This article discusses one of our basic senses that often gets overlooked in modern society, and that is the sense of touch. There are roughly 5 million touch sense receptors on the skin; there are 3000 on just one fingertip. Common sense would suggest there are more functions for these receptors than simply telling us when we are in pain. Touch is related to the security of a person and his interaction with society. Being touched is therapeutic in many ways and many conditions can be improved or cured by massage therapists who can reach deeper into tissue and make the body more aware of itself. Neurotransmitters known as endorphins are released when a person is touched. Endorphins and enkephalins increase the body's immune response. When deep-tissue massage is applied the body experiences increased serotonin levels that result in increased feelings of well-being and relief from depression. Those who are deprived of touch will suffer some sort of mental or physical ill effects.

Human beings get little deep satisfaction from the senses of hearing, sight, taste, and smell; they are largely temporary amusements and distractions. What people need is the loving touch of a mother when born, the kiss of a lover when grown, and the hugs of family and friends throughout life. Like the song says: "I'm just lookin' for some touch…" and this is something every human craves. It's not surprising that mental and physical degeneration can occur without this vital connection to other people. Some of the chronic effects can be reversed through massage therapy. By having the sense receptors stimulated by the hands of a skilled RMT the body's immune system can be strengthened because massage increases the cytotoxic function of white blood cells known as natural killer (NK) lymphocytes. This improves resistance to infection and autoimmune diseases.

In the early 1990's in Romania thousand of infants were placed in orphanages and left all alone in their cribs for two years without anyone to hold them or hug them. They were all found to be severely distressed and physically impaired. Many North American children born in the 1950's came into a society where breast-feeding was considered dirty and was replaced by a bottle and rubber tip. Basic mothering had been restrained due to the religious inhibitions of the decade. When these children grew up many became part of the hippie revolution where love was opened up to everybody and each person could find at least a few people to offer a caring touch. Unfortunately physical health wasn't the motivator or the objective. Young people of that generation had to come to terms with the lack of love shown them as they grew up in a plastic world of false values.

Health professionals have come to realize that relaxation massage can improve the health of the body. A healthy body can improve mental health and vice versa. The mysteriously named chemicals interacting throughout our system are responsible for things like behavior, decision making, energy levels, intelligence, and creativity. Cleansing the nervous system of stress and dead cells through massage therapy ensures better health and longevity. A powerful intangible energy called love can be felt by those sense receptors, whether it is a torrid romantic encounter for someone who has it all together or if it is a depressed and lonely person feeling a comforting hand on his shoulder.