The Power of Touch by Finley

The power of touch

Touch changes things.  When we receive touch that feels pleasing and meaningful, our nervous system receives a cascade of good news, our immune system functions better and we feel more grounded and whole.  When we are touched in the right way, all sorts of symptoms calm down.  We also come more into rest and digest mode, which accounts for that wonderful feeling of contentment that often arises from a good massage.  What’s not to like?

Of course, these benefits only come with safe touch. The wrong kind of touch can feel like an unwanted aggression.  And during the pandemic, touch became associated with contagion.  In order for touch to be healing, we need to feel confident that it’s safe to say no, to ask for less or for a different kind of touch.  We need to know that we retain agency over our bodies and that our preferences are honoured and respected.  There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to relieving, effective touch, but when it’s right for us, touch can support our wellbeing in a whole range of contexts.  For some people it might be a trip to the hairdresser, a healing hug from a friend, a playful wrestle.  Even a reassuring tap on the arm by a medical practitioner has been shown to improve health outcomes. 

There’s evidence too that slower, rhythmic touch travels along different nerve routes to speedy touch and this slowness has specific benefits, including pain relief.  And research shows that having someone we’re close to holding our hand can change brain waves, heart rate and breathing, and leads to less pain during difficult procedures.  Compassion can be conveyed through our hands as well as through our eyes and voices.

Relational touch is more effective at calming symptoms than clinical, mechanical touch.  When we’re met and understood as a whole person with our own stories, beliefs and dreams rather than simply as a patient with a torn muscle or an aching shoulder, our systems respond better.

Much of what we bodyworkers were taught doesn’t always add up: we don’t need to create discomfort to relieve discomfort and pain doesn’t directly measure the health or condition of our tissues; it’s a much more complex story.  In my book Lovebroken (which has some final chapters set in ‘Tastings’!) I made fun of some of the things I was taught in massage school, and yet I’m hugely grateful to have been taught how to listen with my hands, how to be both confident and sensitive and how to use a variety of methods that are likely to be enjoyable. 

Knowing what I know now about the benefits of touch, my aim is to bring together a group of local people to learn some beautifully simple Thai massage techniques that can be shared with friends and family.  In this way we can support each other’s health with care and compassion.  Look out for the workshop in early September if you’d like to join us and learn how to give healing touch to your loved ones, or contact me directly for more information.

Be in touch and feel better!

finleyinhastings@gmail.com                                                                           bodymind-hastings.co.uk