The power of touch, the magic of massage
Everybody loves massage.
True or false?
False.
You might fear/ avoid it because you don't want to be touched by a stranger or fear touch in general. In many societies, not only women but also men tend to have more reservations towards the massage performed by a man.
You might also think it's just something you take, like medicine, whenever you're in pain. The therapist kneads through your muscle knots and voilà - your aching muscles are ready for action again.
You could consider it a luxury, a pampering treat for those who have time and money for it.
Let me tell you a bit about the power of touch and the immense potential of any bodywork therapy.
The biggest misconception about massage is that it is a mechanistic technique to release muscle tension. Thank goodness, it's so much more than that!
It affects the functioning of all body systems, benefiting not just physical, but also mental health. This is particularly true for Thai Massage where the therapist treats the client as an interconnected whole.
Let's face it. You are evolutionarily hard-wired to touch and be touched. Primates spend up to 18% of their waking hours grooming each other! Sadly, many modern societies actively discourage touch in non-romantic contexts. This is particularly true for men.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people around the world were forcefully touch-deprived. No amount of contact using technologies could make for that deficit of touch.
Oxytocin - dubbed the cuddle hormon - is released whenever we are in relation of love or bonding with another person (or other living creature). Hugs, sex and breastfeeding all increase levels of oxytocin.
Luckily, you don't need a child or a sexual partner to get oxytocin. Petting a dog or hugging a friend will do. You could also help a stranger or even watch family photos to get your dose. But one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase oxytocin is to give YOURSELF or receive a massage.
As the oxytocin increases, cortisol, the stress response hormone, decreases. Your heartbeat becomes slower, the blood pressure drops: and you start feeling calmer. As a result, your digestion, healing capacity, and immunity are bound to improve.
On the level of the nervous system, touch stimulates the vagus nerve, literally the 'wanderer nerve'. This is the longest nerve in the body, starting in the skull, passing through the face, and wandering through many vital organs, including the guts. The Vagus nerve is responsible for the relaxation response in the body.
A gentle, soothing touch (so not a pain-inflicting massage!) sends a direct message of safety and trust. Receiving or giving yourself a massage could give you the same feeling as getting a warm hug. It makes you feel cared for and helps you to drop guards you keep 24/7. You can switch off, let go, and release your burdens.
If you’d like to give yourself that loving, gentle touch that can release tensions and regulate your nervous system, check out my on-demand course The Power of Touch.