The consequences of touch-deprivation are quite severe, as established by the following research. The Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, reported that premature babies who receive massage gain weight 47% faster and leave hospital 6 days quicker than those who are denied massage. TRI studies also proved that a hand resting on a patient’s shoulder or around the waist can decrease heart rate and blood pressure. Coma patients whose hands were held experience strengthened heart function.

Neuroscientist Mary Carlson observed in Ceausescu's Romanian orphanages that children severely retarded in growth and mental development rocked and grasped each other just like experimental psychologist’s Harlow's touch-starved monkeys, and grew up unable to form permanent attachments. Amazingly, her chemical analysis showed abnormal cortisol profiles, which indicates a severe problem with stress response.

In The Power of Touch, author Phyllis Davis notes, "We aren't giving our children enough loving touch for them to distinguish between loving touch and sexual touch." Hugging is now prohibited in many schools between students and teachers. Davis argues that since teens have their touching needs unfulfilled by parents, friends or teachers, they focus on dating partners and are having sex and getting pregnant in order to have their need for touch satisfied, and this practice continues on into adulthood.

Behavioral scientists, Andersen and Lusting report development of self-esteem to be at least partly based on the amount of loving touch received. Finally, based on conclusive experimental evidence, Harlow teaches us that violent behavior and loss of nurturing capacity, especially towards one's own children, are life-long results of touch-starvation.

Is it just a coincidence that our schools and streets are so violent? Perhaps the barbaric violence and preemptive aggression that our government has demonstrated towards other sovereign nations is, also, not just coincidence. Since the consequences are so severe, it seems to me that we should recognize the deliberate withholding of touch as a form of abuse, and that this should be reflected in our laws.

It is quite obvious that verbal communication is just not enough for us human beings. We need to show our love for each other, especially our children, with a comforting hand resting on the shoulder or around the waist, and we need to hug – often. Another thing we can do is learn and share massage as a family. Book someone you love an appointment for a massage. Sign up for an infant massage class. The International Association of Infant Massage estimates that 10,000 anxious new parents took infant massage training last year.

Massage therapy is a fun and healthy solution. It also relieves pain, flushes the body of toxins, prevents disease, and can produce euphoria by releasing endorphins in the brain. Interestingly, certain of these endorphins have been discovered by Candace Pert to be messengers between the brain and immune system. So, it is not just about feeling great. A most effective modality for endorphin release is Esalen in which hot oil is applied, and long sweeping strokes are performed from toe to head. Massage should not be rushed. At least two hours should be set aside, and the room should be quiet without interruptions and talking.

Massage should begin with very light pressure strokes, generally directed toward the heart. One type of massage called Lymphatic Drainage flushes the body of toxins that have accumulated in the lymph fluid, especially in the legs and breasts, where lymphatic return is commonly inhibited by tight clothing like bras and socks. Since toxins trigger cancer formation, Lymphatic Drainage massage serves as preventative health care.

Gradually deeper pressure, such as in Swedish petrissage, can be applied to flush the muscles of wastes and pump in fresh nutrients. Even deeper pressure (in another modality called Deep Myofascial Release) may be used to loosen adhesions in the fascia and release muscle knots, which increases range of motion.

Shiatsu is yet another modality in which certain points called Tsubos are activated to relieve pain, prevent disease, center one’s energy and help the client take in Universal Life Energy (Chi) to enable healing and rejuvenation.

Whatever forms of loving touch we choose to use everyday, we help to cure the illness of touch-deprivation that is so pervasive in our society. Sharing touch will enhance not only our own health, but also that of our relationships – and even that of our country's foreign relations. Let us not simply recite that we love each other; let us demonstrate it genuinely for all the world to notice.