The power of touch
Touch can have a profound effect on our health and wellbeing, from reducing depression to aiding premature infant care, discovers Michele O’Connor
Why is touch so important?
Human touch is a huge part of how we interact with others and it begins at birth. Skin-to-skin contact has been shown to help regulate newborns’ temperature, heart rate and breathing, and decreases crying while also increasing mothers’ relaxation hormones.
A report, co-authored by The British Beauty Council, claims prescribing touch therapy on the NHS for mental health problems could save the system £10.5billion a year, reduce sick days by 1.76 million, and days off work relating to menopause by 1.4 million.
“The skin is the largest organ in the body and sends good and bad touch sensations to your brain,” explains Miriam Akhtar, psychologist and author (positivepsychologytraining.co.uk).
“When you engage in pleasant touch, your brain releases all four happiness hormones – serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin – which makes you feel calm and lowers anxiety and fear.”
Touch helps maintain bonds too. “Behavioural experts think this is partly why humans have developed ways of acknowledging each other physically on meeting. From handshakes and hugs to cheek kissing or fist bumps, we demonstrate and create comfort with each other.”
How does it benefit our health?
As social beings, we need touch. It impacts mental health but can ease pain, speed up recovery after illness and injury, lower blood pressure and affect immune response.
“Because massage therapy releases those feel-good hormones, it helps improve mood, reduce feelings of depression and decrease stress hormones,” explains Miriam.
It’s never too soon to start, either.
A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry showed that young patients struggling with anxiety or depression were happier, more relaxed and less stressed after a massage.
The impact of no touch
When we don’t get enough physical touch, we can become stressed, anxious, or depressed.
“Touch starvation is one of many reasons why the pandemic has had such a devastating impact on mental health,” explains Miriam.
It’s unfortunate that, in protecting the most vulnerable, such as care home residents and elderly people living alone, we have also deprived them of something so essential.
Studies using PET scans have found that the brain calms in response to stress when a person’s hand is held – even if it’s that’s by a stranger (although the effect is greatest when the hand being held is that of a loved one). “Luckily, self-touch also counts and the techniques could not be simpler,” says Miriam. “Gently stroke your own face and body with the intention of kindness, just as you would soothe a child or stroke a pet.
“Hands, in particular, have a lot of nerve endings so close your eyes and start with the back of your hands. Then cross your arms to stroke your opposite arms. This has been combined with tapping collar bones and stroking the palms of hands to create a therapy known as the Havening technique,” she explains.
Massage and cancer
Even the most difficult times can be improved by touch. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine also found that massage not only improved quality of life for patients with advanced cancer, but also reduced pain and improved sleep.
Yet, frustratingly, many people undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy find they are refused massages and facials by therapists citing insurance issues.
If you are having trouble booking treatments you can search for therapists near you who have completed a Cancer Touch Therapy Training Course at maphub.net/ made-for-life-organics/ stockist-and-spa-finder.