Massage evolved from instinct to science over 4,000 years. Chinese medical text, detailing massage techniques, can be traced back to 1800 BC. The actual term, massage, comes from the Arabic root massa. It means to touch, knead, or squeeze. By the time the Greeks showed up on the massage table, Hippocrates, author of the Hippocratic Oath, was instructing physicians on the practice of this healing ritual.

Today over seventy massage modalities are routinely practiced, from Indian Head to full body Integrative Massage. The father of modern massage, Pehr Heinrick Ling, considered these five techniques the foundation for massage therapies:

Effleurage – gliding or stroking

Friction – rubbing or pressing

Petrissage – squeezing or kneading

Tapotement – striking, beating or percussion

Vibration – oscillations on the skin

There is substantial scientific evidence supporting the practice of massage. While many of us appreciate the relief it offers our aches and pains, massage is proven beneficial for people with depression and anxiety; tension headaches; autoimmune disorders; arthritis; sciatica; cancer; lymphatic drainage issues, and numerous other concerns. It’s the only therapy specialising in the treatment of soft tissue (muscles and connective tissues) Damage to soft tissue is often the cause of chronic pain.

There are an estimated 50,000 complementary therapists in the UK. Fortunately, you only need to know one. Rosie Radford.

Rosie practices personally designed Integrative Massage to relax, rejuvenate and restore you – from the inside out.

Come for the massage, leave with 'The Book'. Rosie is the author of 'Stage Fright', a trio of tingling tales for all ages. She is currently working on a poetry collection.