The Gift of Touch
by Jennifer Falzetta-Smith
Jennifer Falzetta-Smith, LMT
I recently had an experience that had a profound effect on me. As a massage therapist I know that I am helping someone every time I touch them, but sometimes I think I take it for granted. I realized the other day, however, that in just five minutes I had given someone a truly wonderful gift. It was the gift of touch.
Chagrin Valley Wellness Center was hosting a free chair massage event for the tenants in our office building. A lady came down and asked if she could bring some of her patients down for a chair massage. As she brought them into the room I introduced myself to the young man that was heading toward my chair. The woman told me his name and that he doesn’t talk much. I proceeded with the massage with extra care after hearing the woman tell the young man that if he got scared to tell me to stop.
At first he was very stiff and awkward getting into the chair. Then as the massage progressed, I felt him slowly relax. At the end of the massage the young man got up, smiled and said, “that was great.” The woman was surprised to hear his voice since he very rarely spoke. It made my heart smile to see what I had done for him, and it only took five minutes of touch.
Humans need touch. It is vital to our health and well-being. From the moment we’re born we need touch to help us in our physical, mental and psychological development. Touch can also provide us with a feeling of comfort and protection. Therefore, touch deprivation can have serious consequences for an individual.
So even though I was busy that day doing one chair massage after another, I had to stop and take a moment to marvel at what I had done for this man. I am truly blessed to have such a gift that helps so many people, and every day I look forward to the opportunity to give more people the precious gift of touch.
~Jennifer
Chagrin Valley Wellness Center was hosting a free chair massage event for the tenants in our office building. A lady came down and asked if she could bring some of her patients down for a chair massage. As she brought them into the room I introduced myself to the young man that was heading toward my chair. The woman told me his name and that he doesn’t talk much. I proceeded with the massage with extra care after hearing the woman tell the young man that if he got scared to tell me to stop.
At first he was very stiff and awkward getting into the chair. Then as the massage progressed, I felt him slowly relax. At the end of the massage the young man got up, smiled and said, “that was great.” The woman was surprised to hear his voice since he very rarely spoke. It made my heart smile to see what I had done for him, and it only took five minutes of touch.
Humans need touch. It is vital to our health and well-being. From the moment we’re born we need touch to help us in our physical, mental and psychological development. Touch can also provide us with a feeling of comfort and protection. Therefore, touch deprivation can have serious consequences for an individual.
So even though I was busy that day doing one chair massage after another, I had to stop and take a moment to marvel at what I had done for this man. I am truly blessed to have such a gift that helps so many people, and every day I look forward to the opportunity to give more people the precious gift of touch.
~Jennifer