Touch is vital to human psychological and physical development. It is so crucial that we cannot survive without it, much less thrive. Studies and valuable information related to touch have been recorded throughout human history. Extensive research on the efficacy of touch is available through the Touch Research Institute (TRI), an organization which is part of the University of Miami Medical Center. One interesting study by TRI evaluated pre-mature babies who were incubated; one baby received delicate massage through the glass each day and the other babies received none.1 The baby who received massage developed 25-50% better than other babies. TRI research has included studies on conditions such as depression in adolescent work related anxiety. Administering consistent massage treatments in both populations produced very positive results.2

We see in different cultures, how mothers carry their children in pouches on their chests so closely that the baby can hear and feel the mother's heartbeat all throughout the day. This profound connection to another provides a sense of psychological and physical well-being which sets the foundation of trust in infants that shapes the rest of their life and informs all future relationships.

Historical timelines of touch go as far back as 15,000 BC. Ancient cave paintings (shown) depict early humans touching and using what are known as “hand curatives” to help heal one another. Touching and curing was once celebrated and not admonished as it later became due to the influence of puritanical thinking. Cultural confusion came into play as the line blurred between touch to help heal and sensual or sexual touch. In Massage Therapy, we carefully identify these contrasts and, through very professional training, clearly delineate the difference in our application of touch. Therapeutic touch is pleasurable because the receptors in human skin are designed to feel pleasure (as well as pain for protection) and touch can simply feel good; however, it is NEVER sexualized in Therapeutic Massage. It is important to discuss with clients and consumers as well, the differences in the types of touch in order to break these stereotypes about Massage Therapy.

I have kept an anonymous quote with me for 25 years which says, “Touch Heals by Bridging the Loneliness of Being Human”. I love that quote, because we all do feel a sense of loneliness at times and can feel quite isolated, especially in such an independent society. A hug, a loving caress, a handshake or a real massage can do wonders for us in reconnecting with each other. Since ancient times we have danced, made music, touched to help heal and walked on this earth together. If we allow ourselves to slow down long enough, we might rediscover what a student of mine said, “it is amazing what our bodies need from each another”.

Deborah Heartwood is the Program Director for the Massage Therapy Learning Center in Pismo Beach in conjunction with Lucia Mar Adult Education

1 Field, T., Massage Therapy for Infants and Children (1995)
2 Field, T., Morrow, C., Valdeon, C., Larson, S., Kuhn, C. & Schanberg, S. (1992) Anxiety/Depression Shulman, K.R. & Jones, G.E. (1996), S., Kuhn, C. & Schanberg, S. (1992) Anxiety/Depression

Many women who birth outside of a hospital setting are changed by that experience for the rest of their lives. It begins in pregnancy as they educate themselves about the choices they are making surrounding birth. In discussions with their midwife, a subtle paradigm shift happens which puts the pregnant woman in charge. A good midwife guides them to see that they need to look beyond what the medical institutions have presented as ‘truth’, and find their own. During a natural, unmedicated, and uninduced birth a woman must listen to her own rhythms of contraction and expansion and learn to work in harmony with them. She taps into a power within herself that until now has been hidden from her. It is an awe-inspiring power that deeply connects the woman to generations of women from the past and the future. From that time on, she knows this power lies within her and she can rely on it. The confidence this brings helps her to look at the world with new eyes. She may make new choices, such as deciding to have her baby sleep in bed with her and her partner even though her best friend says it is dangerous. She may simply feel more able to stick with a choice she already made, such as breastfeeding, even though the first several weeks are rough going.
So how does this help the earth? Well, first there are her choices surrounding parenting in the first weeks and months of her baby’s life, such as sleeping with the baby. Co-sleeping means no trees were cut down to build a cradle or toxic chemicals used to build a crib. On top of that, no fuel was spent to ship it to a store and then get it to your home. No energy was used to run the factory or store. No lights were used at home while putting the crib together.
Breastfeeding, though natural, can be challenging at first. Midwives traditionally promote breastfeeding and are an ongoing resource for nursing education and support. The impacts it can make on our environment are varied. First, it requires no excess packaging, processing, or shipping. There are no bottles to buy, transport, wash, and eventually throw away. This is a huge energy savings, plus there is no damage to our environment from the making and disposal of plastics or glass. Because breastmilk is nutritionally superior to formula, it grows stronger, healthier people who are less likely to need pharmaceuticals or mercury-laden fillings. The fats contained within breastmilk spur more brain growth than formula. We need smarter kids to help us out of the environmental dilemma we are in. On top of all that, exclusive breast-feeding prevents more births than all other forms of contraception combined, which helps slow our ever-climbing population explosion.
Empowered birth creates an empowered woman who has confidence in her physical and psychological abilities. A woman who knows she is capable and has the strength to follow through on those out-of-the-norm decisions, such as cloth diapering. Let’s face it: cloth diapering is a bit more work than disposables, but the small amount of effort required is easy compared to filling up our landfills.
Home birth creates a mother who listens to her own innate intuition. She can listen to herself as a guide instead of relying on ‘authorities’. She will make her own best choices for the survival of her children, even if that means making different choices than mainstream America. She might decide not to fill a prescription for antibiotics which end up in our water supply and create super bugs, and instead rely on rest and mommy love to get her baby through a cold.
Then there are the less obvious connections. A positive birth experience imparts to the couple’s confidence in parenting. It creates a solid foundation and unites them in their parenting journey. Midwives often encourage the couple to explore the components of Attachment Parenting, such as baby wearing, responsive parenting, and immediate bonding after birth. This style of parenting creates confident kids with a different world outlook. They tend to think about what the group needs, instead of feeling that they’re better looking out for themselves because no one else will.  
Who knows where a woman’s new-found sense of accomplishment will take her? Perhaps she will decide to roll up her sleeves and plant an organic garden, saving her kids from pesticides and lessening the world’s fuel consumption, or decide to take on the local water board when she finds out there are unsafe levels of chemicals in the tap water her family drinks. Maybe she will confront her local school board on buying more local organic fruits and vegetables for the lunch program. Perhaps she will start her own recycled kids’ clothing store, or get active with her local Earth Day committee. Perhaps she will sponsor a local kids’ sustainable community garden. These are just a few of the things I have seen local mothers do. The power and energy a positive out-of-hospital birth unleashes is tremendous. The possible choices of what to do with that power are endless. The positive effects that might bring for our planet are immeasurable. As a doula, one thing I have learned is to never underestimate the power of a mother!
Jennifer Stover is a local Doula and has been a Birth Educator for 20 years.
www.slolaboroflovedoula.blogspot.com