Massage – The Power of Touch
Massage – The Power of Touch
I’ve just been reading an article about how very powerful – and necessary – it is to be touched by other people. It’s amazing just how important it is. Massage is, of course, one of the lovely ways in which humans can touch each other.
I’ve been meaning to post about this subject for a while – ever since I received my Indian Head Massage Diploma earlier this year – but life has been very hectic and busy, and I haven’t felt I had the time to do it justice. However, this article, available here on the School of Natural Health Sciences’ website, has reminded me about it at a time when, amazingly, I do have the time.
Touch is hugely important to human beings; far more so than most of us realise. The article talks about ‘touch starvation’ being an epidemic, and with so many people spending a part of their lives feeling lonely and having no-one to touch, or to touch them, I can perfectly understand this. Touch is also important to many animals. For instance, if a baby animal is taken away from its mother and not returned within a certain space of time, the mother may reject it when it returns, because the bond of touch between them has been broken and the baby’s oxycontin levels have fallen too low.
When we are touched, our bodies secrete a hormone known as oxytocin (among other things). This benefits us in several ways – it boost our immune system, makes us feel good, lowers stress hormones in the body, reduces blood pressure, and speeds wound healing. It also apparently helps to improve our relationships, including helping to build trust of others. Conversely, lack of oxytocin has been linked to anti-social behaviour and anxiety in both humans and animals.
Massage therapy has been scientifically proven to help increase levels of oxytocin, and it is called a therapy for many reasons. Not only can it help to ease muscle tension, stress, and aches and pains, but it can also help calm our minds, and help us to relax. Its benefits are physical, mental and emotional, and they are intertwined.
Physically, massage therapy can ease headaches, muscular cramps and mobility issues, as well as insomnia. Mentally and emotionally, it can ease feelings of stress and tension, and lift our mood. Everyone who has received an Indian Head Massage from me so far has experienced better sleep, release of tension, and an improvement in mood and wellbeing.
And, as a session only takes half an hour (after the first session, when I would need to take a case history), it costs half the price of a full session with me.
So why not treat yourself or a loved one to an Indian Head Massage? You know by now just how much it makes sense.
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