The Power of Touch

In "The Power of Touch", Phyllis Davis has written an extremely useful guide book on a topic rarely discussed in serious terms. Her informal, anecdotal, and very personal style belie the research and scholarship of her work. Though an "easy read", it is a book with a message for the medical and behavioral sciance professional as well as the general public. In addition to research and personal and professional anecdotes, Ms. Davis has included exercises that may be used with a loved one, or in therapy sessions. If "touch" is in itself, as powerful a tool for health as Ms. Davis's research shows us, then it is sadly underused inter-personally and medically in our society. I hope that the lessons of this little book will be broadcast far and wide.

As a managing editor working in the field of human potential and spirituality, I have been privileged to read the marvelous insights and practices of hundreds of authors. This incredible body of work has expanded my knowledge and understanding of what it means to be human, but none of these others works has ever touched me as deeply and helped me to transform myself and others as much as Dr. Phyllis Davis' The Power of Touch. Dr. Davis addresses a painful, aching need for society and individuals: "skin hunger," the need to feel human touch, a desire that she says "runs much deeper than the desire for sex." This need-largely unfulfilled during the ages of more traditional lifestyles-will increase by many orders of magnitude, I fear, as we choose to immerse ourselves in an information technology-driven world where our main involvement with others rests with e-mail and "reality shows" like Survivor and Big Brother. In The Power of Touch, Dr. Davis examines all aspects of our world-families, friendships, intimate relationships, and the workplace-to reveal the painful results of touch deprivation. In a world where so many people are living without the validation and self-assurance that come from touches and hugs, or a simple caress, it is no wonder that the movement toward increased spirituality in the workplace has faltered. Too many people have never experienced the power and the magic Dr. Davis attributes to touch, but they are hungering to do so.A few years ago, after one of my first readings of The Power of Touch (in its first edition), I put Dr. Davis' ideas to the test. I was then working as a media relations specialist for a Fortune 500 company in Los Angeles. At a City Hall reception one evening, I saw a company executive who earlier in the day had completed his first broadcast media interview. "How did it go?" I asked, standing a comfortable "businesslike" distance from him. He replied in what can only be described as an engineer's technical monotone (he is an engineer). I then proceeded to "bubble over" as I expressed how proud I was of him. Without thinking (and I did not know this executive particularly well), I touched his arm and his back in a brief, but friendly hug. An electric jolt could not have changed this man's outward expression more. The stern lines of his face melted. A huge, almost boyish smile came over his face. He became animated and the rush of words were quite a departure from the monotone a moment earlier. His eyes glistened. He was human. He was happy. All because of a touch.

I just finished reading The Power of Touch by Dr. Phyllis K. Davis. I was immediately impressed by the author's voice that seemed as warm, and inviting as it was wise. The more I read of the book, the more I wanted to read. The content seemed well researched, without sounding clinical. What really amazed me was how many of my roles Dr. Davis addressed: wife, mother, daughter, teacher and even volunteer to Alzheimer patients. By reading her book I have learned why I wouldn't let go of my husband's hand during all six hours of childbirth labor, or why my teen age son loves to have his mom give him foot massages or why my students are more attentive to my comments when I put my hand on their shoulder, or why my widowed mother seems to cling longer to those goodbye hugs. In my volunteer work, I now take my elderly friends by the hand while we talk and walk together. I only wish I had had Dr. Davis's book when my sons were babies. My mothering techniques would have included considerably more tactile stimulation. At least it will impact my future approach to grandmothering. While The Power of Touch affirms so many of my natural inclinations about touch, it also challenges me to use more of its potential, especially for its impact on healing. The central idea that I will carry with me from this book is really summed up in the title. I will never feel as ineffective in interpersonal communication because I know that I can rely on the power of touch to communicate where words are inadequate. Intriqued by the title, my husband has asked questions about the book, leading into much discussion, and now drawing him into reading the book as well. I look forward to the impact it will have on him and on our relationship. Thank you Dr. Davis for your impactful book, The Power of Touch.A teacher from Okemos, Michigan