including the treatment of pain, stress and depression.
Massage Therapist vs. Physical Therapist: The Differences
Although massage and physical therapists use the same techniques, each is categorized as its own separate profession. In fact, besides the use of massage and educating their patients about exercise, the two occupations hardly have anything in common. That said, here are the key differences between a massage and a physical therapist.