How touch can heal our bodies
From the moment we are born, touch is essential for our development. In fact, physical touch plays a crucial role in a baby’s brain development; without it, brain growth can be significantly compromised. Multiple studies show that touch is vital for both emotional and physical health.
This raises an important question: How significant is touch for our well-being as we grow older?.
Touch provides us comfort and safety, It's a way of bonding. It is a subtle way to reassure us of where our body begins and ends, our place in space, and our relationship with everything outside those limits. It provides us with comfort and makes us feel grounded. It allows our bodies to fully relax, and that will naturally improve our mood, making us feel calm and finding a sense of peace within us.
When we are anxious, stressed, depressed, stuck in life, or moving through life with fear, we feel it in our bodies as well. When a person has been holding onto an emotion for a long time, the body can begin to somatize the emotion. This is a way that our body has to protect us from overpowering feelings.
Our body needs to recover its sense of safety. (This is especially true for people who have experienced trauma where the nervous system has been completely disregulated.)
Think about it: our bodies naturally relax only in environments where we feel safe.
This is why practices like Reiki, bodywork, or touch therapy are so effective. These therapies help regulate the nervous system, restoring balance and promoting healing.
*It’s important to note that these techniques—whether Reiki, bodywork, or other forms of touch therapy—are complementary to traditional healthcare, not replacements. Always consult a healthcare professional for any medical concerns.
