The sense of touch is an important part of being a healthy, happy human being. But when someone is ill, touch can make the world of a difference.

If you are generally healthy, these treatments can be helpful. But for those who are frail, who have certain illnesses or who are receiving treatment for cancer, bodywork that involves deep pressure or manipulation, such as massage, shiatsu, acupressure or craniosacral therapy, may be uncomfortable and could even worsen their condition. It is therefore important to always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new type of treatment, including touch therapy.

There are, however, gentler forms of touch-based treatment, such as Reiki and touch therapy, which may provide a more comfortable alternative and may be used to complement existing medical treatments.

The benefits of touch

Although few studies have been completed on the benefits of Reiki and touch therapy, reports from practitioners, health care workers and patients suggest that these treatments may bring comfort by:

• Alleviating aloneness and creating a sense of connectedness.
• Relieving tension and helping with relaxation.
• Helping to relieve pain or to alter the perception of pain.
• Helping to manage stress.
• Bringing a sense of well-being.

Some people believe these therapies help to speed the healing process or strengthen the immune system in some patients.

How Reiki works

Reiki is related to traditional Japanese and Chinese medical theory and has been in use since the early 1900s. It is a non-invasive technique that does not involve pressure, manipulation or massage. The goal of Reiki is to re-establish the normal flow of energy in the body, which in turn helps promote better health and well-being.

In a Reiki treatment, you remain fully clothed while lying down on the treatment table. The practitioner places their hands gently on or just above your body in a series of positions, ranging from your head to toes that correspond to energy meridians. During the treatment, the practitioner’s hands remain stationary and do not move. There is no massaging, kneading or pressing involved, but the practitioner does allow his or her own energy to be drawn into the location on your body where it is needed.

A Reiki session usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. People who have tried Reiki report feeling sensations such as cold, pulsating heat or tingling, and then usually enter a calm, relaxed state.

Therapeutic touch: the basics

Two nurses, Dolores Krieger and Dora Kunz, developed therapeutic touch in the early 1970s. Their work is based on the techniques of a healer, which they interpreted for the nursing profession.

Like Reiki, therapeutic touch also involves the channeling of energy, but the practitioner places their hands about two to six inches above your body while you’re either sitting or lying down. After seeking energy that is out of balance, the therapist will then direct their own energy to the place where it is needed. They then may use sweeping motions, for example, to rebalance or clear blocked energy.

Therapeutic touch sessions typically last 10 to 20 minutes, with similar reports from patients of well-being and relaxation.

Find out more about touch therapy

Once on the fringes of health care, many healthcare providers are recognizing these forms of treatment as a valuable addition to traditional approaches to healing. Some nursing schools in Canada now teach therapeutic touch, and both Reiki and therapeutic touch are now offered at some hospitals and healthcare facilities to help improve the quality of life for patients who are coping with a serious illness or recovering from surgery.

Find support. Browse the We can find support section of this website to find organizations that offer touch therapies. Also checked with associations that are dedicated to particular conditions to see if they recommend touch therapy and therapists.