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“Touch” therapy…

In my continuing series on health, I wanted to share with you all some interesting things I have found out about “Touch” therapy and all of its uses.

I guess it was about 8 years ago or so when I read a report about a school in China who were doing revolutionary works with children who were born with partial, undeveloped, or practically no brains. They pioneered some therapies for these children that had amazing results.

You see our brain reads signals via our neuro connections. These neuro connectors send signals throughout the body. Things like pain, hunger, fear, fatigue, etc. . What the scientists figured out is that “touch” can be used to stimulate response in the brain therefore stimulate the neuro connectors and actually build new ones!

What that means in real terms is that these babies were able to grow parts of their brains back and develop what they had through physical stimulation! A regimen of exercise, and sensory stimulation was the key. They took needles (blunt ones - they weren’t torturing the kids here) and ran them along the bottoms of their feet and palms. They then did the same with feathers. They preformed calisthenics for the children working their muscles constantly. This has been proven to be helpful and effective in many cases of everything ranging from retardation to autism to neurological disorders in children.

Moving on from children, research has now shown that this same therapy can be applied to the elderly. Dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers, Parkinson’s sufferers and a whole range of related diseases. Stimulating the body, helps to rebuild those neuro connections that have become lost and damaged. It helps with memory, focus, and coordination.

Imagine if families who are challenged with first stage Dementia took an aggressive course in some of the natural therapies along with the pharmacological ones available? How much further would they be ahead?

Every serious doctor will tell you exercise, exercise, exercise. It creates positive chemical flow within the body and prevents many of the diseases of the elderly. Taking the time out for yourself for things like this is something you do not only for you, but for your loved ones. This has even been proven to help with depression, sleep, and well-being!

Typing is one of those skills that is extremely helpful for cognitive focus believe it or not. Playing the piano or other musical instruments is another one. Your brain must figure out which fingers to move quickly and without looking at the keys. Who ever knew that touch typing would help brain function?

Sex is another big factor. Yes, good old fashioned sex. People with active, healthy sex lives are far less likely to suffer from Dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Im guessing its for the same reasons. The neuro connector stimulation. It also helps lower stress, lower your risk of heart disease and stroke while we are at it. Especially in men.

One of the easy ways you can do the “touch therapy” for yourself is: Buy a dryer ball. You know those plastic balls with spikes on them? Roll them around in the palm of your hands. Put it under your foot and roll it back and forth. Really, you could do it as you sit looking at the computer reading blogs or other things of interest right? Take a pen with the cap on and run it along the palms of your hands. Make circles and shapes. If you are ticklish, you can rub your foot over a regular brush. Feel each bristle on the sole of your foot.

If you know children with ADD, or who are a little slow or suffer from retardation or any form of disability of the brain, its best to start with a physical routine as soon as you can. The quicker you begin, the bigger results as children’s brain growth happens so quickly when they are small. Even dyslexia. Its about readjusting the transmissions to the brain.

I hope you find this helpful.