The importance of touch

Touch is the most important sense we humans have. It is essential to our well-being and health, our perception of ourselves and our growth. Without touch we would wither away and in extreme cases even die.

In the 13th century Frederic II carried out an experiment to see how children would develop language when denied human contact. They were fed and washed, but all died. A monk of the time documented the experiment and wrote "...for the children could not live without clappings of the hands, and gestures, and gladness of countenance, and blandishments." This experiment clearly shows how important touch and closeness are to humans.

Studies show that touching releases a hormone named oxytocin into our system, which is one of the hormones that makes people feel good and happy and lowers blood pressure and reduces the level of stress. The hormone can also affects many other things, from how we heal to how we feel about other people.

The skin is our largest organ and touch is our most important senses. Mothers naturally cradle infants, while small children automatically seek out hugs and closeness when they are scared or hurt. Lovers touch each other at every chance they get, and friends share close touch to communicate their support and love.

Studies performed by the Touch Research Institute show clear benefits from touch both physically and mentally. Physically touch and massage can help with a long list of conditions; stress, blood pressure, side effects from cancer treatments, migraines, pain management, pregnancies and more. Massage and touch can also help with anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, behavioural problems in children, PMS, sexual abuse, sleep, smoking and much more.

Touch is not only important for our well-being and health due to the chemical changes in our system, but is also an effective method of communication. Studies show that emotion can be conveyed precisely via touch, and that touch might convey even more positive emotions than the face.

The Touch Research Institute in Miami, FL, has conducted extensive research in the field. Touch and massage has great health benefits and is essential to our well-being, health and emotional development. This again stresses the importance of close physical contact with other people and especially our children.

There are even signs indicating that the lack of touch and connection with other people might be the base cause for emotional disturbances, such as depression, hyperactivity, aggression, violence and even abuse of stimuli such as cigarettes, alcohol, food, shopping and so on. The theory is that the lack of sensory stimulation from touch and physical closeness leads people to seek sensory stimuli by other means.

There is no doubt that touch is essential to us as human beings, both to give touch and to receive touch. And now studies finally clearly confirm that touch not only affects our mood and love for other people, but also has direct health benefits and is a holistic method of supportive healing which works on all levels. Touch in itself is not directly healing, but a gentle loving touch will help the body heal itself and support the emotional state of the person.

Touch is indeed a deep and profound form of communication. A communication that helps the body heal itself and deal with stresses and imbalances. Don't forget to touch someone today.

Further reading:
http://www.eons.com/body/feature/mindspirit/the-importance-of-touch/17345
http://library.adoption.com/Parenting-Skills/The-Importance-of-Touch/article/3060/1.html
http://www.unilever.ca/ourbrands/beautyandstyle/Morearticles/Science_of_touch.asp
http://www.chisuk.org.uk/articles/result.php?key=63
http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/ - The Touch Research Institute

Hot Stone Massage

Hot Stone Massage is becoming an increasingly popular massage form, which more and more spas and beauty salons offer. In its essence it is a massage therapy that uses heated basalt stones as a means to warm the muscles and massaging them. It is an ancient therapy form which was made popular when the massage therapist Mary Nelson introduced a massage technique called "La Stone Therapy".

Hot Stone Massage is not just a gliding of stones around on the body, but a precise therapy form which aims at connecting mind, body and soul into one unit. The hot stones are precisely placed upon the body to heat and relax the muscles. The warm stones are also used as a tool to massage the muscles in depth, like a normal massage therapy would.

The heat of the stones effectively helps the muscles relax, and the technique is gentle on the massage therapist's joints, which allows for longer and deeper massages. The massage style is based in old shamanistic traditions, and like the lomi lomi massage, it can become a whole ritual in itself, with energy work, meditation and self exploration.

La Stone Therapy was created by combining the old native healing method with modern knowledge and massage therapy, and is now approved by the US health authorities as a valid massage therapy along side Swedish Massage, Sports Massage and so on.

Most Hot Stone Massage you'll find in France will only employ heated basalt stones. The La Stone Therapy also uses cooled stones and the combination of heat and cold adds a whole new dimension to the treatment. It becomes an art performance.

Further reading:
http://hotstone.charlia.com/ - a quick guide
http://lastonetherapy.com/ - the official La Stone Therapy site

Massage and the sexual aspect

Nudity and intimate touch are in many places considered sexual. As a consequence massage is often associated with sex which poses a large problem for those giving professional non-erotic massages. In some countries regulations and laws have been passed to ensure the separation. Unfortunately there are still many countries where there is no official regulation, and for the costumers it can be hard to see what an advertisement for massage truly covers.

These problems exist for both the client and the massage therapist. As a customer it is hard to see through the jungle of massage types and special offers. They risk at worst to get masseuse who doesn't know what she is doing, and at best get a rather embarrassing experience.

In France there are no official regulations, and anybody can claim they do "massage de relaxation". This in essence means that on the yellow pages both sex-workers and massage therapists are listed under the same category and a client can't tell which he is calling when he wants to book a massage.

This especially proves a problem when they look at the individual massage therapists who work from their homes and offer massages at the workspace or at the client's home. The problem is less when it is spas and hammams, though also here the name of a place can be misleading and cover up for sex-work.

For a massage therapist there is another range of issues. Being listed as giving "massage de relaxation" in the yellow pages brings many unwanted calls from people wanting erotic and sexual massages. It gets even worse should the massage therapist place an add in a local paper, this in spite of it being under the strictly non-sexual section. The phonecalls come in none the less, and at times even late at night.

There are some things that can be done to prevent this. Using a landline phone instead of a cell phone will sort some unwanted calls. Not advertising in local papers, Craiglist and other free forums is another way to avoid unwanted calls.

It does make it hard for a new massage therapist to establish herself. If she wants to avoid the risk of sex calls and clients wanting more than she can offer, she can't advertise in the normal media and has to rely on word-of-mouth to establish her business. This will typically take a couple of years and many gives up before they reach that stage.

Many of those problems are dealt with in countries/states where there are regulations. In the US for instance there are laws prohibiting nudity during a massage and/or insisting on draping. In other countries it's illegal to advertise for massage if you are a sex-worker. Some places have high requirements to become a massage therapist and it is an official recognized education. For instance in Canada you have a state where you need 3000 hours of school to call yourself a massage therapist. In these places massage therapists are registered and must pass tests to get the registration. They also have separate listings in the yellow pages and can't be confused with sex-workers.

In the unregulated areas there are usually non-profit organisations who work towards regulations and official recognition of massage therapy and massage as a non-sexual form of relaxation. Members of these organisations have to live up to certain requirements and adhere to codes of conduct. They are trying to ensure certain standards within the business and provide clients with useful information on what can be expected when they get a massage from a massage therapist.

In France the FFMBE is working towards official regulations and requirements for massage therapists, as described in an earlier article.

What to expect from a Massage Créatif

A Massage Créatif is a full body massage, which combines soft strokes with deep massage, as well as stimulates pressure points, employ stretching and massage of the hands, feet and head. The entire body will be massaged during the hour or one and a half hour a massage lasts.

You will come out from the massage feeling relaxed and calm. Tensions have been eased, worries lessened. You will feel lighter, as if a weight has been taken from your shoulders. Your skin will feel soft and be nourished by the oil used for the massage and your system will be busy flushing out the toxins released by the treatment.

First you will be welcomed to a warm room with candles lit and nice scents. A sheet covers the massage table and towels are arranged for your comfort. I will leave the room while you undress and lay yourself on the table. You can be keep your underwear on or be nude as you are most comfortable with. I will wash my hands and mentally prepare myself for the massage. As I enter the room I will inquire if there is anything I need to know about your massage or if you have any pains and problems I must be aware of.

Once you lie comfortably on the table with your face down, I will turn on the music and ask you to just relax and let go for the next hour (or one and a half). I will warm my hands and place them upon your feet with a firm assuring pressure. Then your ankles, calves, thighs, buttocks, back, shoulders, arms and hands. These are slow deliberate firm placements upon your body to build a connection between us and to prepare you for the massage. I will by this first contact get the first hints and clues as to where your body need treatment and care.

Next I will apply the massage oil to my hands. It is fragrant and contains essential oils which will enhance your massage. Perhaps lavender for physical and mental relaxation, perhaps ylang ylang for trust, perhaps geranium for balance and so on. Each oil has special properties and I will chose one of my blends which I sense will benefit you.

A quick brush from heels to back and the oil is applied upon the back with hands and forearms. You would almost think the massage is starting now, but it is merely your back receiving a good oiling. Oil will be applied to your arms as well and then it will be time to treat both your legs. Attending one at a time as you get a clear idea of what to expect from the massage.

Finally the massage itself starts. First one leg will be treated, from heel to buttocks, soft and gentle, deep and thorough, stretching and loosening, all as is needed. Then onto the other leg and the same treatment. Next it is your back's turn. Working from one side, then the other, all of the back is massaged. Eventually I will stand by your head and massage your shoulders. All the sore spots and tensions which have built will be treated and eased, making you feel as a weight has lifted from your shoulders.

A long glide of my hands over your body, starting at the head and exiting by the feet, then I will gently ask you to turn over. Again oil is applied to your body, the arms first, then stomach and chest and finally the legs. Again preparing you for the massage and helping me know where the tensions are hidden.

I will start the second half of the massage by gently massaging your stomach. Soft circular movements which become stronger and stronger. The sides will be stretched as well before I massage the muscles on the chest and stretch the back.

Next comes the neck and head. Stretches to relax the muscles, pressure point stimulation and finally a scalp or face massage depending on your wishes. Often I have experienced people completely relax at this stage and even fall asleep.

Then onward to the arms and hands, one at a time and finally the legs. Sometimes I will turn a person on to the side to stretch the back muscles from another angle, or lift the legs to work in depth on the muscle or stretch them.

During the entire massage I will use my hands, fingers, arms and even elbows and knuckles to give you the best massage possible. The massage is a mix of classical deep massage, soft caressing massage, Shiatsu inspired stretches and pressure points, reflexology as well as some energy work and inspiration from other massage styles.

To complete the massage I will massage the entire body with long soft strokes ending by the feet and finally cover you with a warm towel. I will quietly exit the room while you slowly come back. Once I have washed my hands, I will bring you a glass of refreshing water and ask how you feel. Depending on you, I will stay or leave while you get up and get dressed again.

Once you are out of the room I will offer you more water to drink and tell you that it is important that you drink a lot of water to wash out the toxins which have been released in your body. We will chat if you desire. I often find that people want to be quiet and not talk while they prepare themselves to leave. Upon occasion some have the need to talk about their experience and I will happily make a cup of tea and sit down to listen to you. You are more than welcome to contact me later to talk about the massage if you want.

With a smile upon their face most people leave, ready to face the challenges of the day and week again.

Fédération Française de Massages-Bien-Être

The FFMBE - Fédération Française de Massages-Bien-Être - is an organisation for massage therapists in France. They set up rules and regulations in order to heighten the quality of massages and to separate proper massages from erotic massages. Their members can call themselves "Praticien(ne) de Massage bien-être" which is a protected title.

There are no formal regulations on wellness massages in France. The only medical massages can be performed by "kinésithérapeutes" or osteopaths, which are under the public education system. They are covered by the health insurance and prescribed by normal doctor. Non medical massage must have the label "massage de relaxation" to distinguish it from the medical therapeutic massages. As such, the profession massage therapist doesn't exist in France as it is known from the USA or other places.

Practitioners of "Massage de relaxation" are not allowed to claim they heal or can address medical problems, but is solely for wellness, relaxation and de-stressing purposes. It is not a medical treatment. There is no public, state funded or supported educations for wellness massage in France either. Unfortunately all this makes it hard to distinguish a wellness massage from an erotic massage.

To deal with these problems and to bring quality to the massages performed, as well as security for the clients the organisation FFMBE was created. It is a private organisation created and run by wellness massage therapists. The organisation also have the political goal of making wellness massage into state regulated and approved profession.

In order to be a member the masseuse must have graduated from an approved school and have had minimum 200 hours of classes. Members also sign to adhere to specific standards and ethical rules of conduct and performance. Some of these obligations include: Proper hygiene and appearance, to direct a client to a doctor/kiné if there is suspicion of any medical problems, to respect the client, not to discriminate and others. Also, members are forbidden to use drugs, to be influenced by alcohol while giving a massage, give any form for erotic or sexual massage and others.

To be a member of the FFMBE is a stamp of quality in the massage, as well as an insurance that the masseur is a professional and not a sex-worker in disguise.