Touch for Health (TFH) can best be explained by the concept of the Triangle of Health. This is a holistic approach which presents the Mental/Emotional, Structural and Biochemical aspects of our being as equal entities in the triangle of health. When the triangle is equilateral the sides are balanced and the person feels well. But our bodies are constantly using our senses to adapt to known or perceived threats and the triangle is constantly fluctuating distorting the triangle.

Triangle of Health – Balanced-diagram

Triangle of Health – Unbalanced-diagram

For example, if a person is under significant emotional stress, the triangle will become negatively distorted which will impact both the biochemical and structural aspects of the person’s health. Physiologically the nervous system and the endocrine system will take the brunt of the emotional stress. As the stress continues, the person will start to feel structural tension in their muscles/joints and may ultimately encounter digestive and vital organ trouble.

Dr. George Goodheart, developed TFH by adapting concepts from both Western and Eastern medical philosophies. He incorporated the work of Dr. Frank Chapman, an Osteopathic physician who identified neurolymphatic reflexes. Dr. Chapman found that he could stimulate nerve and lymph flow to individual organs and glands by applying pressure on the reflex points in the abdomen, along the sternum, ribs, back of the neck, crest of pelvis, behind the knees and the outside of the upper thigh. Chapman used his work to improve the body’s function and self-regulating abilities which overall helps all body systems to come into balance and maintain optimal health.

TFH also incorporates the work of Dr. Terence Bennett, a Chiropractor who discovered what came to be known as the Bennett Reflexes. These are specific neurovascular points located on the head and front of the trunk that are believed to affect the circulation of the vascular system of specific organs to improve their health.

TFH also draws from traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Element theory. Each element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) is associated with a particular organ, muscle, emotion, neurolympathic point and neurovascular point. By combining these methods along with muscle monitoring and traditional acupuncture/acupressure theories, TFH may help balance the body’s natural energies to ease discomfort of common aches, pains and stresses of daily living.

Western medicine treats hypertonic (tight) muscles that are in spasm with massage and physical therapy. TFH focuses on the imbalance that is within the hypotonic (weak) muscle, restoring energy and tone to the weak muscle, thus allowing the excessively tight muscle to relax to its normal tone.

This noninvasive holistic approach to improving health and well-being is suitable for people of all ages to learn. If you are interested in learning more about Touch For Health please call us at 519-716-0578 or email info@bodyinnovations.org

• Pictures kindly provided by Touch For Health, The Complete Edition by John Thie, DC and Matthew Thie, M.Ed