Human Connections Start With A Friendly Touch : NPR

Human Connections Start With A Friendly Touch

Human Connections Start With A Friendly Touch : NPR

Touch is often determined by class and culture. Each culture has a clear concept of what parts of the body one may or may not touch. The basic message of touch in the western world is to affect or control — protect, support, disapprove (i.e. hug- hit, kiss- kick). Touch in the African diaspora is for connecting, healing and nurturing. The concept of touch has been skewed in African culture by the denigrating impact of the Maafa.

• In the U.S., a handshake is common (even for strangers), hugs, kisses are permitted for those of opposite gender or of family (usually) on an increasingly more intimate basis. Most American-Africans will always touch on greeting, often in very sophisticated and elaborate ways, but are annoyed if touched on the head (good boy, good girl overtones).
  
• Africans and Asians generally don’t touch the head unless they are grooming or are intimate (The head houses the soul and a touch puts it in jeopardy).
• Many non-western cultures associate touch with healing. so the Healing Touch or Laying on of Hands is a significant part of cultural life. 
• Islamic and Hindu: typically don’t touch with the left hand. To do so is a social insult. Based on their beliefs, the left hand is used for toilet functions. It is mannerly in India to break bread only with your right hand (sometimes difficult for non-Indians)
• Islamic cultures generally don’t approve of any touching between genders (even handshakes). But consider such touching (including hand holding, hugs) between same-sex to be appropriate.

What is Healing Touch?
Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing energy. A gentle touch assists in balancing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of a person. Healing Touch works with your energy fields to support your natural ability to heal. It is safe for all ages and works in harmony with standard medical care. 


How Does Healing Touch Benefit?

• Reducing stress
• Calming anxiety, depression
• Decreasing pain
• Strengthening the immune system
• Enhancing recovery from surgery
• Complementary care for neck and back problems
• Deepening spiritual connection
• Supporting cancer care
• Creating a sense of well-being
• Easing acute and chronic conditions

 Healing Touch in Reducing Stress


   One of the common reports after receiving a Healing Touch session is one of deep relaxation and a sense of peacefulness.  This has been reported in a number of patient satisfaction surveys and in practice by both practitioners and their clients. In our stressful lives having the opportunity to come to a place of peace and rest is beneficial.  Some of those receiving a healing report that it feels like experiencing a deep meditation without the training and effort... (read More)
http://www.healingtouchinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=177&Itemid=383

  

Anxiety and Depression

  Anxiety and depression are very common in today’s global society. The effects of these disorders can create personal, family, and community hardship. Healing Touch may be able to help alleviate some of that suffering. For example, in a research study with heart patients Healing Touch was shown to reduce anxiety when used prior to a hospital procedure.(1)

Depression is a complex disorder that often times requires medical treatment. In one study symptoms of depression using a standard test were found to decrease faster with those receiving Healing Touch.(2) In an Australian study(3) depression was found to result in a disconnection from self, others and the world. Healing Touch was helpful in providing an opportunity for the patients in this study to experience understanding, safety, trust and positive anticipation in order to reconnect with the self, others and the world.

In other studies that involved looking at these factors positive effects have been found on decreasing anxiety and depression.(4),(5),(6) For example, in women undergoing radiation treatment the Healing Touch group showed more pronounced improvements in their levels of depression, anxiety and anger compared to the group that received a sham or fake healing session.(4) In another study,(6) with patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment, there was a decrease in depression in all three intervention groups (one of which was Healing Touch, the others massage and presence), which suggests that the presence of a caring person may help improve mood and reduce depression. However, they found that the specific intervention effects of massage and Healing Touch suggest that the touch therapies have an additive beneficial effect in improving mood, energy, and reducing fatigue. (Read More)

http://www.healingtouchinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=136&Itemid=384

The above revelations of Healing Touch display how the European corpora-tocracy of imperialism has capitalized on our original knowledge of healing modalities, then has planted the impression that our curative and survival solutions are inaccessible without medical prescription and financial sacrifice. What greatly concerns me is the presence of the pariahs of "Post Traumatic Slavery Disorders" that lurk within our communities, They are reflected in the highest statistics of physical illness, (Stroke, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Heart Attack, Cancers,) also Domestic Violence, Child/ Adult Abuse, Mental Illness, and Black on Black crime statistics. With these statistics, there seems to be a phenomena of great depression, Isolation, self medication and abuse, and desensitization that goes on, in our community. We can always say that "This is by design" all day long, yet, in saying that, we are surrendering to outside pressures and oppression. I for one, refuse to allow my family and community to "go gently into...!"

We must take back our healing modalities and then apply them to our own families and communities. If it can be said that the wealth of a civilization, society or culture is manifested by there investment in their Children and Elders... then we have a long way to go to divest from a society that "eats their young" and institutionalizes their elders.

http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/2004/07/17/minding-the-baby/


http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/2009/05/16/some-thoughts-on-the-benefits-of-massage-in-relationships/