The Importance of Touch

 Touch is one of our first means of information to the world around us. As we age our relationship to touch changes based on our interactions to it. If we were had easy access to touch: being picked up when we cried or fell down, constant hugs or holding of hands, high-fives, wrestling, leaning, or simply just being near a person, then our relationship to touch might be one of familiarity and enjoyment. If we had the opposite interaction with touch, of being left to self-soothe, pick ourselves back up off the ground, and solitude, then our relationship to touch might be more hesitant. In another relationship, touch equated a threat or a fear. It was painful and came without a warning. Our relationship would then be more of an aversion to touch. 

With this knowledge of how different individuals perceive touch, we are then able to better understand the benefits massage might have on a body. As important for the therapist to know how to interact and provide the best possible experience for each of their clients, it is also important for the client to know how they may be affected by touch and what they like and don't like. If it is a first time, or even veteran client, communicating to the therapist is vital. Things like too much or not enough pressure is base line information to relay, but communicating if something makes you feel uncomfortable, or if you want to understand the technique in which they are working on you. All of these things are important to make sure the client receives the best session possible with the most comfort possible. It also allows the therapist to better understand the needs and concerns of their client. This information is then logged and updated in the client's information chart. 

Knowing how touch is perceived in an initial session with a client allows the therapist to work with the client to understand the benefits of a therapeutic touch in a massage session. If someone walks into the massage room who doesn't like deep pressure or a specific area of the body worked on, then certain modalities are going to be avoided. Over time, and with the growth of a client-therapist relationship, different modalities can be incorporated to benefit the client more. The opposite is also true, if a client walks in and only wants deep pressure massages, and the benefit of a different modality would be beneficial, the therapist should educate the client on how a different session would provide better results in their treatment goals. While educating a client is important, it is also the client's decision (as long as it isn't contraindicated) to what type of session and pressure they desire. So, the next time you walk into a massage session, be sure to provide the right information to the therapist regarding the kind of therapeutic touch you're seeking