The Healing Embrace: The Profound Impact of Human Touch – Article Review


Authors : Lamnunnem Haokip

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 7 - July


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/54jpbc5f

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/dsf2xr3s

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jul1057

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Abstract : Human Healing Touch is a technique that utilizes intentional, loving physical touch to enhance emotional and physiological well-being. It is a complementary therapy. Touch as an Intimation of Caring, Connecting, and Safety, it has always been a means to lower the height of stress, anxiety, emotional meltdown, and even physical pain. Touch influences the parasympathetic nervous system that instigates rest; it calms the body and releases oxytocin, the hormone responsible for the perception of comfort and trust. This gentle, non-invasive approach is helpful in nursing and personal care, particularly in fields where vital strength can be low and patients draw strength from the most challenging of times, such as when they are sick, traumatized, or lonely, because of collateral suffering. It provides the caregivers, as well as the patients, a touch of presence and emotional support. It is used within palliative, mental health nursing, and post-operative rehabilitation to help regain emotional homeostasis. Human Healing Touch is a simple yet effective technique that blends compassion and caring to enable people to overcome their emotional breakdown through healing. It was long held in the annals of history that the human touch is a powerful technique of healing and comforting. The physiological and psychological effects of contact have been the subject of increasing research over the last few years, and the role of touch as a facilitator of overall health and well-being has been acknowledged. From physiological and neurological perspectives, this paper explores the mechanics of human touch and the evolution of body-based therapies. It concludes by considering the potential effects of touch deprivation on children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords : Human Healing Touch, Emotional Breakdown.

References :

  1. https://transpersonal-psychology.iresearchnet.com/mind-body-integration/the-role-of-physical-touch-in-emotional-healing/
  2. Gleeson, M., Timmins, F., 2004. The use of touch to enhance nursing care of older person in long‐term mental health care facilities. Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs 11, 541–545. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2004.00757.x
  3. Durkin, J., Jackson, D., Usher, K., 2021. The expression and receipt of compassion through touch in a health setting; a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 77, 1980–1991. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14766
  4. Eckstein, M., Mamaev, I., Ditzen, B., Sailer, U., 2020. Calming Effects of Touch in Human, Animal, and Robotic Interaction—Scientific State-of-the-Art and Technical Advances. Front. Psychiatry 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.555058
  5. Packheiser, J., Hartmann, H., Fredriksen, K., Gazzola, V., Keysers, C., Michon, F., 2024. A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions. Nature Human Behaviour 8, 1088–1107. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01841-8
  6. Morrison, I., 2023. Touching to connect, explore, and explain: how the human brain makes social touch meaningful. The Senses and Society 18, 92–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/17458927.2023.2200065
  7. La Rosa, V.L., Geraci, A., Iacono, A., Commodari, E., 2024. Affective Touch in Preterm Infant Development: Neurobiological Mechanisms and Implications for Child–Caregiver Attachment and Neonatal Care. Children 11, 1407. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111407
  8. Lin, Y.-S., Bsn, Msn, Taylor, A.G., Faan, 1998. Effects of Therapeutic Touch in Reducing Pain and Anxiety in an Elderly Population. Integrative Medicine 1, 155–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1096-2190(98)00036-5
  9. https://aist-victories.org/unlocking-emotional-well-being-through-the-healing-power-of-touch
  10. https://www.ourmental.health/mind-body-connection/how-touch-boosts-emotional-well-being-essential-for-mental-health
  11. Jakubiak, B. K., & Feeney, B. C. (2017). Affectionate touch to promote relational, psychological, and physical well-being in adulthood: A theoretical model and review of the research. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 21(3), 228-252.
  12. Ellingsen, D. M., Leknes, S., Løseth, G., Wessberg, J., & Olausson, H. (2016). The neurobiology shaping affective touch: Expectation, motivation, and meaning in the multisensory context. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1986.
  13. von Mohr, M., Kirsch, L.P., Fotopoulou, A., 2021. Social touch deprivation during COVID-19: effects on psychological wellbeing and craving interpersonal touch. R Soc Open Sci 8, 210287. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.210287
  14. Cascio, C. J., Moore, D., & McGlone, F. (2019). Social touch and human development. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 35, 5-11.

Human Healing Touch is a technique that utilizes intentional, loving physical touch to enhance emotional and physiological well-being. It is a complementary therapy. Touch as an Intimation of Caring, Connecting, and Safety, it has always been a means to lower the height of stress, anxiety, emotional meltdown, and even physical pain. Touch influences the parasympathetic nervous system that instigates rest; it calms the body and releases oxytocin, the hormone responsible for the perception of comfort and trust. This gentle, non-invasive approach is helpful in nursing and personal care, particularly in fields where vital strength can be low and patients draw strength from the most challenging of times, such as when they are sick, traumatized, or lonely, because of collateral suffering. It provides the caregivers, as well as the patients, a touch of presence and emotional support. It is used within palliative, mental health nursing, and post-operative rehabilitation to help regain emotional homeostasis. Human Healing Touch is a simple yet effective technique that blends compassion and caring to enable people to overcome their emotional breakdown through healing. It was long held in the annals of history that the human touch is a powerful technique of healing and comforting. The physiological and psychological effects of contact have been the subject of increasing research over the last few years, and the role of touch as a facilitator of overall health and well-being has been acknowledged. From physiological and neurological perspectives, this paper explores the mechanics of human touch and the evolution of body-based therapies. It concludes by considering the potential effects of touch deprivation on children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords : Human Healing Touch, Emotional Breakdown.

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

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