The word massage came from the Ancient greek word "massin”  which means “to knead” and the Arabic word "mass”  or the Hebrew "mashesh” (to press). The first documented practice of massage is from China in 3000 BC. Its first form was called Anma which is similar to Tui Na, a traditional Chinese manipulative therapy. The practice of Anma spread throughout the world with different cultures adopting it. 

Thai massage came from the ancient healing art - Nuad Boran. It combines pressure, rubbing, and stretches with techniques that worked on the energy lines of the body. 

In Japan, “Amma” massage of pressing, rubbing, wringing and stretches was traditionally practiced by blind practitioners. Shiatsu combines this with pressure techniques on acupuncture points. 

In the early 1800s, another form of massage was developed - Swedish Massage, which later on became a medical profession in the West.