Just a touch away: CT-optimal touch perception and its influence on pain and itch

[Esperanto]

Psychologist Larissa Meijer has discovered that gentle caresses from a partner can provide relief from chronic pain. This treatment has no side effects and can be done at home. It should normally be free too 🙂 Meijer has demonstrated the effect of light stroking on pain and itchiness in Parkinson's patients. She concludes that light stroking activates the CT nerve system and reduces pain signals. The effect remains present even when stroking other body parts. Affective touch inhibits pain signals in the brain and spinal cord. Touch is a basic human need and can reduce psychological symptoms. Although affective touch is not currently used as a treatment, it can help reduce pain and improve quality of life.

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[Lizzy9]

Hello Esperanto ~ Very interesting. I am the caregiver of my husband with PD. We have discovered that Light Stroking/Touch can calm him. He cannot even explain how it makes him feel, I guess maybe it relieves him of the horrible way PD makes him feel.

I have discovered when his tremor is VERY bad in his left foot/leg if I gently and slowly move his foot in circles, left to right, up and down we can get it calmed down. Then I can continue to Lightly Stroke his leg and foot.

PD is such a strange and complicated, complex and confusing disease.

I appreciate everyone’s sharing on this site!

Have a fabulous day!!!

[NextStage]

Twenty-six years ago, my birthing class teacher taught that if there are both pain signals and pleasure signals coming from the body, then the brain choses to pay attention to the pleasure signals. This was very useful during labor, and now again with Parkinson's.

[gomelgo]

of course!!! I've been going to cuddle parties every month here in nyc, and there was none last month and I can feel the difference! We all need reassuring touch daily. I may become a cuddle party facilitator if I can get my stuff together to focus on the course work. Then I can take the cuddle wherever I go.

[gomelgo in reply to gomelgo]

Also there are cuddlists you can hire(!)

[Gymsack]

People who have animals, dogs, cats, horses, know that a slow brushing of their hair and soft words and a scratch behind the ears or pat will calm a stressed animal and allow them to then purr or breath slowly and sleep. Why would it not also work on humans one of the most anxious and also social animals on the planet . Nurses have known and been taught this for many years, just placing their hand on your shoulder in the middle of the operation is calming and says you are not alone, I am here.