The Language of Touch

Long before we learned to speak we understood touch.

A newborn baby cannot recognise words or understand language but it immediately responds to the warmth of parents embrace. A gentle hand can calm fear, a reassuring pat in the shoulder can ease anxiety and a sime hug can communicate more than anything entire conversation. Touch is often called the first language of humanity because it is the first way we experience live and comfort and safety.

Our skin is the largest organ in the human body covering nearly every inch with million of sensory receptors. These tiny nerve endings constantly collect information about the world around us. Some detect pressure allowing us to feel the grip of a warm handshake or the softness of a blanket.

Others sense temperature warning us when something is too hot or too cold. Specialised receptors allow us to pain protecting is from injury before they become life threatening.

Pain may seem like an unpleasant sensation but it is one of body's greatest survival tools. Imagine accidentally placing your hands on a hot stove and feeling nothing. Without pain serious injuries could occure before you even realised something was wrong. People born with rate conditions that prevent them from feeling pain often experience repeated injury because their body cannot warm them of danger.


Touch however is far more than survival. Scientists have found that physical affection triggers the release of oxytocin often called love hormone. A hug from someone we trust can lower stress and reduce bool pressure and even improve our mood. Holding a loved ones hand during a difficult moment has been shown to reduce anxiety because our brains interpret safe touch as reassurance. It reminds us that we are not alone.

This is one reasons prolonged loneliness can be so difficult. While humas are capable of living independently we are not designed to live without meaningful connection. Safe and respectful physical affection plays an important role in emotional well being throughout our lives.

One of the most fascinating mystry involving touch is phenomenon knows as phantom kumb syndrome. Seom problem who have lost and arm or a leg continue to feel sensation ms as though the missing limb was still there. They may experience itching and warmth and pressure or even pain as a part of the body that no longer exists. Scientists beleive this happens because the brains map of the body remains active demonstrating that touch is not experienced solely through the skin. It is also created within the mind.