During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to its negative effects on the mental health of many, the need for alternative therapies to alleviate anxiety and stress grew, among which "touch therapy" emerged prominently. This type of therapy involves the therapist physically touching you in a certain way; it is a form of massage that targets muscles and soft tissues in the body, as well as the face and head.
Experts state that touch stimulates the vagus nerve, which branches out into nerves that extend throughout the body and is designed to regulate the functions of internal organs. It has been shown that the levels of four key chemical substances in the body change significantly with physical touch. The element oxytocin, known as the love hormone, increases during touch therapy, and this reaction has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety.
Additionally, chemicals that give the body a sense of pleasure, such as serotonin and dopamine, also rise in response to this type of therapy, along with a decrease in cortisol levels, which can lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Yvonne Abdon, the general director of the Spa Association in the UK, stated, "Since the reopening of the spa, wellness, and beauty sector, we have seen a record demand for touch therapies. Spas are fully booked in advance because people are in urgent need of the benefits that touch therapy can bring."
Helena Gerzisk, the head of operations at the British Beauty Council, mentioned that more evidence is being gathered globally to demonstrate the positive effects of touch therapy on our physical and mental health and well-being.
According to recent studies conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation in collaboration with Professor Fulvio De Queisto, an immunologist at the University of Roehampton, white blood cells responsible for immunity increased by 70% in individuals undergoing massage sessions.
Studies have also shown that touch therapy can help overcome fatigue, stress, and pre- and post-menopausal symptoms. It is worth mentioning that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK currently recognizes several uses for massage therapy, including back, neck, and shoulder pain, osteoporosis, cancer symptoms, treatment side effects, fibromyalgia, and HIV (AIDS), as reported by the Metro website.
