Roman Art of Massage and therapeutic bathing
The Romans acquired the art of therapeutic bathing and massage from the Greeks. The Romans thought that anything the Greeks could do the Romans could perfect the concept. The Romans built public baths that were available to the Rich and the Poor alike. A brisk rubdown with essential oils could follow a bath. Massage was a well respected treatment for week and diseased condition. Massage was well known for removing stiffness and soreness from muscles.
Celsus who live during the reign of Tiberius, was considered one of the most eminent of Roman Physicians. He wrote many works which covered the art of medicine, dealing specifically with the prevention and therapeutic use of massage, exercising and bathing. He recommended rubbing the head to relieve headaches, rubbing the the limbs to strengthen muscles and combat paralysis. Massage was used to improve sluggish circulation and improve edema. Although the bodies circulation was not completely understood at the time, they could however, notice the benefits and affects that the massage gave when rubbing upward and not downward.
Galen, physician to the gladiators wrote prolific studies of the anatomy, exercise, and hygeine he included the art of massage to aid the healing for various physcical disorders. Julius Carsar was once said to demand his daily massage to relieve neuralgia and prevent epileptic attacks.
