Massage therapy has been practiced throughout the ages and throughout the development of all of the world's major schools of medicine. The ancient Greek medical philosopher Hippocrates wrote that rubbing of the body was absolutely central to his system of healing and of preserving the body. The same is true for the legendary Chinese emperor known only as "The Yellow Emporer," who is credited with the invention of what has today become known as Traditional Chinese medicine.

The current wave of massage therapy as it is understood in the United States originated in Sweden in the 1800s. There a man named Per Henrik Ling developed a set of techniques that would catch the eye of some prominent physicians in New York. Interestingly, Ling's massage therapy innovations were inspired by a deep friendship and years-long partnership with a friend from China who schooled him in the philosophies of Chinese medicine and martial arts.

Ling became extremely impressed by the benefits of therapeutic massage and what he called "medical gymnastics," and gradually developed what has become known as the system of Swedish Massage. Ling was so impressed with the results that he saw from this new style of massage that he made extravagant claims for it which turned off many in the medical establishment of that time. However, he did manage to make some very meaningful connections with prominent physicians in New York who began to use a promulgate his Swedish Massage techniques in the States.

Over time, the "medical gymnastics" of Ling's system were reduced and the rubbing and pressuring aspects were emphasized, which in many ways is in line with the direct development of massage therapy within Asia. Since that time the massage traditions have begun to merge, such that Asian massage styles and its focus on energetic medicine have become more widely accepted throughout the Western world and are both offered and sought out much more than at any previous point in Western history.

However, traditional Western doctors and researchers still have their doubts about some of the more "energetic" aspects of therapeutic massage, due to the difficulty in operationalizing and testing this type of treatment under controlled conditions. However, what is not in doubt is that massage therapy as it is practiced today is an effective treatment for many of the ailments caused by chronic stress and muscle tension.

There are more practitioners of massage therapy in the US and UK than ever before, and it is increasingly being utilized in sports and within corporate and organizational cultures as a performance-enhancing treatment esteemed for improving the mental focus and vitality of its recipients.