You’ve probably experienced that a hug instead of a handshake, or a kiss on the forehead instead of a smile, can improve one’s mood and foster an overall sense of well-being.
Touch is the basic foundation from which we, as massage therapists, develop our personal style of massage. It has often been said that massage is the study of anatomy in braille.
Touch creates a very individual experience. In massage therapy there are many different types of touch. Here are a few:
- Caring Touch: Also known as touch therapy, gentle movements of the fingers and palms of skilled massage therapists help restore harmony in the bodies of those who are experiencing discomfort. The benefits can be astonishing: premature newborns who received only three 15-minute sessions of touch therapy daily for 5-10 days gained an astounding 47% more weight than premature infants who had only received standard medical treatment. Many child and adult patients who are undergoing treatments for cancer or other diseases also benefit from a caring human touch.
- Energetic Touch: An alternative healing practice in which therapists treat their clients without touching them. The therapists detect the client’s vital energy and work with it to enhance their health. Some examples are Reiki, Acupunture, and Tai Chi.
- Invasive Touch: As with everything in life, touch has boundaries and limits. Each person has a different tolerance to touch and depending on the client’s needs, therapists should adjust their touch in order to ensure they are creating a beneficial effect. Exceeding the pressure limit of what the client can bear is invasive; communication and respect for boundaries is key. As professional, licensed massage therapists, we strive never to have our touch feel invasive to the clients we are trying to help.
Benefits
The benefits of the human touch go far beyond the aspect of massage and the relief of physical discomforts.
Studies conducted on infants and toddlers have concluded that children who lack a significant amount of human touch grow up to be more aggressive and violent than those nurtured by a loving parent who provides regular caring human contact, such as hugs and kisses. Read more here to further understand the importance of the human touch and the impact it has in our lives.
At Healing Hands, our team of massage therapists were selected not only for their skilled touch but also for their compassion and professionalism. Why not treat your body to some caring touch and book your massage today?
Fun Fact: The ancient Chinese are credited as the first civilization to incorporate the benefits of the human touch into the realm of medicine and healing.