Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing and references to it have been found in many ancient civilizations including Rome, Greece, Japan, China, Egypt, Mesopotamia and India. In the 4th century B.C. Hippocrates said of massage “The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing”. In modern times there are literally dozens of different massage techniques and practices, all of which use physical touch and manipulation to bring about bring about therapeutic benefit ranging from improved sleep patterns, relaxation and stress management to assisting recovery from injury and relief of chronic pain.