The spa and wellness industry is booming. Massages have become very popular and have become part of many people’s lives, including the lives of Christians. Many people spend hundreds of dollars on massage therapy for relaxation and to improve the health and wellness of the body and soul. But is massage therapy indeed a wellness for your body and soul or not? Have you ever wondered why you felt tired after a massage or got a headache after a massage or experienced another negative side effect after a massage? What happens in the spiritual realm during a massage? What is the spiritual danger of massage therapy that many Christians are not aware of?
What is massage therapy?
The word massage derives from the Greek word ‘massein’ which means ‘to knead’ and the Arabic word ‘mass’, which means ‘to press gently’. Massage therapy is considered a holistic healing method.
In ancient times massage therapy was considered a sacred system of ritual practices, which were used for healing. It works and acts on the body by rubbing and by using pressure. These pressure techniques are applied by using the hands, fingers, knees, elbows, feet, or other devices.
What is the purpose of massage therapy?
Massage therapy originally derives from eastern beliefs and philosophies. It is believed, that any disruption in the body causes pain and illness. These disruptions are blockade(s) of the life energy (prana, chi, qi) in the energy lines or streams of the body (srotas, meridians). Therefore, the purpose of massage therapy is to dissolve any blockades in the energy stream of a person. By using massage techniques, the blockades will be dissolved, so that, the energy can flow through the whole body, including the organs, without any disruption.
Massage therapy stimulates the energy flow and will become visible in the natural realm by relaxation and the (temporary) relief of physical and/or mental pain.
There are many different reasons, why people visit a massage therapist. A few reasons are relaxation, pain relief, tension, stress, strengthening the immune system, and eliminating diseases, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.
Types of massages
There are many types of massages, but the main types are: classical massage (Swedish massage), sports massage, aromatherapy massage, trigger point massage, deep tissue massage, connective tissue massage, prenatal massage, head massage, anti-stress massage, lomilomi massage, reflexology massage (feet massage), hot stone massage, shiatsu (Japanese massage), Thai massage, Ayurvedic massage, Pijit (Indonesian massage), Urut (Javaanse massage), Kundalini yoga massage, erotic or sensual massage, etc.
The origin and history of massage
India and Indian massage techniques
According to the Sanskrit records, massages have been practiced in India long before the beginning of recorded history. Ayurveda is the traditional Indian medicine system (Hindu healing system) and originates from 5000 BC. Ayurveda means life knowledge.
The main classical Ayurveda text starts with the account of the transmission of medical knowledge from the gods to sages. The sages taught the human physicians (rishi) the knowledge, which they derived from the gods through meditation.
In the Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta wrote that the Hindu god of Ayurveda; Dhanvantari, incarnated himself as king of Varanasi and taught medicine to a group of physicians.
The ancient Ayurveda text also contains surgical techniques, including rhinoplasty, kidney stone attractions, sutures, and the extraction of foreign objects.
The fundamental aspect of Ayurveda is that Ayurvedic physicians regard physical existence, mental existence, and personality as a unit, with each element being able to influence others.
Another part of Ayurvedic treatment is that there are channels, also called srotas, which transport fluids. Some of these channels are visible and some are invisible. By using massage treatment, using oils, and fomentation (Swedana) the channels can be opened up. Unhealthy channels are considered the cause of diseases. Ayurveda focuses on exercise, yoga, and meditation.
There are three principal early texts on Ayurveda: Charaka Samhita, the Sushruta Samhita, and the Bhela Samhita. In the Charaka Saṃhitā Ayurvedic massage therapy (Abhyangam) has been defined. Through studies, experiments, and meditation, massage therapy has been further developed.
Egypt and Egyptian massage techniques
In the tomb of Akmanthor (2330 BC) is the oldest documented proof of massage. There are pictures of two men having work done on their hands and feet. It is considered that reflexology, originates from Egypt. Reflexology applies pressure on a specific point on the hands and feet, that correspond with parts of the body and organs so that any blockage of the energy field will be dissolved and the life energy (qi) can flow to the parts of the body and the organs again.
The Egyptian physicians derived their medical knowledge through the inspiration of gods. Their medical knowledge was spread to other countries by traveling. While they traveled the Egyptian physicians also retrieved healing techniques from other countries.
China and Chinese massage techniques
During 721-481 BC the Huangdi Neijing (the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) was created. It is a compilation of medical knowledge from the time of the yellow emperor (2700 BC) and is the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In the Huangdi NeijJing, different massage techniques are specified to treat all kinds of ailments and injuries. Bian Que (700 BC) was the earliest Chinese physician, who used massage therapy in medical practice.
Chinese healing derives from the Chinese belief system; the Chinese philosophy. All the aspects of Chinese Medicine derive from meditation, channeling spirits, and spiritual guides.
Massage was used by those, who practiced martial arts, Buddhism, and Taoists, and those, who offered massage for relaxation.
Thailand and Thai massage
Jīvaka Komarabhācca, who lived 500 BC, was a Thai physician and was, according to the Pāli Buddhist Canon, Buddha’s physician. He was the founder of Traditional Thai massage and Thai medicine. He classified a healing system that combines acupressure, reflexology, and yoga postures. Thai massage is based on the Indian and Chinese traditions of medicine.
Japan and Japanese massage techniques
Japanese monks, who went to China took over Chinese traditional medicine and began to apply Chinese massage techniques. Traditional Japanese massage (Anma) became Shiatsu and derives from Chinese traditional medicine. The purpose is to rebalance or raise the energy level in a person. This will strengthen the organs and will stimulate resistance against illnesses.
Ancient Greece and massage techniques
Many Greek philosophers and physicians traveled to Asia and derived knowledge from eastern philosophies, medical knowledge, and practices, including massage techniques. They used massage techniques for athletes in order to maintain their physical bodies in great condition. The Greek physicians used massage techniques with oils and herbs to treat medical conditions.
Hippocrates, who is considered the father of medical science, adopted and applied these massage techniques and considered ‘rubbing’ the most important practice of a physician. Hippocrates promoted a combination of massage, diet, exercise, rest, fresh air, and music to restore the body.
Ancient Rome and massage techniques
During 200-100 BC massage therapy was introduced in Rome through the physician Galen. He used massage techniques to heal injuries and diseases. The physician Galen was also known for introducing natural magnets to treat diseases.
The people in Rome were treated in public baths, where trainers and physicians massaged them. First, they took a bath and then a massage, to stimulate circulation and loosen joints. They also used oils, which benefitted the skin.
Cambodia
In 1150 AD in Cambodia, there was even evidence of abortions, by using massage techniques; application of pressure to the abdomen, in one of the Bas-reliefs, pictured in the temple of Angkor Wat. It depicts a demon performing an abortion upon a woman, who was sent to the underworld.
Europe
During the 17th-19th century AD, European physicians and scientists observed and documented the benefit of massage therapy. Pierre-Martial Cidot, was one of the missionaries, who went to China. He studied their history and observed their medical system. He wrote many books, including the book ‘Notice du Cong-fou des Bozes Tao-see’, which means ‘Cong-fu (kung-fu: which means a work or achievement of man) of Tao Tse (way, path or doctrine of power or virtue)’. This book was a summary of the medical techniques used by Taoist priests.
His book was originally intended to present a system of medical gymnastics to physicians in Europe. This book had a great influence on the development of modern medical science. It was believed, that they used it for the development of Gymnastics, classical massage therapy, and physiotherapy.
The United States
During the 20th century, massage therapy was introduced in the US to treat WWI victims. Besides that, massage therapy was considered a luxury treatment only for wealthy people, since it was very expensive. Nowadays, massage therapy is recognized and considered as part of alternative medicine.
There are many more things to write about the history and development of massage therapy. Maybe there are a few important developments missing, but for now, I will leave it here. With all the information given, we can conclude that the roots of massage therapy originate from the eastern and Egyptian cultures and their belief systems and philosophies (Read also: Can you separate the spiritual from Eastern philosophies and practices?).
How was massage therapy introduced to the western world?
Massage therapy was introduced to the western world by philosophers, physicians, and missionaries, who traveled to the East and studied and adopted Eastern massage techniques and when they returned, they applied the massage techniques in their offices. For example, the Greek philosophers and physicians, who traveled to Asia and adopted the eastern massage techniques and applied them in Greece to treat athletes and patients.
Another example is the missionaries, especially the missionary Pierre-Martial Cidot, who traveled to China, but instead of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ, he became interested in Taoism. Pierre-Martial Cidot studied and adopted the Chinese belief system and philosophy. He wrote the book ‘Notice du Cong-fou des Bonzes Tao-see’; ‘Cong-Fou of the Tao-Tse’. This book was a summary of medical techniques used by Taoist priests, which Pierre-Martial Cidot introduced to the western world.
The spiritual danger of massage
Massage therapy has its origin in eastern religions and philosophies. The massage techniques have been given to sages, priests, monks, and other religious men through meditation, by inspiration of spirits (spirit guides, gods, channeling spirits, demons, etc).
The sages taught the physicians, who applied the techniques to treat people. Therefore, these massage techniques have their origin in the demonic and occult spiritual world; the kingdom of darkness, and not in the Kingdom of God.
Massages have nothing to do with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, but it has everything to do with pagan religions and philosophies, rituals, and occult life energy; prana, tao, chi, etc.
What is the danger of massage therapy? The danger of massage therapy is, that everyone, who gets involved with massage therapy, will be influenced by demonic powers.
It doesn’t matter what your reason or (medical) intention is to get a massage.
The spiritual truth of the danger of massage is, that as soon as you submit yourself to the massage therapist and be treated with techniques derived from the kingdom of darkness, you will get involved in the occult.
The massage therapist may be an atheist or a Christian and might not believe in Taoism, Hinduism, etc. But that doesn’t make a difference in the spiritual realm.
It doesn’t matter, because by applying the techniques, which are inspired by demonic forces and have their roots in the occult realm, the massage therapist shows by his/her deeds that (s)he believes in these massage methods and therefore is obedient to the voice of these demons, who have given these instructions by revelation to sages to obtain relaxation, healing and maintain health.
Another danger of massage therapy is, that by the laying on of hands and by rubbing and applying these massage techniques, a spiritual transfer of demonic spirits from the therapist to the patient takes place.
Do Christian massage therapists exist?
Do Christian massage therapists exist? No! Although there are many, who call themselves Christian massage therapists, there is no such thing as Christian massage therapy and therefore there is no such thing as a Christian massage therapist. Do you think God wants you to touch and massage and rub naked bodies?
Massage therapy is part of the healing system of the world and is not part of God’s way of healing. Someone may call himself or herself a Christian and practice massage therapy and because of that call himself or herself a Christian massage therapist, but the reality is, that a Christian massage therapist uses the same occult massage methods and techniques as any other massage therapist.
The massage techniques, which a Christian massage therapist uses, don’t originate from the Bible but from the world; from ancient eastern religions and philosophies.
Therefore they don’t originate from the Kingdom of God, but they originate from the kingdom of darkness.
These massage techniques have been birthed by revelation and channeling with evil spirits and not by a revelation of the Holy Spirit.
The Word says: be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believes with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
You shouldn’t copy the technics, methods, and strategies of the world; the darkness, and apply them to your lives and Christianize them. But you should believe the Word of God and apply the Word of God to your life and remove all things, which are not according to the Word and the will of God.
Everything you need in this life is written in the Bible; the Word of God. The only thing you have to do is: take the Word, yield to the Word, do the Word and walk in the Word (Read also: Can you separate the spiritual from eastern philosophies and eastern practices? and ‘The Christian sauce‘.
Abiding in the Word
God wants to be your Father. He wants you to abide in His Word and not abide in the words and wisdom of this world, which derives from the inspiration of the devil and demonic powers. That’s why God commanded His sons and daughters to separate themselves from the world and the works of darkness instead of getting involved in the evil works of darkness.
In the Old Testament, we read about the carnal people of God; Israel, and what happened, every time they departed from the words of God and entered the way of the Gentiles and their gods and listened to the doctrines of evil spirits.
Every time when they departed, they got themselves into trouble and experienced hardships, and were taken captive. That’s why God repeatedly said, that they should not serve any other gods besides Him and that they should separate themselves from the works of the Gentiles and their religions.
What happens in the spiritual realm?
When you visit a massage therapist, you will feel different after the massage. This can be positive or negative. You may feel relaxed and experience some kind of pain relief, but you can also feel sleepy after a massage or tired, nauseous, dizzy, or sick. You may experience headaches, a strange heavy feeling, tiredness, or… These feelings are not caused by someone’s hands massaging your body, but because a transfer of demonic forces has taken place. You have become influenced by the evil forces of darkness and that’s what causes you to feel different.
Due to the fact, that these unclean spirits have entered your life in the spiritual realm, they will manifest themselves in your life and the result will become visible in the natural realm. Because everything that happens in the spiritual realm will eventually become visible in the natural realm.
These unclean spirits from the kingdom of darkness have only one mission and that’s to steal, kill and destroy.
The first thing they will do is to make you lukewarm for the things of the Kingdom of God and keep you away from the Word, prayer, fasting, etc.
Then they will continue their destructive works by causing anxiety, fear, panic attacks, depression, sickness, (deadly) disease, hearing voices in your head or other mental problems and disorders, addictions, marriage problems, unclean sexual thoughts, feelings, etc. All these things are the works of darkness; the works of demons, manifesting themselves in the natural realm in your body and your life.
The occult realm
We live in an age, where the occult has become more and more visible. That’s because the western world has left God and His Word and has embraced the eastern religions and philosophies. Many things, activities, technics, methods, and strategies in our everyday life are inspired by these eastern religions and philosophies.
Yes, even the church has adopted many activities and many methods out of eastern religions and philosophies and applied them to the church (Read also: the occult church).
Because of that, many Christians have become lukewarm toward Jesus Christ and His Kingdom and are focused on themselves. They are not happy and don’t experience peace, but they are worried, stressed, unhappy, depressed, anxious, and experience mental disorders and physical problems, and chaos in their lives. They don’t know, where it comes from, but they do experience it in their lives.
The devil creates chaos
This chaos derives from the devil because that’s what the devil does; the devil creates chaos. Look what happened when the devil and his angels were thrown out of heaven and cast upon the earth. They made one big chaos of the earth. Because when the Spirit of God hovered over the earth, the earth was waste and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
The devil steals, kills, and destroys and that’s exactly what we see happening around us. We see an increase in natural disasters, violence, crimes, killings, wars, and chaos in the world and in people’s lives.
The world tells you to accept and embrace all kinds of religions and philosophies and respect each other’s views on life. But we are dealing with eternity.
A whole lot of people even believers think they have found the way and are saved, by walking in love and accepting all kinds of unclean things and behavior of man, including sin, and by doing charity works.
But the truth is, that many of them aren’t saved at all and are on their way to hell. Many believers are seduced and trapped in the lies of the devil (Reas also: The message that nobody wants to hear).
The devil wants to deceive people and get as many people in his kingdom as possible. Because his ultimate goal is eternal destruction.
He will try to deceive people, by using a little bit of the truth of God and mixing it with his lies. The devil’s lies are believed by his sons and daughters.
But the sons and daughters of God, who are born again, belong to God and hear His voice and will never believe the lies of the devil and will not listen and act upon them. No, they are spiritual and shall discern the lies of the devil from the truth of God and shall expose his lies.
The way of salvation and eternal life
There is only one Way and one Truth and that’s Jesus Christ! There is no other way to God, than through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only One, Who can save a person from eternal death and provide peace, joy, rest, healing, and eternal life. Because Jesus paid the price for every sinner at the cross.
People, who are not born again, can say and promise all kinds of things, but their religion and philosophies are not inspired by the Holy Spirit, but by demonic spirits. That’s quite a difference! Therefore their doctrines and philosophies are based upon lies and not the truth.
When you are a Christian and have been involved in massage therapy and you experience that you have become lukewarm for the things of God and indifferent towards sin, and experience anxiety, panic attacks, depression, fears, voices in your head telling you what to do, other mental disorders, uncontrollable anger, insomnia, sickness, and disease, etc. you could be influenced by the spirits of darkness.
If you want to be set free, then all you have to do is repent and turn to Jesus Christ. He is faithful and He will forgive you and deliver you from all oppressions of the devil. But you must repent out of a sorrowful and repenting heart, that longs for Jesus and remove the works of darkness out of your life.
Therefore repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
Source: Wikipedia
