An Introduction To Touch-Somatics

A System of Massage, Healing Touch, Movement and Bodywork

I have been doing Bodywork, Hands-on Healing, and Massage for almost half-a century.

I even wrote a bestselling book about the subject Massage…

Often when people speak of natural healing, alternative medicine, or functional medicine the pieces of the holistic puzzle that is left out is Bodywork, Hand-on Healing, Massage, movement re-education

Generally speaking, when we speak of…

• Massage and Bodywork (the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues, or the adjustment of bones),
• Movement re-education (Also called Somatic therapy, this involves becoming aware of when our bodies are telling us we’re stressed or triggered, like with muscle tension, or shallow breathing. Somatic therapy also involves learning how to discharge or calm that tension, stress, and trauma),
• Healing Touch (the balancing of energy (qi).

… we are speaking of techniques that are usually applied with:

• Intense mental focus,
• hands,
• fingers,
• elbows,
• knees,
• forearms,
• feet
• … Or a manual, mechanical, or electrical device.

The purpose of Bodywork is generally for the treatment of emotional or body stress or pain. In the USA and Canada a professionally trained person in Bodywork is traditionally known as a Bodyworker, a masseur (male) or masseuse (female). In the United States, they are licensed or certified. In some provinces of Canada, “registered massage therapists”, are regulated health professionals.

• manual lymphatic drainage,
• deep tissue,
• medical,
• sports,
• structural integration,
• Swedish,
• Thai,
• Shiatsu,
• Tuina,
• Emotional massage,
• Sensual (usually not sexual — this usually illegal in most states in the USA),
• Contemporary Esalen Style
• On-Site/Seated/Chair Bodywork
• Pregnancy Bodywork
• Infant and Child Bodywork
• Sports Bodywork
• …And Trigger point.

Someone, asked me about how many different types of Bodywork, Massage and Hand-on Healing there are other than the ones listed above. Even this list below is not comprehensive but it covers a lot of territory.

• Geriatric Bodywork (for the elderly),
• Russian Bodywork,
• Bindegesebs Bodywork,
• Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy,
• Lauren Berry Method,
• Bowen Technique,
• Craniosacral Therapy,
• Ortho-Bionomy,
• Body Logic.

Then There are the Structurally Based Integrative Movement Re-education- Bodywork Systems

• Postural Therapy,
• Rolfing (Structural Integration)
• Aston-Patterning
• Hellerwork
• Postural Integration
• Soma Neuromuscular Integration
• CORE Bodywork
• Myofascial Release

Functionally Based, Body/Mind Approaches To Bodywork and Movement

• Learning to Move,
• The Alexander Technique,
• Gerda Alexander Eutony,
• Sensory Awareness,
• The Mesendieck System,
• The Feldenkrais Method,
• Hanna Somatic Education,
• Body-Mind Centering,

Western Based Movement-Touch Arts:

• Dance,
• Laban-Bartenieff,
• The Pilates or Physical Mind Method,
• Ideokinesis,
• Contact Improvisation,
• Gyrotonics.

Rach of these will be explore in future stories in this series, or you can research them on-line.

Here Is An Example Of A Simple Qi-Based Hands-On Healing Technique Called “Energy Sourcing”

Step 1

Sit comfortably on a chair, with both feet on the floor. Rest your elbows away from your body, not on your lap. Place your palms so they are facing each other. Now bring your hands as close together as possible without touching. Separate them about two inches, then bring them together without touching again. Repeat this exercise. Can you feel heat, tingling or pressure between your palms or fingers?

Step 2

Now place your hands eight inches apart. Slowly bring them towards each other at about two inches at a time. As they come closer sense the field between them. Compress it as your hands move closer together. Focus your attention on this energy field. Your energy field! A similar technique is predominant in The Therapeutic Touch system developed by Dr. Dolores Krieger.

Step 3

Using your index finger, use firm pressure to locate the point of blockage. Ask your client, “Is this tender to the touch?” or “Where do you feel pressure?” Direct your client to let you know when you touch a spot that is more sensitive than the rest of the area. If you have enough sensitivity in your fingers, you will probably feel a thickening or tightness of the muscle. If you have difficulty locating the precise location with your index finger, use your thumb and then switch to your index finger once you have located the blockage.

Step 4

Now rest your finger gently on the point. Place your other hand on any joint of the body where it can rest comfortably. This second contact is made with the entire palm covering the joint and the fingers resting lightly on the body. Gentle pressure may be applied here but it is not necessary. This hand serves as an earthy, stabilizing factor to support and give structure, and direction to the “Chi” as it flows through your body and emotions. Maintain touch until you sense warmth in your index finger-about two to three minutes.

Remember: This contact is a very subtle balancing tool. No benefit is gained from using pressure. Lightness of touch is really the key here.

Light vs. Deep Bodywork

Many bodywork systems lean towards an approach of gentle healing energy while others are a more invasive style of muscle manipulation. My own experience is that each has its place. Light work tends to have a more profound effect on emotional “holding patterns” and since light work is less invasive it enables the client to work through “emotional trauma” and structural blockages at an easier more comfortable pace. Often it is emotional issues that may in fact be contributing to the structural situation. There are however certain structural situations that seem to respond only to very deep and forceful bodywork. In these situations I may use an Energetic Bodywork Technique called Connective Tissue De-armoring.

Energy Sourcing

This is the basic technique used to develop sensitivity to qi. It is an essential skill for all energy based healing.

Muscle kneading has many benefits. It is especially useful for firming weak muscles. Of all bodywork techniques, this is probably the most structurally oriented. It is invaluable in paralysis and in all cases where there has been tissue degeneration. It can be applied easily anywhere on the body with the exception of the shins, bony joints, and the skull.

In working with muscles near a bone that has been fractured (and has already had the cast removed), or near a sprain, muscle kneading is the technique to choose.

Caution: Avoid using this technique in any situation where deep pressure is ill advised such as hypertension, heart disease, cancer or on irritated skin.

The Takeaway

The health benefits of healing touch, massage, and bodywork are undeniable, especially for relief. Healing touch, massage therapy, and bodywork can provide both physical and mental health benefits that many other therapeutic treatments cannot match.

Physically speaking, healing touch, massage therapy, and bodywork have been linked to improved blood circulation in the body, increased joint mobility and flexibility, relieve muscle tension by stimulating natural endorphins within the body.

This can result in a significant improvement in overall well-being as it allows for better posture, enhanced energy levels and decreased fatigue. Regularly receiving Healing touch, massage therapy, and bodywork has even been shown to reduce the risk of developing certain chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Mentally speaking, healing touch, massage therapy, and bodywork provides a sense of clarity that can be very beneficial when dealing with issues like anxiety or depression. Receiving regular Healing touch, massage therapy, and bodywork sessions deepens existing relationships through trust and communication while allowing you an opportunity to unwind from whatever external stresses may be present in your life at any given moment.

Additionally being touched frequently through healing touch, massage therapy, and bodywork increases serotonin — a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood — which contributes greatly to feelings of emotional stability as well as overall wellbeing throughout your day-to-day life.

In summary, receiving regular Healing touch, massage therapy, and bodywork sessions is not only associated with several physical benefits but also numerous psychological ones too; allowing you an opportunity to unwind while benefiting your mind’s overall wellbeing!

Here is a Medium story you might enjoy @mike.sav.ms

Here is one I wrote a while back @LewisCoaches

Author: Lewis Harrison has been a practitioner and teacher of Massage, Healing Touch, and Bodywork, since 1968, He is a former vice-president of the NY Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. A public speaker, seminar leader, and bestselling author. He is also an Independent Scholar, with a passion for knowledge, personal development, self-improvement, healing techniques, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.

For a decade, Lewis was the host of a humor-based Q & A talk show on NPR (National Public Radio) affiliated WIOX FM in NY.