The Healing Power of Touch

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Whether it is a gentle squeeze or big hug, we all know that a parent s touch can be comforting. But science shows that it can actually do wonders for your health too. Touch can calm the stress response and lower blood pressure, says James Nicolai, physician and medical director of the Andrew Weil, M.D. Integrative Wellness Program at Miraval Resorts. And that has a positive effect on the entire body.

Whether it’s a gentle squeeze or big hug, we all know that a parent’s
touch can be comforting. But science shows that it can actually do
wonders for your health too. “Touch can calm the stress response and
lower blood pressure,” says James Nicolai, physician and medical
director of the Andrew Weil, M.D. Integrative Wellness Program at
Miraval Resorts. “And that has a positive effect on the entire body.”

That’s particularly true among children, says Tiffany Field, director
of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami. In a series
of studies, Field and her researchers showed that babies and kids who
received regular massages from their parents reaped a number of
benefits, such as better sleep, less anxiety and a stronger immune
system. “What’s more, it also helps strengthen the bond between parent
and child,” she says.

Like exercise and proper nutrition, regular massage and touch is an
integral part of staying healthy, says Field. Read on for more reasons
why you should get touchy-feely.

1. It eases stress. “Kids love touch; there’s a lot
of hugging and wrestling,” says Nicolai. “Intuitively, they know it
helps them relax and makes them happy.” Research backs this up: A study
published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found
that children who received a massage had lower levels of the stress
hormone cortisol, as well as less anxiety and depression, than those who
watched a relaxing video.

2. It fends off colds. A snuggle a day may keep
those sniffles away: Touch has been shown to raise the body’s production
of natural killer cells, the immune cells that help protect against
viruses, explains Field. What’s more, researchers from Cedars-Sinai
Medical Center showed that massages increased levels of cold-fighting
white blood cells and lowered amounts of a hormone linked to the stress
hormone cortisol.

3. It can improve breathing. According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics,
asthmatic children who were massaged daily for 20 minutes before bed
had better control over the condition and breathed easier after a month
than those who received relaxation therapy. Stress can tighten airways,
which constricts breathing, say experts. That’s why regular touch may
help ease the wheezing and coughing.

4. It improves sleep. “Massage has been shown to
help kids fall asleep faster and snooze more soundly,” says Field. And
that has a big payoff in the classroom: Researchers from the Touch
Research Institute found that kids who received this touch therapy were
better behaved and scored higher on attention and cooperation tests than
those who didn’t.

Massage 101
To reap these benefits, consider
giving your child regular massages. “In our studies, we instructed
parents to give their children massages for 15 minutes every evening
before bedtime,” says Field.

To start, figure out the right level
of pressure: Studies suggest that a moderate amount is best. “Research
shows that a very gentle massage doesn’t have the same effect,” says
Field. “Kids can get ticklish from a very light touch.” She recommends
practicing on yourself or your spouse first to determine the appropriate
amount of pressure.

Then massage your baby or young child with
gliding strokes on his or her shoulders, back, arms and legs. As your
kid grows older, you can incorporate different types of techniques and
include his or her hands and feet. Ask your child what he or she likes,
and if he or she is experiencing any discomfort.

“Older kids and
teens tend to not like their parents giving them massages,” says Field.
Rub their shoulders while they sit in a chair, or make them an
appointment with a massage therapist.

Think your child would benefit from a deep-tissue massage? Avoid
doing it yourself, warns Kiera Nagle, a licensed massage therapist with
the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. “If done incorrectly, this
type of firm bodywork can harm muscles and nerves,” she says. Seek out
licensed massage therapist with experience in pediatric massage, says
Nagle, and remain in the room during the treatment. Bonus: Most
therapists are happy to give you massage tips that you can use at home.

How often do you hug your kids? Do they accept your hugs or squirm away? Join the conversation.

Richard JaramilloRichard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com,
a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children.
RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents
“Make Life Happen…Again!”

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Richard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com, a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children. RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents “Make Life Happen…Again!”