Turned wooden massage ball encased in turned wooden socket, Japanese, 1801-1900
Massage has become a popular treatment worldwide. It is thought to relax both mind and body. It is also used within physiotherapy to rejuvenate muscles after injury or exercise. This solid massage ball sits snugly in a turned wooded cup. It was used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for massaging the skin. TCM is also practised in Japan. In TCM, qi is the energy or life force that flows through meridians, or channels, in the body. Disease and illness occur when qi becomes blocked. Acupuncture or massage is thought to unblock the meridians.
Details
- Category:
- Asian Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A657781
- Materials:
- complete and box (wood)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 82 mm 96 mm, .27 kg
- type:
- massager
- credit:
- Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)