What is Touch for Health?

Touch for Health is a form of kinesiology that aims to restore the human body into its natural state of health. It was developed by Dr John Thie in the 1970s to guide lay people in using simple but highly effective techniques for treating muscle imbalances. Anyone can use the modality to help themselves, their family and friends as well. Touch for Health's fundamental training concepts for kinesiology are recognised internationally and used in more than 100 countries. In addition, it can be used as an adjunct to current healthcare practices.

What is Touch for Health?

How Does Touch for Health Work?

Touch for Health combines various principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with more orthodox techniques. It uses muscle testing or monitoring to assess energy and body function before applying a range of gentle, yet powerful, healing techniques to improve health, wellbeing and vitality. Some of these are gentle manipulation techniques, flower essences, diet modification, stress release, visualisation and positive goal setting.

Muscle testing or monitoring is an important tool in kinesiology as it is used to diagnose and heal any bodily imbalances that may have possibly occurred due to stress, nutrition, allergies, injuries or learning problems.

What are the Benefits of Touch for Health?

Touch for Health involves acupressure, touch and massage to stimulate the appropriate acupuncture meridian points (energy points) within the body and help the patient improve their health and wellbeing. By resolving the imbalances in the body's energetic system, Touch For Health helps address a variety of conditions, including:

  • Back pain
  • Headache
  • Stomach ache
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Fears and phobias
  • Arm, shoulder, leg and knee pain
  • Mental and emotional stress
  • Performance at work, school and sports
  • Relationship issues
  • Neurological conditions
  • Postural problems

What Can You Expect From Touch for Health?

The approach used by kinesiologists will be unique for each client and will be based on their individual needs, as well as the therapist's training. In a session, different techniques may be used, such as gentle pressure, to work on specific reflex points on the head, body or feet. A typical Touch For Health session can last from 30 minutes to an hour, or even longer, depending on the complexity of the client's issue. 

Before the healing proper begins, the practitioner will sit down with the client and ask them what their health concerns are. It's important to note that Touch for Health addresses muscle imbalances to support the body's natural healing mechanism; it does not diagnose or treat the disease itself. After the consultation phase, the practitioner starts testing the muscles of the client while they're seated, standing or lying down. The latter remains fully clothed throughout the treatment session. 

The number of TFH sessions a client will need depends on the nature of their problem. Most people see immediate results after a single session, while others may require two or three sessions to achieve their goals. 

Is Touch for Health Safe?

Touch for Health is a safe and noninvasive natural therapy that uses muscle feedback to help the body resolve physical and emotional issues without any side effects.