Wondering How to Lower Your Blood Pressure?
Before we dive into how physical touch can lower blood pressure, here’s something to ponder on:
“Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language, and the last, and it always tells the truth.” -Margaret Atwood
The Human Touch
The human touch plays a crucial role in generating and enhancing love. In addition, you feel more satisfied in a relationship in which physical affection is a significant part.
Therefore, with the current status of our culture being that we are surrounded by screen time: phone, computer, television, etc., we watch, see and hear more about others experiencing touch. But, we’re not actually receiving physical touch ourselves.
Ask yourself, when is the last time you’ve experienced the power of touch? Did you know we offer massages at Catalyst PT & Wellness? Yes, you can book a massage for yourself, or buy a massage gift card for your partner, friend or family member.
How Physical Touch Lowers Your Blood Pressure
Touch has incredible positive influences over our physiology. In a study conducted by Gallace and Spence (2010), individuals who received pre-stress partner contact demonstrated significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increased heart rates than the no-contact group.
Also reporting, non-sexual physical affection involving tactile stimulation, such as back-rubs, hugs, even holding hands brings can lower blood pressure for both partners.
Give More Hugs to Your Partner
Women who report having received more hugs from their partners in the past have been shown to have significantly lower blood pressure levels than those women who do not have much history of being hugged by their partners.
Dr. Gary Brown, an individual counselor, and family and marriage counselor in Los Angeles, noticed that much of what he sees is that electronic “connection” is actually replacing face-to-face connection.
Therefore, we are neglecting our ability and desire to experience physical connection. In this time of uncertainty, let’s promote love and connection through touch with our partners.
Give Thanks This Holiday Season with Touch
With the holidays fast approaching, and November being the season to “Give Thanks”, what better way to show your love, and help lower blood pressure, than by giving or receiving a massage?
At Catalyst PT & Wellness, you can book a massage for yourself, or buy a massage digital gift card for a loved one.
In addition, we also have our Monthly Massage Membership Program!
How to Give a Massage at Home for Your Partner
Need help on how to give a massage to your partner? Here’s a quick video tutorial on how to give a head, neck and shoulders massage for your partner.
Final Thoughts
So, if you want help keeping your blood pressure low this holiday season, or if you have more questions about massages and physical therapy at Catalyst, call us or fill out our contact form.
Also, a massage gift card is a great way to say thank you, and a easy gift to buy and share online with friends and family in the San Diego area.
I leave you with a quote from researchers and authors Dr. Charles & Dr. Elizabeth Schmitz, “To touch someone you love is to acknowledge their presence and to communicate your desire for them. That’s why the most successfully married couples amongst us do it so often.”
By: Jessica Luna, CMT
References:
Ben-Zeev, Aaron. “Why a Lover’s Touch Is So Powerful.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 14 May 2014, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/201405/why-lovers-touch-is-so-powerful.
Brown, Gary. “Why Physical Touch Is So Important in Relationships.” Gary Brown, 11 July 2017, drgarybrowntherapy.com/physical-touch-important-relationships/.
