Massage, as Used by tlu Greeks and Romans
Massage was emplpyed in one form or other by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The senators, the aristocrats, the wealthy and in fact all classes even down to the enfeebled old slaves, received massage for different purposes; for gen¬eral hygiene or health improvement; for hastening slow convalescence; as an adjunct to their luxurious bathing; to maintain suppleness and strength of muscles and joints preparatory to contests of strength; in order to render strains and tissue rupture less likely and to restore strength for the continuation of their labors. The Romans often usedjmassage as a substitute for more strenuous exercise and to remove the effects of overfeeding and excessive drinking.