Massage as a curative and preventive tool is as old as mankind.

Massage was applied by both primitive peoples and ancient healers, massage was present in both folk and modern medicine. Today, with the progress of science, it not only does not get old, but on the contrary - it is increasingly developed and built on the basis of old healing traditions and at the same time is enriched by the scientific achievements of neurophysiology.

The explanation of its impact leaves primitivism, new mechanisms of explanation are presented, both from the point of view of neurism and in the light of bioenergetics. Massage is a therapy that does not have the side effects of pharmacotherapy – it does not intoxicate, does not lead to habituation and dependence, etc. It should not be taken as alternative medicine, but as part of physical medicine. Massage is developed as a well-argued reflexotherapy with a clear pathogenic mechanism.

Many apocryphal massage books appeared on the book market, some surrounded by the aura of mysticism, others with primitivism or sensationalism. The publication of this textbook is aligned with the teaching program in medical colleges and universities and fills a gap that has appeared since the last edition 16 years ago of the Manual of Massage Therapy and the Manual of Reflexology Massage Therapy. The textbook includes material from these manuals, thoroughly revised, updated and supplemented. Some brand new chapters are given in this textbook like “Manual lymphatic drainage.

Here, for the first time in our country, a highly effective manual method - "Postisometric relaxation" is presented. As part of manual therapy and in particular the section of soft tissue techniques, it is hoped that it will effectively complement the massage. The textbook is published as a systematic aid for the training of rehabilitators for the bachelor's degree, as well as for doctors specializing in physical medicine. It can serve everyone who has an interest in massage from both a practical and a theoretical point of view. Associate Professor Dr. Todor Kraev, MD