Human Touch

I heard an advertisement on the radio about high-tech Shiatsu massage chairs manufactured by a Japanese company.  It scans your body profile, detects your Shiatsu points, and customize each massage session.  In fact, I have tried one of those at hot spring inns in Japan before I became a massage therapist.  It was much more improved than the older models that the hard rollers only went up and down, circled, and vibrated.  It scanned the body structure first and massaged supposedly “Shiatsu points.” It also compressed and kneaded the arms and calves.  It felt good.  However, I couldn’t help feeling little something was missing.

Of course, it’s just a machine, not a real person doing a massage.  But, it’s not just because a real person has soft hands and can adjust the pressure or position so minutely to your liking.  What makes a real massage so special is the connection with another human being through touch, which is the first and most fundamental craving.  I received a bodywork when I didn’t have any pain or discomfort.  Even a leg or an arm being held or compressed gave me such a comfort for my body and mind as a whole.  Here is the person who is there for you, cares about your well-being, and accepts you as you are.  The acceptance and connection benefit your body and mind more than the accurate pressure on the perfect spots or multiple skilled techniques.

Out of curiosity, I checked how much those massage chairs that I heard on the radio cost.  Surprisingly, it costs about $10,000!  You can get 100-150 real massage sessions for the money worth.  I wonder who would buy one and why.  Probably people with very little time to go get a massage, for convenience.  But then, if they can afford the high-tech chair, they could certainly afford a massage therapist for house calls any time.  Maybe for solitude?  If so, sadly, they may be missing out on the most important benefit of massage.  The secret to well-being is human touch – the connection with other people.