Touch Touch is a way to share or express feelings that may be more powerful than the spoken word Touch is one of the most powerful and sensitive of all senses. Kind and appropriate touching sends a message to our very spirit and heart that we are valued, that we are safe, that we matter... That we exist. ______
Aside from being your gateway to touch and a great place to hang your clothes, your skin is also your largest organ. In a grown man, it covers about 19 square feet and weighs about 8 pounds. A piece of skin the size of a quarter contains more than 3 million cells, 100 to 340 sweat glands, 50 nerve endings and 3 feet of blood vessels. No one is exempt from needing to be touched. Humans need to touch and be touched, just like we need food and water. The connection between touch and well being is far more than skin deep. From the moment of birth our tactile sense is being stimulated. Pushed out, picked up, and slapped on the bottom, we are placed at our mother's breast, and a bonding process begins. The need for bonding, or close physical contact with another human being, remains with us throughout our lifetime. It generally feels good to have another human being's skin come into contact with our own. Some of us repress our craving for warmth and affection, while others go to extremes to obtain it. Much of how we function as adults, depends on how we were nurtured during infancy. We have all experienced moments moments when the touch of a hand on our shoulder or a reassuring hug was all that was needed to reduce our fear, anxiety, or loneliness. Touching is an act of love, a way of communicating without words. Touching can reassure us, relax us, comfort us, or arouse us, like nothing else. In a way, the importance of touch is so basic that we tend to take it for granted, just as we do breathing. As children, we were curious to touch everything we saw saw.. But frequently as our hands reached out to explore, an adult voice could be heard to say, "don't touch," followed by an assortment of reasons implying that touching could be dangerous, rude, disrespectful, shameful, unsanitary, and even sinful. Many of us have been taught, either openly or by example, that touching is something to be suspicious of and avoided. This kind of ingrained thinking is often responsible for the sexual dysfunction we experience as adults. These constraints are difficult to shed, further inhibiting us from natural physical contact with others. Often we regard touch as an amorphous, nonspecific kind of thing. But it isn't. You can be made to roll over with laughter with touch or you can be put to sleep with
touch. All too often accidental touching, especially in public embarrasses us. Even an innocent handshake, if too prolonged, can be misconstrued as an invitation to a sexual encounter. Because touching has an excess of negative associations, with very little provocation it seems we flee from intimacy. In terms of sexual arousal, whatever you might see won't compare to ten seconds of the right touch. And And as for pain, no matter how much you think a shrill sound or shocking image could make you grimace--forget it. There's nothing that hurts more than one stiff punch. Women are generally freer about hugging each other and holding hands. But if a woman is naturally tactile with men, her behavior can be easily misunderstood. Traditionally, a woman is taught to control any display of affection that could be interpreted as sexual; except with her partner. -Research Serious research on the importance of touch began only about 40 years ago. But, since that time, scientists have shown that the amount of body contact in our lives plays a vital role in our mental and physical development as infants and in our happiness and vigor as adults. Touch influences our ability to deal with stress and pain, to form close relationships with other people, and even to fight off disease. Birds do it. Bees do it. Even apes in trees do it…touches, that is. Especially the apes in trees. In fact, in addition to live births, giving milk and having hair on their bodies, the need for touch is the one thing that all mammals--humans mammals--humans included-seem to share. Mammalian systems are designed so that the infant care-giving process involves an enormous amount of contact. Among our closest relatives, the primates, contact between mother mother and baby is constant. For all mammals, touch is clearly important developmentally. Touch loses some of its importance, as mammals grow older. But it still quite obviously remains important, and not only to humans. Consider the other mammals that we humans come in contact with most often. Dog owners know that Fido revels in having his neck or chin scratched. How many cat owners have never had an arching, purring feline rub against their legs? And dairy farmers will tell you that all cows love to be milked. Even the largest of all mammals seem to enjoy touch. Despite every good reason to fear humans, whales such as the humpback (up to 62 feet long and up to 53 tons) have been known to pop their prodigious heads out of the sea and allow themselve themselves s to be petted and scratched, sometimes sometimes for hours. Effects Various studies have shown that when someone else gently holds a person's wrist, heartbeat slows and blood pressure declines. Children and adolescents, hospitalized for psychiatric problems, show remarkable reductions in anxiety levels and positive changes in attitude when they receive a brief daily back rub. The arteries of rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet and petted regularly had 60% fewer blockages than did the arteries of un-petted but similarly fed rabbits. Rats, handled
for 15 minutes a day during the first three weeks of their lives, showed dramatically less brain cell deterioration and memory loss as they grew old, compared with nonhandled rats. Despite all these reasons to really reach out and touch someone, Americans find it difficult, and we don't do it often. Aside Aside from a brisk handshake or an occasional embrace at the airport gate, touching just isn't a big part of our culture.
Touch-starved Culture One study in the 1960s showed a stark contrast between cultures by noting the number of touches exchanged by pairs of people sitting in coffee shops around the world: In San Juan, Puerto Rico, people touched 180 times an hour; in Paris, France, 110 times an hour; in Gainesville, Florida, 2 times per hour; and in London, England, they never touched. A society's touch habits reflect the way people relate on other levels. Americans tend to be a touch cooler than, say, the cheek-kissing Italians or Spaniards. Our physical distancing partially reflects our psychological ps ychological need for autonomy and independence. Part of the blame for our society's taboo on touch, lies with the chin-scratching father of modern-day psychology, Sigmund Freud. Freud encouraged austerity in dealing with children. And parents, in an effort to be good parents, bought into that behavior. People, who aren't cuddled a lot as kids, tend to develop into nontouching adults. The cycle then repeats itself, generation after generation. But, Americans, particularly as they become more aware a ware of the potential benefits of touch, are starting to do something about it. This change is especially tangible in the healing arts ______ Born To Be Touched The need for touch, as important as it is throughout our lives, is never more crucial than immediately following and shortly after exit from the womb. Because vision and hearing take time to fully develop, touch becomes possibly the most critical of all the senses to the newborn. There's no question that babies deprived of motherly affection don't fare too well--emotionally or physically. Years of experience with infants raised in public institutions have shown this to be true. Earlier in the century century,, infants, forced to live in such sterile environments, often wasted away and died. Back then, no one could provide any good explanations. Today, scientists offer fresh insight. Their studies on both human and animal babies have shown that the brain--by releasing or withholding certain chemicals--regulates the physical and emotional development development of the infant. And And the brain's actions, in turn, are controlled by touch. In studies with premature infants, half of the tiny babies, selected at random, were gently stroked for 45 minutes a day. The other half was not. Although
all were fed the same amount of calories, after ten days, the touched babies weighed-in 47% heavier than the unstimulate unstimulated d group. Not only were those babies bigger,, they were happier as well. The stroked kids were more active, more alert bigger and more responsive to social stimulation. In the adolescent years, the parents and child begin to withdraw from one another; the teenager, out of a sense of self-consciousness with her new feelings and physical changes, and the parents, out of book-learned attitudes and discomfort with their developing offspring. Hugging, kissing, and physical c loseness may diminish or stop completely then, leaving the young adult starved for affectio affection. n. This hunger is often satiated through indiscriminate sex with peers; a way of continuing touching where parents left off. The need for touching does not exclude the elderly. While the skin of an older person may be aesthetically less appealing because of wrinkles, spotting, and dryness, the human being inside the skin craves touching more than ever. Hormonal Link In the rat world, the equivalent of maternal stroking, hugging hugging and tickling is licking. But because it's difficult to teach a mother rat to lick or not lick on command, it was found that a wet paintbrush makes a fairly good tongue substitute. As the animals were made to believe that their mothers' affections affections were being turned on and off, it soon became clear that something else was being turned on and off at the same time: the brain's release of beta-endorphins beta-endorphins,, a chemical that appears to affect many aspects of growth and development. When an infant rat senses that its mother is absent, it reacts the way you might if you were stuck at sea in a small lifeboat. First it cries, and then it immediately quiets down. In a lifeboat, you'd probably do everything to conserve your food and water. And the helpless baby whose mom has disappeared shifts all its energy to support its life functions--neglecting those cellular functions that can make it grow up big and strong. The same kinds of physical reactions are going on in human infants deprived of touch. There was a period of about 30 years where the advice was to keep the baby away from the mother for the first week. But in the last few years, there has been a complete turn-around in pediatric practice. Now major efforts are being made to keep babies with their mothers right from the beginning. There are health benefits from snuggling and stroking pet animals, even inanimate objects--teddy bears, for instance. Look at primitive cultures--they're all very touchoriented. If you want to go back further and look at the higher primates (the closest biological relatives to humans), in every single species, contact plays a v ery powerful role. In modern times, health care has strayed far from those primal roots. For while it might seem logical to incorporate touch as part of the healing process, medical historians generally agree that one of the first pieces of technology that set into
motion the depersonalizing process process in medicine appeared in 1819, with a piece of hardware called the stethoscope. This was the introduction of the technique of auscultation, the science of making diagnoses by listening to internal sounds of the human body. It gave the doctor a whole new way of collecting information about the patient's heart, lungs, and abdomen. It eliminated the old practice of pressing one's ear to the patient's chest. The stethoscope replaced this gesture with something more informative, but less intimate. It eliminated the soothing effect of human touch. More patients are turning to the hands-on skills of chiropractors, massage therapists, and other body workers, for a multitude of problems.
Massage Physical Benefits of Therapeuti Therapeutic c Massage Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy Fosters faster healing of strained s trained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue Reduces muscle spasms Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work Promotes deeper and easier breathing Improves circulation of blood and movemen movementt of lymph fluids Reduces blood pressure Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain Enhances the health and nourishment of skin Improves posture Strengthens the immune system Treats musculoskeletal problems
Rehabilitation post operative Rehabilitation after injury _
Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy Fosters peace of mind Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness Helps relieve mental stress Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity _
Emotional Benefits Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch Fosters a feeling of well-being Reduces levels of anxiety Creates body awareness Increases awareness of mind-body connection _
Types of Massages Massage can be used for more than simply removing tension. Often there are many side benefits to having a massage. The following are a partial list of hands-on therapies that are currently popular. _
Acupressure: Accupressure is an ancient Chinese technique based on the principles of accupuncture, and involves the use of finger pressure (without the needles) on specific points along the body. It is is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy centres in the body. Chinese cultures believe the points to be junctures of meridian pathways that carry energy called chi. The
purpose of Accupressure Accupressure is to stimulate the body’s own recuperative powers by stimulating the various points on the body. The stimulation removes energy blockages by diffusing the toxic build up that accumulates in the muscle tissue. The accumulation of toxins causes stiffness throughout the body. Stiffness in muscles puts abnormal pressure on nerves, and blood and lymph vessels. The pressure on blood and lymph vessels affect both skeletal systems and internal organ functioning. _
Alexander Technique: teaches other ways of moving. This really isn’t a massage but is often listed into the same section of various healing directories. This work teaches one how to sit, stand and walk in a way that works with the bodies muscles. It is often recommended after other types of body work to help keep the changes. It also helps dancers, singers, and athletes to perform their best. _
Chi Nei Tsang: Chi Nei Tsang, a branch of Taoist medicine, was introduced to the West by the Taoist Master Mantak Chia. It is a method for releasing the toxic winds of emotional energy, which can be either the cause or effect of sickness. Energy blockages arising from organ obstructions and congestion in the abdomen can result in knots and tangles at the centre of the body’s vital functions, impeding the flow of Qi, the life-force or bioelectromagnetic bioelectromagnetic field described by Deepak Chopra as energy-intelligence. Emotions such as fear, anger, anxiety, depression and worry are related to different organs. When the Qi of an internal organ is in a state of imbalance, it emanates toxic wind. Diagnosing the energetic condition, the Chi Nei Tsang practitioner uses intention and touch to influence the participant’s Qi and “chase the winds.” Wind is an energetic vibration which, whether toxic or the vital source of life, enters the being through the “mountains”, which include the pointed bones of the t he nose, coccyx, fingers, toes, knees and elbows. Winds drain out through “marshes” such as the anus, vagina, eye of the penis, pores of the skin, mouth, armpits, backs of knees and front of elbows. The mouth, navel, palm, sole and perineum are among the two-way conduits. A practitioner practitioner disperses or directs winds through marsh or mountain, often using supplementary meridians or points. When obstructed the internal organs store unhealthy energies than can overflow into other systems s ystems and manifest as negative emotions and sickness. In search of an outlet these toxic energies create a cycle of negativity and stress, festering in t he organs and overflowing into the abdomen, the body’s garbage dump. The energetic centre of the body at the navel becomes congested and cut off from the rest of the body. _
Cranio-Sacral: Cranio-sacral Therapy is a subtle and profound healing form which assists this natural bodily intelligence. It is clear that a living human organism is immensely complex and requires an enormous amount of internal organization. Cranio-sacral Therapy helps nurture these internal ordering principles. It helps increase physical vitality and well-being, not only effecting structural change, but also having much wider implications e.g. improving interpersonal relationships, managing more appropriately etc. Dr William Sutherland Sutherland,, an American osteopath, discovered intrinsic movement movements s of the bones of the skull around the turn of the century. His further research revealed different rhythmic tidal motions in the body. These movements, which can be measured with delicate scientific instruments, instruments, are a direct expression of the health of the system. As research continued it became apparent that these movements are inextricably linked with not only physical health but also mental and emotional health. Palpation of these tide—like motions allows Cranio-sacral therapists to facilitate change in areas of restriction. This restriction of movement corresponds to a lack of the capacity of the life force to express its self-healing. This absence of health may result in disease or a sense of something missing or numbness. The whole of our life history is held in our physical form. An integral part of this work is the patient’s developing awareness of how their story is held and how it unfolds. We are a unit of life function and this is completely respected in Craniosacral Therapy. The work can address issues in whatever way the client wishes; physical aches and pains, acute and chronic disease, emotional or psychological disturbances, or simply developing well-being, health and vitality. Craniosacral Therapy is so gentle that it is suitable for babies, children, and the elderly, elderly, as well as adults; and also in fragile or acutely painful conditions. As a whole body therapy, treatment may aid almost every condition, raising the vitality and enabling the body’s own self-healing process to be utilized. _
Deep Tissue: Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber’s fiber ’s of the muscles, tendons and fascia. Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two. _
Feldenkrais: The Feldenkrais Method is a unique and sophisticated approach to human understanding, learning and change. The effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method lies in its ability to access the nervous system’s own innate processes to change and refine functioning. It is of benefit to everyone wishing to move and lie more comfortably, and to such diverse groups of people as those with restricted movement,, chronic pain, psychological and neurological problems, performing movement artists and athletes. Through personal experience we adopt patterns of physical and psychological behavior to assure our biological and social survival. These patterns are deeply embedded in our nervous system and often become outmoded or dysfunctional. The Feldenkrais Method utilizes functionally based variation, innovation and differentiation differentiation in sensory motor activity to free us from habitual patterns and allow for new patterns of thinking, moving and feeling to emerge. Movement is utilized to explore the biological as well as the cultural aspects of attention, intention and cognition and to delve deeply into how human development, learning and movement interrelate. The Feldenkrais Method is an unusual melding of motor developmen development, t, biomechanics, psychology psychology and martial arts. It is recognized for its demonstrated ability to improve posture, flexibility, coordination, self-image and to alleviate muscular tension and pain. It consists of two compelling and versatile applications: Awareness Through Through Movement and Functional Integration modalities harness the nervous system’s ability to self-organize towards more effecti effective ve and intelligent action. _
Jin Shin Jyutsu: Jin Shin Jyutsu physio-philosophy is an ancient art of harmonizing the life energy in the body. Born of innate wisdom and passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, the Art had fallen into relative obscurity when it was dramatically revived in the early 1900’s by Master Jiro Murai in Japan. Jin Shin Jyutsu J yutsu brings balance to the body’s energies, which promotes optimal health and well-being, and facilitates our own profound healing capacity. It is a valuable complement to conventional healing methods, inducing r elaxation and reducing the effects of stress. Jin Shin Jyutsu employs twenty-six “safety energy locks” along energy pathways that feed life into our bodies. When one or more of the paths becomes blocked, the resulting stagnation can disrupt the local area and eventually disharmonize the complete path of energy flow. Holding these energy locks in combination can bring balance to mind, body, body, and spirit. _
Reflexology: Reflexology is a science which deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Stimulating these reflexes properly can help many health problems in a natural way, a type of preventative maintenance. Reflexology is a serious advance in the health field and should not be confused with massage.
The idea behind Reflexology is not new—in fact, it was practiced as early as 2330 B.C. by the Egyptian culture. Reflexology as we know it today was first researched and developed by Eunice Ingham, the pioneer of this field. Her first book on the subject was published in 1938. And And since 1942, Reflexology workshops have been conducted year round. Reflexology is used primarily for relaxing tension. Reflexology improves nerve and blood supply, and helps nature to normalize. _
Reiki: Reiki is one of the more widely known forms of energy healing. At its most basic level, Reiki is a set of five principles for living, a set of hand positions for treating self and others, and the receiving of an attunement to connect to the reiki energy. An attunement (or empowerment) is a simple ceremony that helps you to reconnect to the energy that is reiki performed by a Reiki teacher or “master.” The system of Reiki was invented and developed by a man named Mikao Usui in the early 1900’s. Reiki is often translated to mean “Universal Life Energy”, but can also mean enlightenment enlightenment or the coming of together of the Universal Spirit of Creation with our own. Energy Healing involves direct application of Chi for the purpose of strengthening strengthening the client’s energy system (aura). Chi is the term used by the Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying force the Universe is made of. Mystics in all cultures have talked about the physical universe being made of an underlying form of something, much as modern physics research is now coming to understand the Universe is made of energy which is subject to (or affected by) thought. Just as modern physics says this energy is affected by thought the mystics also say this underlying form is affected by thought, going so far as to claim we create our own reality from our thinking and the thoughts we share between each of us every day. A Reiki healing is very simply performed. The practitioner places his or her hands upon the person to be healed with the intent i ntent for healing to occur, and then the energy begins flowing. The Reiki energy is smart since the Universe is a very smart place indeed. The energy knows where to go, and what to do once it gets there, or else is being directed by a higher intelligence. The energy manages manages its own flow to and within the recipient. It draws through the healer exactly that amount of energy which the recipient needs. All this happens without direct conscious intervention by the healer. The healer’s job is to get out of the way, to keep the healing space open, and to watch/listen for signs of what to do next. _
Rolfing: Rolfing Structural Integration is named after Dr. Ida P. Rolf. She began her inquiry more than fifty years ago, devoting her energy to creating a holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organized the whole body in gravity; she eventually named this system Structural Integration. She discovered that she could achieve remarkable changes in posture and structure by
manipulating the body’s myofascial system. Rolfing creates a more efficient use of the muscles, allows the body to conserve energy, and creates more economical and refined patterns of movement. Dr. Rolf claimed she found a correlation between muscular tension and pent up emotions. In Rolfing, alignment must be of much more than just the spine. To be healthy,, according to Rolfers, you must align your head, ankles, hips, thorax, pelvis, healthy knees, shoulders, ears, ears, etc., in just the right way or else the evils of gravity will be felt. By being properly aligned, gravity enhances personal energy leading to a healthy body and emotional state. _
Rosen Method: Marion Rosen developed this form of exercise to prevent physical difficulties before they arise and to help her clients feel better and age gracefully. These movements movements may be adapted to those who experience pain or have physical limitations. Rosen Method is distinguished by its gentle, direct touch. Using hands that listen rather than manipulate manipulate,, the practitioner focuses on chronic muscle tension. As relaxation occurs and the breath deepens, unconscious feelings, attitudes, and memories may emerge. Set to music, these easy, unhurried movements are designed to improve alignment and flexibility. They also increase range of motion, ease of breathing, and deepen awareness of the body. These movements movement s are done individually as well as in a circle or with partners. The Rosen practitioner has been trained to notice subtle changes in muscle tension and shifts in the breath. S/he recognizes these as indications that the client is relaxing and becoming more aware of his/her body and internal experience. The practitioner responds with touch and words which allow the client to begin to recognize what has been held down by unconscious muscle tension. As this process unfolds, habitual tension and old patterns may be released, freeing the client to experience more aliveness, new choices in life, and a greater sense of well-being. Rosen Method movement creates the experience of relaxation and wellbeing in action. Participants find new vitality, joy, and ease in their bodies. _
Shiatsu: Shiatsu is a Japanese massage technique that has its origins in Traditional Traditional Chinese Medicine and the historical massage techniques of Japan. Modern Shiatsu is based on these oriental traditions (which go back several thousand years) drawn together with ideas and knowledge from modern disciplines such as physiotherapy and psychology. These different disciplines were drawn together this century, mainly by the work of Shizotu Masunaga, to form what is now referred to as Zen Shiatsu. The focus of the Zen Shiatsu practitioner is to work with a client in the ‘here and now’, both giver and receiver having an ‘active’ involvement involvement in what should become a contemplative and intuitive process.
Shiatsu literally means fingerpressure. Natural body weight is used when pressure is applied on special points on the body. Through this pressure the energy flowing in the meridians is influenced. This energy is called chi. Shiatsu is -like acupuncture-- based on the theory of yin/yang and the 5-elements. Shiatsu is given acupuncture on the ground on a futon. _
Swedish: Swedish massage was developed in the 1700’s by a Swedish doctor named Pir Henrik Ling. The term “Swedish Massage” refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Swedish massage techniques include: long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and shaking motions. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. managem ent. It also has many specific medical uses. _
Trager Approach: Appr oach: The Trager Approach is the innovative approach to movement education, created and developed over a period of 65 years by Milton Trager, M.D. There are two aspects of The Trager Approach; one in which you, the client, are passive and the other in which you are active. The passive aspect is usually referred to as the tablework, and the active aspect is called Mentastics. Utilizing gentle, non-intrusive, natural movements, The Trager Approach helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity. These patterns may have developed in response to accidents, illnesses, or any kind of physical or emotional trauma, including the stress of everyday life. A session session usually lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. No oils or lotions are used and the client is dressed for their comfort, with a minimum of swimwear or briefs, and are additionally draped appropriately. appropriately. During the table work session the client is passive and lying on a comfortably padded table. The practitioner moves the client in ways they naturally move, and with a quality of touch and movement such that the recipient experiences the feeling of moving that effortlessly and freely on his/her own. The movements are never forced so that there is no induced pain or
discomfort to the client. One of the most potent aspects of The Trager Approach is the ability to recall the feeling of deep relaxation, and how it feels to move freely and easily easi ly..
