Healing of mind by body contact / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

In this lecture, about the relationship between mind and skin, was introduced on the basis of research of psychology and physiology. It pointed out that both the brain and the skin differentiated from ectoderm, and the skin is also an information processing organ, and that the effects of the skin sense on the mind. In the vibration generated by stroking the skin, the characteristics of 1/f fluctuation is generated on the skin, and it increases a feeling of comfort.<BR>By touching the skin, the physiological substance called oxytocin is secreted in the brain, and it will help to build an intimate relationship with others. From the point of healing, there are two important points on touching;moving the hand in a slow speed, and touching one's skin with a weak pressure. The former was caused by the firing of C tactile fibers, the latter was caused by the parasympathetic nervous system. It is considered that by way of touch with these features, a person can get a maximum of both healing and the feelings of pleasure. <BR>Finally, it pointed out that the importance of viewing the skin from both an input and an output. Touching the skin is not only imputing of the stimulus, but also catching the signals of the insides of the body such as internal organs and the mind. So it is important as a point of view of touching the skin as an output organ.