Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: An Explanation, Functions, and Additional Insights
In the realm of alternative therapies, Therapeutic Touch Massage (TTM) and Healing Touch Therapy have been gaining attention as potential methods for pain relief, anxiety reduction, and overall well-being support. These energy-based touch therapies, established by Dolores Krieger, Ph.D., and Dora Kunz in 1979, are rooted in ancient healing philosophies that view the universe as a complex network of energy systems.
While general massage therapy has a solid scientific foundation for certain clinical benefits, the evidence specifically for TTM and Healing Touch Therapy remains limited and preliminary. These modalities, which often rely on subtle energy manipulation concepts, are less validated by mainstream scientific methodologies than physical massage techniques.
A 2022 study found a positive effect on the spiritual well-being and sleep quality of 73 people receiving palliative care in a hospital setting, following therapeutic touch. However, high-quality evidence to support the purported benefits of TTM is still lacking. A 2016 study compared the effects of healing touch and relaxation therapy on people undergoing stem cell transplants, concluding that participants tolerated healing touch better and had better mental well-being and shorter hospital stays.
The practice of TTM aims to restore the unity of body, mind, and spirit. A session may include several phases, such as centering, assessing, intervention, balancing or rebalancing, and evaluation or closure. It's important to note that TTM may or may not involve physical touch, and the recipient does not need to get undressed.
Despite the limited conclusive evidence, anecdotal reports suggest that TTM may reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, well-being, comfort, and healing. However, these benefits are not yet confirmed by large, high-quality studies. Ongoing research is being conducted to explore the potential benefits of TTM, including its effects on quality of life, immune health, and cancer treatment side effects.
It's crucial to approach TTM as a complementary therapy, not a replacement for evidence-backed treatments. The placebo effect may play a role in the better outcomes seen in participants who undergo healing touch or TTM therapies. Healing touch therapy presumes that all people are naturally healthy, with good health associated with a balanced energy field, and health issues linked to an imbalanced one.
The Nurse Healers-Professionals Associates were founded in 1979, marking the beginning of a journey to explore and validate these energy-based touch therapies. More rigorous trials are needed to definitively establish efficacy and mechanisms for TTM and Healing Touch Therapy. As research continues, we move closer to understanding the true potential of these alternative therapies.
- While general massage therapy has a robust scientific foundation, the evidence for other alternative therapies like Therapeutic Touch Massage (TTM) and Healing Touch Therapy is still preliminary and lacking high-quality evidence.
- Ongoing research is being conducted to explore the potential benefits of TTM, including its effects on quality of life, immune health, and cancer treatment side effects, as these alternative medicine modalities may offer complementary methods for improving health-and-wellness.
