The history of massage therapy can be traced back over 4,000 years, varying in different applications and styles. The word massage comes from the Arabic root “mass'h” which means to touch, knead or squeeze. The origins of massage date back to the history of ancient China, Greece and Rome, and some of the greatest medical historians and physicians of antiquity have recorded their use for therapeutic purposes, including improving circulatory and joint movement. In 1850, two American doctors who had studied in Sweden introduced massage therapy which became popular, encouraged for a variety of health purposes. During the 1930s and 1940s, with scientific and technological advances in medical care, the United States lost interest, only to revive the use of massage therapy in the 1970s, particularly among athletes. Massage therapy is a style of therapeutic modality used by all individuals who participate in any athletic activity or exercise to improve performance, speed recovery, release tension, stress and prevent injury. It also helps eliminate lactic acid and other waste products while reducing pain and stiffness in muscles and joints. Methods such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and friction involving kneading, squeezing, rolling and other movements are performed on areas of the body that are overworked and strained by repetitive and often aggressive movements. Numerous professional and college athletic programs employ massage therapists, sports massage has been sought after by athletes of diverse backgrounds for many years for several reasons. Massage therapy is used not only to relax the human body, but to increase the overall health of the individual receiving it. According to the 20...... half of the document ....... Numerous incidents have been documented where coaches provide their athletes with painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications that provide temporary pain relief. With muscles still tight and tense; going untreated could lead to more serious injuries occurring in the future, damaging or even ending an athlete's career. The recurring question of the best therapeutic modality will always be on the rise. Various studies will continue to test which specific therapies are most effective, but not all will lead to the same conclusion. Again, massage therapy is often practiced with athletic trainers from little league to professional football. Research and studies are inconclusive in proving it is the best treatment modality. It can be determined by the physiotherapist providing the service and by the athletes' performance before and after treatment.