The Healing Power of Touch

Cuddling with my greyhound dog and experiencing the benefit of a healing touch

This is my current dog, Misa, who also brings me endless comfort.

introduction

We’ve all been there. Sad. Despondent. Depressed. Angry. Numb. In other words, we’ve all grieved at some point in our lives. Grief is a thread that binds us all in the tapestry of human experience. Maybe we lost our favorite pet in childhood and took comfort in a parent’s arms while we cried and felt unconsolable. Maybe that first big break-up with a loved one kept us home and hiding under the covers for a whole week. Maybe someone we loved died. Grief manifests in many forms—it doesn’t discriminate. If you’re in pain or depressed and don’t know what you need right now, maybe you would benefit from the comfort of touch. When my younger sister died in 2013, my sweet dog, Ibis, brought me so much comfort. I would spend hours sitting with her long body stretched along the length of my leg. I instinctively knew this was good for me but I honestly didn’t have the wherewithal to consider why from a scientific standpoint.

Your very happy author with her mom.

Exploring the Science Behind Touch

At its core, touch is a language of the soul. Scientifically, touch triggers a cascade of physiological responses within the body, culminating in the release of oxytocin, often dubbed the "love hormone." Oxytocin plays a pivotal role in fostering feelings of warmth, trust, and connection, promoting bonding and intimacy between individuals. Mothers produce oxytocin during childbirth; it’s been said that this hormone plays a significant role in the mother and child bond. It’s present when friends or loved ones hug, when we first meet that special someone, or in the calming hand of a friend offering solace in times of need. When we experience comforting touch, our bodies respond by releasing oxytocin, inducing a sense of calm, security, and well-being. I didn’t grow up in a family that hugged often, yet I’m blessed to have fond memories—and plenty of photographic evidence—of being held by both my parents as a very young child. Those early years are pivotal to our well-being and provide long-lasting feelings of comfort and safety.

Navigating Touch in Times of Grief

When we are sad or depressed, the idea of seeking out physical contact may feel like an insurmountable task. Sorrow can leave us feeling isolated, withdrawn, and emotionally depleted, making it challenging to reach out for support or express our needs. Understandably so, it’s hard to reach out in moments like these. Touch can also feel unsafe when we feel vulnerable or in times of emotional duress. Complicated relationships or family dynamics can interfere in getting our needs met, as well. 

The Role of Pets in Providing Comfort

The affection offered from our furry companions is oftentimes much simpler and straightforward. During profound sadness and despair, they can provide unwavering support and unconditional love. Pets possess an innate ability to sense our emotions, responding with empathy and compassion when we need it most. Their love is not complicated. The gentle purring of a cat or the warm nuzzle of a dog can offer solace and reassurance, serving as constant companions in our journey through grief. Moreover, research has shown that the presence of animals can increase oxytocin levels in humans, further enhancing the healing power of touch. If you don’t have the option of spending time with animals at home, consider volunteering at your local shelter. Shelter animals need to be soothed, as well, and your time spent with them can be a mutually beneficial experience. 

Harnessing the Healing Benefits of Oxytocin

Beyond its immediate calming effects, oxytocin plays a pivotal role in promoting overall well-being, particularly in times of stress and adversity. When just getting through each day is hard enough, we need all the help we can get. By lowering stress levels and enhancing social bonding, oxytocin contributes to our mental and emotional health in profound ways. Dealing with loss and being on the rollercoaster of grief can be incredibly exhausting. It’s important to have as many healthy coping mechanisms available to you—things that are easy for you to implement. 

Incorporating Healing Touch into Your Healing Journey

For those who may lack access to a safe touching experience when needed in their personal lives, seeking out alternatives can be really beneficial. Therapeutic massage, provided by skilled and compassionate practitioners, offers a powerful means of experiencing healing touch without the need for complicated emotional entanglements. By incorporating regular massage sessions into your self-care routine, you can harness the healing benefits of touch to navigate through grief's exhausting terrain with greater ease and resilience.

Conclusion

In times of grief and sorrow, the healing power of touch can soothe and comfort us. Whether through the embrace of a loved one, the comforting presence of a pet, or the skilled hands of a massage therapist, touch has the ability to calm our heavy hearts and remind us that we are not alone on our journey through grief. As we embrace the healing power of touch, may we find solace, strength, and renewal in its gentle embrace, guiding us towards healing, restoration, and ultimately, a brighter tomorrow.

 
 

Q & A with Yolanda Cazares, MCT.

I’ve been getting restorative massages from Yolanda Cazares, CMT, for some time now. She provides therapeutic massage out of Strategic Bodywork in Oakland. Whether I’ve had a long day or a stressful week, I can always count on feeling restored after our session. In my line of work, self-care is especially important because I’m holding space for others and their pain throughout the week. Yolanda is a great resource if you live in Oakland, California because she specializes in therapeutic massage. Read on to learn more about Yolanda.


Q: What kind of pressure can I expect to receive?

Adapting to each body, I work within a range from light to moderate pressure. The level is determined by a client's preference, the intention for the session and their body's response. 

Q: What modalities do you use the most?

My sessions normally involve a mix of Eastern and Western modalities such as: deep tissue, myofacial release, Swedish, acupressure, and craniosacral. I see them as maps (systems/meridians) that I trust because they have had an effect on my own body. I include the same modalities in prenatal massage sessions.  

My bodywork style seems to resonate more deeply with people who are:

  • Experiencing high levels of anxiety/stress.

  • Working with somatic therapies.

  • Are pregnant or post birth.  

Q: What got you into bodywork?

Receiving bodywork helped me navigate physically and emotionally challenging situations at different times in my life, including foot surgery, anxiety and bereavement. My journey into this practice began in 2017, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I studied Traditional Thai Massage. After some detours, I completed my certification in Oakland, California in 2021. Through my practice, I wish to offer the type of support from which I greatly benefited. 

Q: What other elements of your life do you bring to your bodywork?

Running and yoga help me cultivate body and breath awareness, movement, aliveness, sense of discovery. 

I am a continuing beginner in my yoga practice and enjoy sharing with my clients all that I'm learning about encouraging a sense of spaciousness in the body.

To get in touch with Yolanda and book your therapeutic massage, visit Strategic Bodywork.

 
 
HealingFabienne JachGrief, Healing, Touch, Oxytocin, Pets, Massage