THERAPEUTIC TOUCH STIMULATES THE GROWTH OF HUMAN CELLS

Research assessed the effect of Therapeutic Touch (TT) on the proliferation of normal human cells in culture compared to sham (placebo) and no treatment. Several proliferation techniques were used to confirm the results, and the effect of multiple 10-minute TT treatments was studied.

The study investigated fibroblasts, tendon cells (tenocytes), and bone cells (osteoblasts) which were treated with TT, sham, or untreated for 2 weeks, and then assessed for proliferation factors. For 1 and 2 weeks, varying numbers of 10-minute TT treatments were administered to each cell type to determine whether there was a dose-dependent effect.

TT administered twice a week for 2 weeks significantly stimulated proliferation of fibroblasts, tenocytes, and osteoblasts in culture compared to untreated control. In the same experiments, sham healer treatment was not significantly different from the untreated cultures in any group, and was significantly less than TT treatment in fibroblast and tenocyte cultures.  With different doses of TT for 2 weeks, two 10-minute TT treatments per week significantly stimulated proliferation in all cell types. Osteoblasts also responded to four treatments per week with a significant increase in proliferation. Additional TT treatments (five per week for 2 weeks) were not effective in eliciting increased proliferation compared to control in any cell type.

The authors concluded that a specific pattern of TT treatment produced a significant increase in proliferation of fibro-blasts, osteoblasts, and tenocytes in culture. Therefore, TT may affect normal cells by stimulating cell proliferation.

Click Here To Read More At PubMed…

Super Healthy Tip...

You might ask why would they use a placebo group when testing cells in test tubes – this would be to differentiate the intent aspect of the TT versus just being close to cells. In other words if you hold your hand near to a test tube of cells will it produce cell division regardless of what the person with the hand is thinking.

One of the key features of TT is the thoughts, feelings and state of mind of the person administering the touch. Therefore this study does support the idea that this is a very important aspect of TT.

This is a very important reminder for those of us that practice in a health field that involves touch – make sure the touch is therapeutic and not just touch!

And for the average person, think about this when touching your family and friends – Are you thinking thoughts of goodwill and love while you touch your loved ones, or do you bear resentment, guilt, anger, fear or hatred? Either state of mind could be having diametrically opposed effects on the person you are touching.