Although it has 100 years since the massage techniques developed by John Harvey Kellogg, an American, were introduced to Japan, not much of them are known today. This paper clarifies the characteristics of his theory and techniques as a method of physical therapy so they can be applied to clinical practices.
Our study mainly consists of the review of J. H. Kellogg's “The Art of Massage” (4^thed. 1923). These massage techniques, a combination of massage techniques developed in Europe and osteopathy, an original idea developed in the United States, were systematized through his clinical experience at sanitariums over a period of 50 years or more.
Always based on strict physiological principles, Kellogg cited three types of comprehensive effects: direct “Mechanical”, indirect “Reflex”, and general “Metabolic” effects. He advocates that external manipulations are effective for building strength in the whole body and activating living power because they not only influence deep tissues of the body by improving general circulation and reactions of the nervous system but also on the metabolic renewal processes of the various parts of the body. He emphasizes these phenomena as the sources of large therapeutic effects.
Kellogg's massage techniques consist of seven types of basic manipulations (touch, stroking, friction, kneading, vibration, percussion, and joint movements), each of which is divided into several sub-types of manipulations, which are unique to Kellogg, according to his theory.
To improve the usefulness of current medical massage therapy, it is essential to review these unique techniques and apply them to clinical practices.