Touch Therapies
The Sense of Touch
Touch Therapies
Touch Research Institute
Massage begins with Touch
- touch is the first sense to develop and begins in the womb.
- the skin and the nervous system arise from the same embryonic cell layer
- the skin is the largest sensory organ of the body. It protects the body, perceives and processes information
- touch impacts the mind, body and spirit
- touch is universal; it is a means of communciation
- we explore our world through touch
- touch is essential to our growth and development
- tactile needs do not change, if anything they increase with age
Touch Therapies fall into three main catergories:
Energy, Manual and Integrated
Energy
Energy approaches have a rich history that are based on ancient cultures. They involve working with body energy patterns, systems and pathways. Hand positions are used or body points are stimulated in order to move and direct energy throughout the body. Energy work may be done on the body at a physical level or off the body working with the human energy field and/or chakra system. Energy approaches include acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, reiki and therapeutic touch.
Manual
Manual or manipulative approaches involve various applications of touch including stroking, kneading, compression, stretching, active movements and range of motion. They move the muscle tissue and work with the fascia and structure of the body. Some examples of manipulative touch therapies are osteopathy, chiropratic care and massage therapy.
Integrated
Integrated methods are a combination of energy and manual approaches.
The Touch Research Institute (TRI) was established by Tiffany Fields in 1992 at the University of Miami Medical School. They have conducted over 100 studies on touch and touch therapies. Their research has studied many different groups including; infants, children with autism and attention deficits, psychiatric patients, individuals with cancer, chronic fatique, depression, skin problems, neuromuscular problems, Alzheimers, the elderly, etc.
According to TRI "There is not a single condition that has not effectively responded to massage"
I encourage you to visit their website at
