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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

rubdown

English answer:

clarification of the term

Added to glossary by Elizabeth Lyons
Feb 12, 2009 02:39
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term

rubdown

English Medical Medical: Health Care
Context:
Especially the rule pertaining to daily rub-downs, will prove a guarantee for longer life. The physical trainer who was in charge of the physical condition of ex-President Taft conducted a nationwide investigation to learn the secret of long life. He interviewed and extensively questioned every person he could reach who had attained the age of 100 years. He sought the secret of living to be a hundred, if there was any one secret. The result of this research amazed him. Some attributed their long life to the fact they never had smoked, but others had been smokers. Some to the fact they were vegetarians, but others attained 100 while eating meat. Practically every one gave different reasons to which they, themselves, attributed their long life. But the physical trainer was surprised to find that there was only one thing which all in common had practiced, and to which virtually none of them gave any credit -- every single one of them had habitually taken daily rubdowns. The importance of the regular daily rubdown cannot be over emphasized. This does two things of paramount importance. First it invigorates the cells, and second it stimulates blood circulation.

Question: What does “rubdown” really mean here? Does it mean to rub the whole body with a towel wetted with cold water, or just rub it with a dry towel or just hands etc.? :-) I must understand it as completely as possible in order to express it in Chinese correctly and hope peers who are English speakers can help me. Thank you in advance!
Responses
4 +5 clarification of the term
4 +3 a brisk rubbing of the body (as to relax fatigued muscles)
5 -1 massage
Change log

Feb 12, 2009 03:12: Elizabeth Lyons changed "Language pair" from "German to Chinese" to "English"

Feb 26, 2009 05:13: Elizabeth Lyons Created KOG entry

Discussion

Elizabeth Lyons Feb 13, 2009:
My physical-therapy layman's input I do not want to seem self-serving here, as the points are less important to me than helping Jianming, but I did just want to add that, while I certainly agree there might be a more professional term at this time, and that massage is a form of rubdown, here in the US, when someone says rubdown they mean it (in every day language) to be clearly distinct from massage. Massage here is more of a slow and deep relaxation process where rubdown is brisk and invigorating. The problem with thinking about terms too deeply is that we often then get into their etymology and lose their immediate meaning.
juvera Feb 13, 2009:
Dear Gary, I don't doubt your expertise in the subject. But as I mentioned, you cannot neglect the context.

The question was very precise and relevant:
What does “rubdown” really mean here?

The point is, the original text was written by HW Armstrong, and he talked frequently about his X number of points or rules about life and good health. In these always referred to this hobbyhorse of his; the daily rubdown. Moreover, he always explained, what he meant by it, and where this wisdom was coming from.

Now I am suspicious about his findings regarding the centennarians and about their daily rubdown practice, but in his texts we have to accept his explanation about what he meant by the expression.

Besides, if there was a survey done by Taft's physio, and subsequently Armstrong wrote about it, it had to happen not later than in the 1950-s or 60-s. Therefore the people in question were born in the 1850-s or 60-s, when physical treatment did not reach the status and cult of ancient civilisations, - where of course, the massage was not available to everybody, but the young, fit sportsmen and the upper classes, whose slaves obliged. Also, the people of the survey lived through difficult times, particularly the great depression. It is unlikely that they would have been able to afford, or choose to spend their money on daily massage treatment year in, year out, for the best part of their life.
It would be interesting to know, if there ever was a person who was lucky enough in his/her life to be able to receive a daily massage in all circumstances, even if they did not live to be a 100. On the other hand, I am sure that countless people can say that they had a wash-down and rub practically every day during their lifetime.
juvera Feb 12, 2009:
Explanation in the text Further on the text in question explains what the writer means by "rub down".
Ten simple rules that lead to health! by Herbert W. Armstrong
www.zoomnet.net/~bbratt/hwahealt.html

"Bath and rubdown -- Take a regular morning shower bath if possible, making it short and snappy, ending with a vigorous rubdown. If no shower is available, take a tub bath at least two or three times a week. End with cold water, especially in cold weather. This closes the pores and prevents chilling and taking cold.
If no shower is available, take a vigorous rubdown in the bedroom daily or twice daily, using a turkish or bath towel or massage brush. Begin at wrists and feet massaging vigorously toward the heart. If the room is cold, just apply a little more energy -- the vigorous rubbing will keep you warm."

Lesson: read your whole text if possible, it may contain the answer to your initial query.

Responses

+5
36 mins
Selected

clarification of the term

I am not an expert in this area, per se, but to me rubdown typically means a variety of friction-based actions using, variously, hands, towels, loofahs, soft brushes, and the like, with or without liquids such as water, oil, alcohol and other similar agents.
Peer comment(s):
agree juvera : Most likely a good wash with a brush, sponge or loofah, followed by vigorous rubbing to dry with a towel. Quick and easy.
8 hrs
This is the way I interpreted it without knowing much about the current developments in this area. Thanks, juvera.
agree Alice Bootman
10 hrs
Thanks, Alice
agree Michael Powers (PhD) : I like your answer and noble attitude - Mike :)
10 hrs
Thank you, Mike : )
agree Lalit Sati
13 hrs
Thanks, Lalit
agree Pham Huu Phuoc
1 day 4 hrs
Thank you, Pham
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+3
37 mins

a brisk rubbing of the body (as to relax fatigued muscles)

Merriam-Webster Dictionary


rubdown
One entry found.
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Main Entry:
rub·down Listen to the pronunciation of rubdown
Pronunciation:
\ˈrəb-ˌdau̇n\
Function:
noun
Date:
1896

: a brisk rubbing of the body (as to relax fatigued muscles)

Mike :)


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Note added at 38 mins (2009-02-12 03:17:32 GMT)
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However that can be done, do it, and you too will be on your way to 100 years.
Peer comment(s):
agree Elizabeth Lyons
10 hrs
Thank you, Elizabeth - Mike :)
agree Lalit Sati
13 hrs
Thank you, Lalit - Mike :)
agree Miriam300
13 days
Thank you, Mirka21 - Mike :)
Something went wrong...
-1
5 hrs

massage

remedial massage ( Wish we could all have one every day)

Most high performance athletes get one every day during their sporting life.

then if they get injured they will get an intensive remedial massage (sports massage)

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Note added at 9 hrs (2009-02-12 12:03:52 GMT)
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juvera....... I was going to say something... But there is nothing I can say..... maybe you should have put some thought in your "PEER" Comment.
[PDF]
Massage For The Growing Child
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
The teenager – rename the routine to suit them e.g.‘the footballer’s post match rub down’ or‘hockey match. r’s post match rub down’ or‘hock. teenager ...
www.rubadubbabymassage.co.uk/pdf-handouts/growingchild.pdf -

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Note added at 9 hrs (2009-02-12 12:04:22 GMT)
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Massage Rubdown Room For Jobs, Salon, Fitness & Spa Jobs around ...
See all Massage Rubdown Room For Jobs, Salon, Fitness & Spa Jobs in Houston including temp ... Items for Sale; Tickets; Personals; Services; Best Match; All Categories ... Post a FREE ad. Advertise Your Job. Beware of Fraud. Stay safe. ...
houston.oodle.com/job/salon/-/job_title_massage_rubdown_room_for/ - 25k -

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Note added at 9 hrs (2009-02-12 12:09:35 GMT)
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Davede Varner-Massage Therapist User Reviews - Charlotte, NC 28203 ...
I will post the rest of my thoughts in a seperate review. it will start of: ... The massages all consisted of an oil rubdown, music, candles, and hot rocks? ...
charlotte.citysearch.com/review/45698724 - 77k

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&chann...

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Note added at 1 day4 mins (2009-02-13 02:43:25 GMT)
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Juvera, So you understand, I am a level II sports coach of 16 years, I am a Qualified sports medic, I am also a qualified sports masseuse, My wife is a Qualified massage therapist.

On Sport days I will do between 60 and 80 rub-downs and Massages. which are the same thing.
And as you are from Hungary, you can see me here in this photo, where I coached the Hungarian Bears against the French in a game of Rugbi(y) I am the one in Green. I also Coached the Hungarian women in Rugbi and an English Rugby team on tour through out Europe. follow the link.
So I don't have to look up Google to know what a rub-down is. I do them every week and during football season a hundred or more a week.

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224744170555&...



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Note added at 1 day8 hrs (2009-02-13 11:31:52 GMT)
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American Civil War 1861-
After a hard day of battling redcoats and founding a new nation, George Washington sure needed a little R-and-R. And where do you think he went? Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, that's where!

Today, the town calls itself the nation's oldest spa. In fact, there's even a historical landmark next to one of the outdoor tubs, identifying it as the George Washington's bath tub! Imagine, being able to soak in mineral water in the exact same place that our first president did more than 200 years ago!

The town's central square is a West Virginia State Park -- probably the smallest state park in the nation at about 3 square city blocks. Within this park are some of the famous springs, and you can sit and wade in the water. There is also a pump where you can fill bottles for free, if you decide to take a little liquid souvenir home. The park has a large public swimming pool and some pleasant paths and green areas to just sit and relax.

The real gem of the park though is the spa building where you can get a steam bath and massage. They've got huge tubs of hot mineral water that you can soak in, and massage therapists who will give you a half-hour rub-down for about $30.

http://www0.epinions.com/review/trvl-Dest-United_States-West...


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Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2009-02-13 11:39:29 GMT)
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massage
As a noun, 1876, borrowed from French (which had borrowed it from Arabic or Hindi) along with masseur and masseuse. As a verb, 1887. (Massage is related to Messiah, from a Semitic root which meant to rub; "Messiah" literally means "Anointed"

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Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2009-02-13 11:47:42 GMT)
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http://www.answers.com/topic/rubdown
n.

An energetic massage of the body.


http://dictionary.infoplease.com/rubdown
rub•down


Pronunciation: (rub'doun"), [key]
—n.
a massage, esp. after exercise or a steam bath.
Peer comment(s):
disagree juvera : "they all practiced... DAILY rub downs".Remedial massage is not free.These were ordinary people, not sportsmen (who also stop receiving such treatment after a while).These people were born 1850-60, lived through the great depression.Context is important!
3 hrs
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