Healing power of touch
Feb 15, 2006
It is calming, so tender and reassuring. The soothing touch. Which normal human being would defy the power of touch? Stress vanishes and every care is swept under the warmth of that hug.
By Wagwau Jamesa
It is calming, so tender and reassuring. The soothing touch. Which normal human being would defy the power of touch? Stress vanishes and every care is swept under the warmth of that hug. Can you imagine life without a hug, handshake, tender back rub or any kind of soothing touch? Miserable!
A series of studies carried out in 1977 at Baltimore University, Maryland School of Medicine, New York, revealed the health importance of the touch. Dr. James Lynch, and his colleagues monitored men and women who had irregular heartbeats, a condition referred to as ventricular arrhythmias. They found that a significant reduction in irregular heartbeats occurred when a nurse or doctor touched the patients to take their pulse. In some of these patients, pulse taking had the power to completely suppress irregular heartbeats that had previously been occurring.
In his book, The Broken Heart, Dr Lynch also makes an exposition of his touch experiments. He confirms that ‘there is a biological basis for our need to form loving human relationships. If we fail to fulfil that need, our heart is in peril’. His experiments revealed that touch slows down the heart rate, drops blood pressure and speeds up recovery. This explains why patients suffering from highly infectious diseases that call from isolation, like ebola, move faster to their graves when left alone.
Dr Lynch’s findings find parallels in infant related studies. Studies done at the Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA showed the clinical benefits a massage has on infants and children. Researchers found that premature babies who were massaged had 47% increase in weight gain and went home an average of six days earlier than infants who were not massaged. At eight months, these babies continued to show better weight gain as well as intellectual and motor development compared to others.
Following this findings Dr Tiffany Field of the Touch Research Institute concluded that ‘touch is as important to infants as eating and sleeping.’ He pointed out that touch therapy triggers many physiological changes that help infants and children develop. “Massage stimulates nerves in the brain, which facilitate food absorption, resulting in faster weight gain. It also lowers levels of stress hormones resulting in improved immune function,†he writes.
Australian Institute of Para psychological Research in their journal of Transpersonal Psychology describes touch as a ‘healing balm.’ According to this journal, touch triggers the release of endorphins — a natural painkiller whose action is more powerful than heroin or morphine. Touch eases pain, minimises anxiety and generates hope. Gretchen Malik, writing in Women Health Magazine of October 28, 2001 says touch can strengthen immune system, lessen stress and make one feel calmer.
Dr Barbara Munduru says the power of touch is as important as the actual treatment. The medical officer at Nsambya Hospital says touch is an essential part of diagnosis. “In our interaction with patients, we shake their hands and give a pat at the back to improve patient-doctor relationship. Furthermore, there are patients who feel relieved after receiving the doctor’s touch and reassurance that they will be okay,†the doctor said. If touch is inhibited it is reflected in our self-esteem, our confidence and ability to function and evolve into a socially acceptable adult.
My friend Tim swears that the evening hug from his fiancée makes the pains of the day disappear instantly. “I feel refreshed and transformed into a new being, recharged like a dynamo ready to capture dreams, climb heights and take greater risks,†he says.
Apart from health benefits, touch also performs sociological roles. Sister Tinkamanyire, a counselling psychologist says touch is more than a healing balm — it is a complete communication in itself. “Touch conveys a message depending on which part of the body is touched, how tender or firm the touch is, the eye messages used and the intimacy between the two people involved,†she says. A gentle touch can communicate a message in ways words can never do.
Did you know that touch benefits the giver and receiver in equal proportions? It is a powerful medication nature has endowed mankind with — so precious, yet so accessible to all. For a healthy mind why not hug your friends more, for good parenting, hug and hold your child often and for a good marriage touch and hug your spouse at the slightest opportunity. You will live longer.
Ends
It is calming, so tender and reassuring. The soothing touch. Which normal human being would defy the power of touch? Stress vanishes and every care is swept under the warmth of that hug. Can you imagine life without a hug, handshake, tender back rub or any kind of soothing touch? Miserable!
A series of studies carried out in 1977 at Baltimore University, Maryland School of Medicine, New York, revealed the health importance of the touch. Dr. James Lynch, and his colleagues monitored men and women who had irregular heartbeats, a condition referred to as ventricular arrhythmias. They found that a significant reduction in irregular heartbeats occurred when a nurse or doctor touched the patients to take their pulse. In some of these patients, pulse taking had the power to completely suppress irregular heartbeats that had previously been occurring.
In his book, The Broken Heart, Dr Lynch also makes an exposition of his touch experiments. He confirms that ‘there is a biological basis for our need to form loving human relationships. If we fail to fulfil that need, our heart is in peril’. His experiments revealed that touch slows down the heart rate, drops blood pressure and speeds up recovery. This explains why patients suffering from highly infectious diseases that call from isolation, like ebola, move faster to their graves when left alone.
Dr Lynch’s findings find parallels in infant related studies. Studies done at the Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA showed the clinical benefits a massage has on infants and children. Researchers found that premature babies who were massaged had 47% increase in weight gain and went home an average of six days earlier than infants who were not massaged. At eight months, these babies continued to show better weight gain as well as intellectual and motor development compared to others.
Following this findings Dr Tiffany Field of the Touch Research Institute concluded that ‘touch is as important to infants as eating and sleeping.’ He pointed out that touch therapy triggers many physiological changes that help infants and children develop. “Massage stimulates nerves in the brain, which facilitate food absorption, resulting in faster weight gain. It also lowers levels of stress hormones resulting in improved immune function,†he writes.
Australian Institute of Para psychological Research in their journal of Transpersonal Psychology describes touch as a ‘healing balm.’ According to this journal, touch triggers the release of endorphins — a natural painkiller whose action is more powerful than heroin or morphine. Touch eases pain, minimises anxiety and generates hope. Gretchen Malik, writing in Women Health Magazine of October 28, 2001 says touch can strengthen immune system, lessen stress and make one feel calmer.
Dr Barbara Munduru says the power of touch is as important as the actual treatment. The medical officer at Nsambya Hospital says touch is an essential part of diagnosis. “In our interaction with patients, we shake their hands and give a pat at the back to improve patient-doctor relationship. Furthermore, there are patients who feel relieved after receiving the doctor’s touch and reassurance that they will be okay,†the doctor said. If touch is inhibited it is reflected in our self-esteem, our confidence and ability to function and evolve into a socially acceptable adult.
My friend Tim swears that the evening hug from his fiancée makes the pains of the day disappear instantly. “I feel refreshed and transformed into a new being, recharged like a dynamo ready to capture dreams, climb heights and take greater risks,†he says.
Apart from health benefits, touch also performs sociological roles. Sister Tinkamanyire, a counselling psychologist says touch is more than a healing balm — it is a complete communication in itself. “Touch conveys a message depending on which part of the body is touched, how tender or firm the touch is, the eye messages used and the intimacy between the two people involved,†she says. A gentle touch can communicate a message in ways words can never do.
Did you know that touch benefits the giver and receiver in equal proportions? It is a powerful medication nature has endowed mankind with — so precious, yet so accessible to all. For a healthy mind why not hug your friends more, for good parenting, hug and hold your child often and for a good marriage touch and hug your spouse at the slightest opportunity. You will live longer.
Ends