The Massage Approach of Avicenna in the Canon of Medicine

Murat Çetkin,Mustafa Orhan,İlhan Bahşi

doi:10.31952/amha.17.1.6

Murat Çetkin, Mustafa Orhan + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.17.1.6

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Abstract

Massage is the manipulation of the body tissues by using techniques, such as rubbing, kneading, pressing, and rolling to sustain a state of health and wellness. Massage is one of the oldest and most natural healing applications in human history. Avicenna (980 - 1037) gained a very important position in the medical world with his most important work, the Canon of Medicine, known as the holy book of medicine in the Western world. Different types of massage were defined in the book. These were hard friction that braces the body, soft friction that relaxes the body, repeated friction that reduces the amount of fat in the body, moderately hard friction that improves the body, rough friction that leads the blood to the surface rapidly, gentle friction that increases blood flow in the application area, preparatory friction that prepares the body before exercise, and restorative friction that is applied after exercise which alleviates exhaustion. It may be seen that Avicenna, whose work shows influnce of Greek and Roman physicians, was heavily influenced by Hippocrates and Galen. It is seen that the massage techniques and effect mechanisms defined by Avicenna about a thousand years ago have contributed a lot to the developments in massage through the historical process.

Highlights

Massage is the manipulation of the body tissues by using techniques, such as rubbing, kneading, pressing, and rolling to sustain a state of health and wellness
These were hard friction that braces the body, soft friction that relaxes the body, repeated friction that reduces the amount of fat in the body, moderately hard friction that improves the body, rough friction that leads the blood to the surface rapidly, gentle friction that increases blood flow in the application area, preparatory friction that prepares the body before exercise, and restorative friction that is applied after exercise which alleviates exhaustion
It may be seen that Avicenna, whose work shows influence of Greek and Roman physicians, was heavily influenced by Hippocrates and Galen

Summary

Massage is the manipulation of the body tissues by using techniques, such as rubbing, kneading, pressing, and rolling to sustain a state of health and wellness. He stated that stroking should be hard, moderate, or mild based on the state of the tissue and the desired effect He reported the need to rub the shoulder area after fixing a dislocation.[11] The Romans learned the therapeutic effects of massage from the Greeks and used it to get rid of tenseness and pain in muscles.[12,13] Celsus (42 BCE – 37 AD) stated that rubbing the head area alleviates headaches and rubbing extremities strengthens the muscles and improves their function in paralysis.[14] Galen (129 – 210 AD) included application of massage in addition to exercise and walking among factors that affect well-being and illness states.[15] According to Galen, it leads to removal of the excess materials (agents) in the body.[16] Written works in Europe regarding massage and scientific developments were revitalized after the Middle Ages with the Renaissance (1450 – 1600 AD). With Mezger’s effort, massage has gained popularity as scientific medical treatment and a significant place in physiotherapy and rehabilitation.[20,21,22]

Massage in the Canon of medicine

Types of massage

Conclusion