{"id":86,"date":"2023-08-27T09:33:11","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T13:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mckayosteopathy.com\/blog\/?p=86"},"modified":"2023-09-08T00:51:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T04:51:04","slug":"the-art-of-touch-on-the-human-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mckayosteopathy.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/27\/the-art-of-touch-on-the-human-body\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Touch on the Human Body"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the sense of touch?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Finger touching surface of water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Touch is a unified sensation created by many specialized sensors working together in parallel. If you look at your skin, described by neuroscientists as a Social Organ, it\u2019s populated by millions of nerve endings that capture information from outside the body and then send it to the brain. Some nerves reach a specific part of the brain called the somatosensory cortex, also known as the discriminative system. This system gives us details of what we\u2019re touching and where.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to nerves reaching the somatosensory cortex, there are some nerves that travel to a completely different part of the brain called the posterior insular cortex. This area of the brain is part of our emotional system and is involved in our behavioral and emotional responses. Basically, what I want to say is that \u201cthere is no sensation without emotion\u201d, your skin is your external nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When do we start to feel touch?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A baby holding a parent’s hand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The sense of touch begins in the womb around the 8-week mark, and among the five senses (touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight), touch is the first to develop. Science has shown how it\u2019s not just a matter of time but also, it\u2019s a development priority; in fact, premature infants that are isolated in incubators exhibit a developmental delay, which is due to an inadequate or inappropriate sensory stimulation. But there\u2019s more, it\u2019s not just about biological development, touch deprivation in infants can lead to impaired growth and cognitive development, as well as an elevated incidence of serious infections and attachment disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is touch so important in our social life?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A picture of social touch in our lives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned at the beginning, some scientists have called the skin a \u201csocial organ.\u201d Intuitively, this makes sense: we both crave touch and are repulsed by it when it is unwanted, uninvited, or inappropriate. Even brief touches on a hand or arm can have tremendous effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human behaviours involving physical touch have much more in common with the social grooming activities we\u2019d typically associate with other species. When monkeys pick through their friends\u2019 fur, they\u2019re not just helping them remove dirt and parasites from hard-to-reach spots. There is undoubtedly a hygienic benefit, but this behaviour, which animal behaviour researchers call \u201callogrooming\u201d, has far greater significance. According to anthropologist Robin Dunbar, grooming stimulates the release of endorphins \u2013 opiates produced by the brain that trigger feelings of relaxation. This is accomplished by lowering the heart rate, reducing over-nervous behaviours like scratching, and even bringing on sleep. Touch reflects our culture; it regulates our social relationships and helps us communicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the meaning of touch in my daily practice?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A manual Osteopath working with a client.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Touch is the core of my clinical practice because it\u2019s a powerful form of communication. Hearing your story, getting a sense of what matters to you, and observing what is held in the tissues allow me to examine and trace where your body has been keeping the score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners are well known for their well-developed touch (palpation) and ability to assess, treat and monitor how the body has been adapting throughout your life. Thus, Osteopathic Treatment is based on the principles of body unity and the interrelationship between structure and function. This approach emphasizes the integration of the musculoskeletal system with the whole body, such as the visceral and craniosacral system, and the influences that the impaired function of each has on the other. Most Osteopathic Techniques aim to reduce tissue tension, help to improve motion, function, and flow of liquid and decrease neurological sensitization; the decision-making of which techniques to use is tailored to your needs to achieve better function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need more information? Have Questions? Get in touch!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have any questions regarding an Osteopathic Practitioners use of Touch<\/em> and how it may help you, click here<\/a>, or reach Stephanie at smckayscharfl@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteopathic Practitioners do not diagnose or practice medicine, nor do I attempt to treat disease. If you are concerned about any medical pathology and\/or disease, always consult your physician before exploring Osteopathic Manual Therapy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is the sense of touch? Touch is a unified sensation created by many specialized sensors working together in parallel. If you look at your skin, described by neuroscientists as a Social Organ, it\u2019s populated by millions of nerve endings that capture information from outside the body and then send it to the brain. Some nerves reach … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “The Art of Touch on the Human Body”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-manualosteopathy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t