Touch is the most important foundation of massage
therapy. I have written about
how touch affects body and mind in “Touch,” “Benefits of Massage,” “Human Touch” and the Japanese
post “スキンシップで幸せになろう.” Now that recent studies prove that
touch is good for us, I will sum it up from a scientific point of view.
When we receive positive touch, two (at least) physiological
reactions happen to us. First, the
parasympathetic nervous system is
activated. The parasympathetic
nervous system is our home base and helps us back to healing mode,
“rest-and-digest,” decreasing the “fight-or-flight” stress response. Consequently, we experience the sense
of relaxation and contentment.
Secondly, oxytocin,
so called the “love hormone,” made in the hypothalamus in the brain, is released. It immediately makes us feel calm and connected to the environment and people around us. It contributes to relaxation, healing, trust-building, and psychological stability. One of the studies on oxytocin and massage concluded that “massage increases OT (oxytocin) and decreases ACTH (adrenocorticotropin
hormone)” (ACTH is a hormone
often produced in response to emotional and physical stress.)
We don’t have to have pain or tight muscles to receive a
massage. Without knowing it, we
deal with stress (big or small) all the time or are getting ready for the next
stressful moment. Massage gives us
a break. Let’s make a feel-good-experience a habit to better our life.