The role of touch in manual therapy – an integrative literature review
Hertzman, Yehonatan (2016)
Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016112016559
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016112016559
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this study was to identify the role of touch in the context of manual therapy as an intervention. For this purpose, the importance of the skin was addressed as to provide a wider understanding of the topic. In addition, investigations of the effects manual therapy on pain were questioned.
The method used to write this thesis was an integrated literature review with resemblance to a systematic literature review. Relevant articles published from 2006 to 2016 established a preliminary inclusion criterion. Moreover, the search was conducted using three databases: PubMed, Science Direct and a collection of references mentioned in the body of the text. Mesh Terms included the combination of “manual therapy” AND “skin”, “manual therapy” AND “therapeutic touch”, “chronic pain” AND therapeutic touch”, “neuropathic pain AND the skin” In addition to manual assessment of the included references by the author of this thesis.
It can be asserted that the role of touch in manual therapy stems from an individual, psychophysiological response to the interaction between the therapist and the client. Furthermore, activation of the c-fiber system using pleasurable touch in manual therapy provides an opportunity for pain management, somatosensory activation and building rapport in the physiotherapeutic settings.
The method used to write this thesis was an integrated literature review with resemblance to a systematic literature review. Relevant articles published from 2006 to 2016 established a preliminary inclusion criterion. Moreover, the search was conducted using three databases: PubMed, Science Direct and a collection of references mentioned in the body of the text. Mesh Terms included the combination of “manual therapy” AND “skin”, “manual therapy” AND “therapeutic touch”, “chronic pain” AND therapeutic touch”, “neuropathic pain AND the skin” In addition to manual assessment of the included references by the author of this thesis.
It can be asserted that the role of touch in manual therapy stems from an individual, psychophysiological response to the interaction between the therapist and the client. Furthermore, activation of the c-fiber system using pleasurable touch in manual therapy provides an opportunity for pain management, somatosensory activation and building rapport in the physiotherapeutic settings.