Modern Times
China: In modern times, massage in China has developed by absorbing western ideas into the traditional framework. It is widely practiced and taught in hospital and medical schools and is an essential part of primary healthcare.[13]
United States: Massage started to become popular in the United States in the middle part of the 19th century[7] and was introduced by two New Yorkphysicians based on Per Henrik Ling‘s techniques developed in Sweden.[9]
During the 1930s and 1940s massage’s influence decreased as a result of medical advancements of the time, while in the 1970s massage’s influence grew once again with a notable rise among athletes.[7] Massage was used up until the 1960s and 1970s by nurses to help ease patients’ pain and help them sleep.[14]
Because it is illegal to advertise or offer sexual services in much of the United States, such services are sometimes advertised as “asian massage” or under the terms “masseuse or masseur” hence the rise of the term “massage therapy” in an attempt to provide a distinction between sexual and non-sexual services.
United Kingdom: Massage is popular in the United Kingdom today and gaining in popularity. There are many private practitioners working from their own premises as well as those who operate from commercial venues.
Massage in sports, business and organizations: The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta was the first time that massage was offered as a core medical service.[10] Massage has been employed by businesses and organizations such as the U.S. Department of Justice, Boeing and Reebok.[15] Notable athletes such as Michael Jordan and Lebron James have personal massage therapists that at times even travel with them.