Remember a time when you stubbed your toe or banged your shoulder against something. Wasn’t your immediate response to pay attention to that part of your body and perhaps touch it directly in an attempt to soothe the pain? Picture a little baby, maybe your own. If he or she just got a booboo, what would you probably do? Wouldn’t you want to touch that exact place or kiss it and tell your baby that everything will be all right. Your body responds to attention, care, nurturing and touch. When something happens in your life, good or bad, your physical body reacts by tightening, relaxing, getting activated, freezing, slowing down, etc. Touch enhances or counteracts your feelings. The difference is often merely the intention and quality of touch provided by the person doing the touching.
The simple act of touching, placing a caring hand upon someone’s shoulder, stroking their hair, hugging or even shaking hands can have a profound effect upon both people. If you ever had someone standing too close, touching you during the conversation, jabbing your shoulder, you know how a simple gesture of touch can be annoying, intrusive or even downright abusive without being a blatantly destructive thing. You have probably also felt the gentle, caring touch of someone whose touch conveys concern and reassurance in a moment when you are feeling doubtful, sad, insecure or even angry.
Body therapists, somatic therapists and body psychotherapists have recognized the power of touch in the healing process but science has taken a long time to catch up. Finally, we are beginning to understand why touch can be the key to unraveling long-held trauma, unpleasant intrusive thoughts and memories, even pain and dis-ease. 
Touch can be very light, as light as a feather or very deep with painful pressure. That very light touch may actually send healing energy to the core of your body mind system while that deep and painful touch may set up resistance in your tissues so that the healing benefit is blocked. A skilled practitioner, one who has worked with hundreds of people, people with different body types, different energetic and neuromuscular patterns, different emotional needs and different types of dis-ease and illness, that is the type of practitioner who can seem to miraculously break through to the core of your body issues.
How do you locate a skilled practitioner
who can help you with your unique body concerns?
I have created an amazing healing virtual summit. Forty-four advanced practitioners, researchers, authors, speakers and trainers describe their own healing journeys, their own unique combination of skills and some tips and suggestions of simple things you can do right now to improve your own healing process.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to meet through video so many leading touch therapists, somatic practitioners and body psychotherapists who just may have the missing key to your physical, emotional or even spiritual problems, concerns and dilemmas. I hope you will discover that missing link in your life that brings you into greater harmony and more long lasting joy and fulfillment.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
JOIN THE LOVE ME TOUCH ME HEAL ME SUMMIT
Dr. Erica Goodstone
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I fully agree about the importance of touch. And so many different types of touch are important and carry different meanings, depending on the one giving and receiving touches. Whether it’s a spouse, significant other, family member, child, grandchild, friend … or the furry kind, since fur babies are also part of the family … all carry their own significance.
Actually, the furry friends can do the most good for us. They lower our blood pressure, alleviate stress, lower our cortisol levels, and help us to relax and feel serene.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
I can attest to the power of touch, but from the opposite side. For years I had little to no touch from other people. Now when a friend gives me a hug or nudge it makes me feel so good. I can only imagine how much healthier I would be if there had been some touching on a regular basis all those past years.
Yes, touch is healing. But we can also touch a beloved pet or even stroke a soothing material or a stuffed animal. There are many ways to stimulate your sense of touch, with or without another human being. Studies have shown that people benefitted even more from giving touch than from receiving it.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hi Erica ,
a beautiful post and reminder how powerful touch is. You did write about in your book as well. I always think of the time my grandkids were little and when they hurt themselves ,they came to me to hold the hurting part . It took not long and the pain was gone . Even kids know that a loving touch is healing . We all can be healers and some people have a special talent and have the right touch .Good to have a therapist or practitioner who is able to do this.
Thank you
Erika
Erika,
Yes, kids know so much and then that knowledge often gets suppressed by adults who have forgotten.
Loving, gentle, caring touch heals. Harsh, intrusive and painful touch can cause a lifetime of damage
to one’s body and spirit. But compassionate touch with acceptance and tender caring can alter a lifetime of pain and allow the body, mind and spirit to heal.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hi Dr. Erica. I know how important touch is. My husband and I hug each other several times a day, and it always energizes me. That touch helps me to know that there is someone in the world who loves me. This is a wonderful article.
Hi Erica,
It always amazes me how much touch can heal the body.
Great post.
My son who has an autistic type condition is sensitive to touch, even the type of clothes he wears. He still wants hugs virtually each time he sees me – multiple times a day. They have to be quick hugs or he pushes me away, unless I make a joke such as “oops we are stuck with glue”? So even though he doesn’t particularly like the physical contact he still needs them.
I haven’t always been crazy about touching particularly hugging. 20 years ago participation in a fellowship helped me see how powerful touch is. My mom is very ill and she doesn’t remember much put I stroke her hair, rub her cheeks, massage her shoulders and hug her daily. Just my way of letting her know she is safe even though sometimes she doesn’t know who I am. Love your post Erica
Lydia,
So glad you discovered the power of touch. It is sad to see your mom losing her memory and awareness of you, but you know she does feel loved and cared for through your touch.
Warmly,
Erica
So that’s why I love touching people. Respectfully, of course. lol
Alvaro,
It’s a good thing to like touching people because so many are really touch deprived – as long as there is caring and no further agenda involved.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hi Erica,
Thank for your informative post. I completely agree with you that touch can bring a lot of unpredictable value.
Love your post much. Keep your great sharing.
Yes, touch brings lots of value.