“Numberless are the world's wonders, but none more wonderful than man.”

— Sophocles, "Antigone”

That is quite a statement from Sophocles, although the word “wondrous” would have been my choice. While “wonderful” means excellent, great, and marvelous, “wondrous” means to be marveled at. Going deeper, the word “marveled” means to be filled with surprise, wonder, or amazed curiosity. That to me is a better description of us as human beings, and a great example is the wondrous physical and emotional effect of human touch. (However, since Sophocles is believed to have died in 405-406 BC and the word “wondrous” didn’t show up in use until 1490-1500 AD, I think that I will give Sophocles some grace on that one.)

What prompted my comment about this wonderful and wondrous quote was a personal experience that I had recently.

DON’T TOUCH ME

I was recently on vacation, visiting my brother and his large (10 grandchildren) family in California. While there, I rode along with him to the local (not so local in farm country where he lives) Walmart to get a new charger for his cell phone. The one he wanted was locked in a case, so I went to find someone to help.

Just as the young assistant and I returned, my brother received a business call that he needed to take. I then reached out to place my hand on the young lady’s shoulder and say that he would be with us in just a minute. However, as I raised my hand toward her, she immediately said, “Don’t touch me!” I have to say that I was taken aback a little, and for me that is unusual.

Of course, I complied. We got the charger and exited the building.

The experience really got me thinking. What was the reason for her response? There were quite a few possible scenarios to consider, ones that may have been the impetus for her reflexive comment.

REASONS WHY WE REJECT TOUCH

Perhaps it was a company policy to not allow customers to touch an employee. Maybe she was just having a bad day. Perhaps she had gone through some type of negative physical experience with someone. Sexual or physical traumatic episodes can certainly leave lasting stress (PTSD) that might spark such an immediate response.  In many social situations today, that is unfortunately all too common.

Maybe she was unable to distinguish between what her parents taught her to be aware of: “good touch and bad touch.”

As a chiropractor, physical touch is what I do. Beyond my palpation techniques to assess a patient, touch is part of how I communicate. For example, every man who enters my treatment room is met with a handshake. Ladies are usually met with a hand on the shoulder or upper back. These are techniques we use as humans to communicate with each other.

When someone is touched, the intent of the touch is likely discerned immediately.  Most people can innately sense that intent. My intent when I touch a patient is to calm, reduce anxiety, or diagnose a condition. On the other hand, if the intent is not to benefit the “touchee,” it is pretty apparent right away.

It is also possible that, like many people, the Walmart assistant continues to bear lasting psychosocial scars from the social isolation that we all experienced during the “COVID lockdowns,” the manifestations of which people still exhibit, years later. I fear the benefits of touch may be something that is being lost on many younger folks who, in my opinion, may have been permanently damaged and scarred socially by what was done to them during the isolation period of COVID. Remember: no hand shaking, only “elbow taps” were allowed, masks (which hid facial expressions) were to be used at all times, and “social distancing” was the norm. We were to walk one way in grocery stores; heaven forbid if you were to go the wrong way. These mandates all appear now to have caused harmful, lasting effects.

While I could think of many valid reasons for this immediate reaction from this young lady, I will never know the answer for sure.

WHY TOUCH MATTERS

We are likely becoming less communicative through touch. Coincidentally, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University recently demonstrated just how important touch can be to our overall health and wellness.

In their research study, 400 otherwise-healthy volunteers were exposed to the common cold virus. The variable that was tracked both before and during the study was whether or not the participants were hugged each day. They wanted to determine if the act of being hugged regularly would bolster immune function.

The hypothesis was that “stress-induced illnesses” could be reduced by social support mechanisms that include physical touch. Previous studies had already indicated that hugs of the right frequency and duration can support immune function and improve heart health and, in many instances, heal emotional damage.

The study team exposed all participants to the virus for 14 consecutive days. They were then asked about daily conflicts, social interactions, and whether anyone hugged them that day.

The findings bore out the belief that hugging improved immune function. Those participants who were hugged most days were 60% less likely to become infected than those who were rarely hugged. Amazingly, even those who were hugged regularly who did become ill had a stronger immune response and recovered more quickly than those who were not hugged as frequently.

These findings indicate that physical contact–specifically hugging—has a strong effect in defending us against stress-related illnesses and bolsters our immune response when we do become sick.

So, how does this all happen, and what are the physiological events that occur to make it all happen? Well, one of the first things that happens with touch is that superficial nerves called C-tactile afferent nerves are stimulated. These are called the “cuddle nerves.” These nerves send impulses to the brain’s center for emotional processing. They also release natural painkillers (the body’s “natural opioids”) which immediately reduce pain.

Did you ever wonder why when you hit your leg against something, your immediate response is to rub the area? What you are doing is stimulating these superficial C-fibers (nerves) just under the skin, giving yourself an immediate boost of these naturally produced painkillers. Isn’t it amazing how the body works and how a “built-in reflex” to immediately rub an injured area can reduce our pain?

Other hormones that are released with a hug include oxytocin (a.k.a. the “love hormone”) and dopamine, which is associated with pleasure. Serotonin is also secreted when we hug, and this hormone supports the feeling of happiness.

As I noted, the researchers studied the duration of the hugs and the associated effects. They found that not only was a one-second hug unsatisfying, it had little benefit regarding everything that I just outlined. However, a five- to ten-second hug appeared to be the optimal timeframe for a hug. This would be for a platonic hug; just a friendly embrace. As far as an intimate relationship hug, twenty-second hugs produced the greatest effect.

MY ADVICE

Hugging used to be a common greeting method and still should be. It conveys non-verbally your appreciation and gratitude for another person. It also can be a nonverbal method of saying I love (small “l”) you, I missed you, and I am happy to see you.

So, get out there and hug the ones that you love, or Love (remember, different durations for those two hugs), as well as those you have missed, appreciate, and are grateful for.

Next month I will bring you more information on this topic and how it may also benefit those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Pfeiffer