ABSTRACT
Touching is one of the most natural human activities. We touch to comfort, to arouse, and to communicate. Systematic therapeutic uses of touch range from the extremely simple to the extraordinarily complex, from rubbing a bruise to releasing a lifetime accumulation of chronic tension. The importance of touch is usually underrated. In his book, Touching, Ashley Montagu cites considerable evidence for the therapeutic effectiveness of touch. Most of the touch-oriented systems of body work are based on a holistic approach to human functioning. If we assume that all mental and physical processes are parts of a single, interrelated system, it becomes obvious that any system of body work that significantly improves one aspect of physical functioning is also likely to have important benefits for general health improvement. Massage refers to ways of kneading or rubbing various parts of the body, usually with the hands, in order to stimulate circulation, relieve muscle tension, and enhance joint flexibility.
