The Health Benefits of Touch

by Lain Chroust Ehmann

 

The "human touch" may actually have healing powers.

 

Joyce Roberson of New Mexico learned first-hand how important touch can be. Her son was born almost four months prematurely and spent the first two months of his life in a hospital incubator. Weighing only one pound at birth, he was not expected to live. After his critical situation stabilized somewhat, Joyce spent hours at a time just reaching into the incubator to place her hands on her baby, and when she was able to actually hold her son, she would sit and rock him for extended periods.

 

Did Joyce's touching and holding save her son's life, allowing him to develop into the healthy seven-year-old he is today?

 

"I'd be hard pressed to prove that," Joyce admits, "but in my heart I truly believe that my touching and stroking and holding him constantly gave him a will and the strength to live."

 

We intuitively respect the need to give children plenty of positive physical attention, but only recently has touch been recognized as important to the development and health of humans of all ages. New studies now highlight touch therapy as a way to combat medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, depression, fibromyalgia and more.

 

Why Is Touch So Important?

Study after study indicates that touch has a beneficial effect on our perception of pain, treatment of disease, and emotional and physical development.

 

"Touch is important for survival itself. We're meant to be touched. It's part of our inherent genetic development," says massage therapist Elliot Greene of Silver Spring, MD, past president of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Yes, touch feels good, but exactly why it's so inherent in our ability to develop normally goes deeper.

 

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, PhD, author of Coyote Medicine (see Resources section below) and program director at the Center for Health and Healing at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, has some ideas. First, it's been shown that after a touch therapy, such as massage, there's a reduction in the action of the hypothalamic area of the brain, which controls the so-called "fight or flight" response. The body's level of stress hormones decreases and the level of endorphins increases, leading to a minimized perception of pain and a greater feeling of well-being.

 

At the same time, the muscles being touched or massaged relax as well. "I suspect it's both a local effect of a relaxation response, and the brain kicking in and saying, 'Okay, I don't feel threatened; I feel good,'" says Dr. Mehl-Madrona.

In addition, if the touch comes from someone you have a positive bond with, like a friend, spouse or other loved one, you get the enhanced emotional experience of a greater sense of love and security. This is why a parent's touch or embrace can make children relax, providing the feeling that all is right with the world, even if they've been harmed or scared.

 

"Rubbing the 'boo-boo' does something physically, but it does something emotionally as well," says massage therapist Greene. "[Touch] is a subtle form of communication between people."

 

Treatment of Disease

Because of the positive overall results that touch has on the body, researchers have investigated using touch as a treatment for a variety of medical complaints. "In almost every study done on touch, there's been a beneficial effect," says Dr. Mehl-Madrona.

 

For instance, in a 1998 study on the efficacy of touch for improving functional ability in elders with degenerative arthritis, researchers at the University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire) discovered that touch improved pain, tension, mood, satisfaction and hand function.

 

Research conducted at St. Margaret Memorial hospital in Pittsburgh showed that another type of touch therapy, called "therapeutic touch," in which practitioners move their hands above the surface of the body and barely touch the skin, eased the pain of osteoarthritis. The study's lead researcher, Andrea Gordon, MD, hypothesizes that this type of touch may stimulate the body's energy field in a way similar to acupuncture.

 

Therapeutic touch is an intentionally directed process of energy exchange during which the practitioner uses the hands as a focus to facilitate the healing process. It is a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing practices. According to the Nurse Healers-Professional Associates International, "Therapeutic touch is a scientifically based practice founded on the premise that the human body, mind, emotions and intuition form a complex, dynamic energy field. The human energy field is governed by pattern and order. In its most healthy state the field is balanced, however, in a disease state, the energy is characterized by imbalance and disorder."

 

Dr. Mehl-Madrona says that massage and other touch therapies are thought to have a positive impact on autism and attention deficit disorder (ADD) in children, resulting in greater relaxation and less acting out. He has also researched the effect of touch on asthma and uterine fibroids, both of which, he reports, seem to respond well, at least anecdotally. Dr. Mehl-Madrona sees touch therapy as one of the treatment methods that anyone with a chronic illness should consider. "There's clearly no harm that can come from it," he says.

 

Finding a Practitioner

While it's fine to get a massage from your spouse or friend, using touch to treat chronic conditions is probably best handled by a professional. Practitioners in the fields of touch and energy therapies, such as massage, Reiki, acupressure, therapeutic touch and the like, have training and experience and probably can help you hone in on the most effective way to treat any particular complaints you might have.

 

That's not to discount the benefits associated with day-to-day touching by your friends and family. Doubters need look no further than a mother's instinctive ability to calm her infant to know that touching by a "layperson" can have an immediate positive effect.

 

Making Touch a Part of Your Life

As we spend more time at the computer, in the office, or on business travel, we have increased stress and fewer opportunities for physical contact. Even when people are face-to-face, concerns about sexual harassment and inappropriate touching can make people overly cautious and reluctant to touch each other. As a result, many of us may find ourselves starved for ordinary, casual touch from our acquaintances.

 

One simple way to improve your quality of life is to incorporate more touch into your daily activities. Something as simple as hugging family and friends hello and goodbye can help put them—and you—in a better frame of mind and may even provide a boost to physical health as well. And with virtually no negative side effects, a good dose of touching may be just what the doctor ordered.

10 Incredible Facts About Cuddling That Will Impress You

HEALTH LIFESTYLE BY ALLISON RENNER

 

It’s no secret that cuddling makes you feel good when you’re in a new or established relationship. It’s also something that you miss greatly when you’re single. But did you know there’s actually a scientific reason for that? It’s true! There are many surprising benefits of cuddling—so read on, and you’ll want to cuddle someone right now!

 

 

1. Cuddling releases oxytocin.

Oxytocin is a hormone that does everything from making you feel good to helping you feel connected to others. Oxytocin is crucial in the act of cuddling, as you’ll see from its benefits popping up in the list below.

 

2. Cuddling boosts your immune system.

When you’re so in love you feel invincible, you’re experiencing oxytocin release. This feel-good hormone makes you feel like nothing can hurt you—which is an amazing benefit! It also increases hormones that help fight infection. So, basically, you’re boosting your immune system because you’re feeling too good and healthy to get sick. The power of positive thinking—and feeling loved and secure—actually works!

 

3. Cuddling relieves pain.

Just as it boosts your immune system, cuddling and releasing oxytocin will decrease your pain levels. Whenever your neck hurts, what do you do? Rub it, right? Even simple touches like that release enough oxytocin to make you feel better, so imagine the effect cuddling has!

 

4. Cuddling helps deepen your relationships.

Communication is important in relationships, but people often forget how effective and meaningful touch can be. When your career is so stressful you come home and can’t stop thinking about the job, you’re taking a negative toll on your relationship. Instead, imagine coming home and cuddling with your partner for even ten minutes a day. This brief break from the stress of everyday life will not only give you all the other benefits listed here, but will also deepen your relationship. You’ll be taking time to focus solely on your partner and what you feel for them.

 

5. Cuddling can lead to more.

Even non-erotic touch can release dopamine, which is a hormone that increases sexual desire. Getting a sweet hug or massage from your partner after a long day can lead to more, which is win-win for both of you! Regular sexual activity will strengthen your relationship as well. Also, sex is a good stress reliever, and an easy way to get in some physical activity.

 

6. Cuddling helps women bond.

Have you heard the term “oxytocin” in relation to childbirth and breastfeeding? It’s because this chemical doesn’t just inspire good feelings between couples—it also works for women and their babies. Oxytocin helps relax the mother, so that breastfeeding may come more easily. It also enables sleep, even when the mother might have difficulty sleeping with a newborn in the house.

 

7. Cuddling reduces social anxiety.

Oxytocin inspires positive thinking. It helps you have an optimistic outlook on the world. Which means when you get a hug right as you arrive at the party where you only know one person, you’re going to feel happier and more social going in. You’ll feel like you can charm everyone at the party. And with oxytocin coursing through your system, you will!

 

8. Cuddling reduces stress.

It’s obvious by now, right? Oxytocin is an amazing natural hormone that has so many benefits for the human body. It’s only natural that all these positive effects are going to release stress, also. You’re feeling more connected with your partner, you’re feeling confident in social situations, your immune system is stronger—what do you have to be stressed about? You have a great, cuddle-filled, loving life. Enjoy it!

 

9. Cuddling lowers your risk of heart disease.

Yup—oxytocin again! All the benefits listed above add together to mean less stress, less anxiety, lower blood pressure and—you got it—a lower risk of heart disease! Because your heart is happier and not working as hard to combat the effects of stress and sickness, you’ll be healthier, longer.

 

10. Cuddling doesn’t have a definition.

Cuddling doesn’t have to be between you and your romantic partner. It doesn’t even have to be with another person—you can rub your own shoulders! You can also hug friends or play with your pets. If you don’t want to be social or don’t have a furry friend, never fear! You can take a warm bath or get a massage. Feeling warm and connected by some sort of touch is enough to release oxytocin into your system and get you feelin’ good!

 

The health benefits of touching are far and wide, so I’d like to convince you to increase the cuddle time with the loved ones in your life. I invite you to consider the top six reasons you need to be touched. 6 Surprising Reasons You Need to Be Touched: Hug Somebody Today!