!#8# Why Touching in General, and Massaging More Specifically, Is Beneficial

!±8± Why Touching in General, and Massaging More Specifically, Is Beneficial

The skin consists of layers of cells and connective tissue. It forms the external surface of the body and provides a waterproof covering that protects us. The major layers of the skin includes the epidermis (the outer layer), the dermis (the middle layer), and the subcutaneous tissue (the inner layer). The outer layer is very protective and is continually being shed.

The middle layer receives a good blood and nerve supply, contains lymphatic vessels and collagen (a tough protein), and contains hair follicles, and sweat and sebaceous glands. The middle layer enables us to sense our environment, to perceive pain and touch, and to control body temperature by regulating sweating and the amount of blood reaching the skin where it can be cooled. The subcutaneous tissue lies beneath the skin and is primarily fat. This layer functions as a fat reservoir, which can help keep the body warm and absorbs low-intensity shocks. Beneath this fat often lies a dense, but thin, layer of deep fascia that surrounds muscles of the body, which are deep to the deep fascia.

The skin has several functions including:

o Sensation (touch, pain, pleasure)
o Temperature regulation
o Prevents water loss
o Prevents entry of bacteria
o Functions as a fat reservoir

Touching the Skin
When you touch the skin a whole host of things change. One change is that touch causes the excitation and transmission of nerve impulses to the spinal cord and brain. These impulses code for different types of sensation including basic touch, pressure and position sense, discrimination of points in space, vibration and deformation, pain, and temperature sensations. These impulses are carried to your brain where they are analyzed and interpreted. Your brain is amazing in that it adds contextual/conditional interpretation to the information so that if the touch is of a desired sexual nature it will feel pleasurable to you. The same type of sensation, but in a completely different context, will not feel as pleasurable or sexual to you.

Connective Tissue
Interspersed among the cells of the skin are protein fibers such as collagen and elastin. These fibers give strength and resilience to the skin. Normally, the skin is under tension and is held in place by these connective tissue fibers. Excessive force during massage (tearing these connective tissue strands) should be avoided to prevent wrinkles. This is typically not of great concern unless the massage is to the head and neck, which includes the face. On the other hand, excessive collagen occasionally builds up in the skin and causes it to be abnormally immovable. Such adhesions can be purposely massaged post their elastic limit and thereby stretched to gradually return mobility to the skin. Sensual massage should occur within the elastic limit of the stress-strain curve and will thereby be safe to the skin. Typically, this means that during massage skin should not be stretched past its elastic end feel (where you normally feel the skin get tight).

Sensual Massage
As was alluded to earlier, much of what makes a massage sensual is the context within which it occurs. This is not to say that technique is not important however. In fact, some people seem to be able to communicate incredibly well through touch whereas others do not. Certainly, one's ability to communicate through touch can be improved with practice. Since what feels good during a sensual massage is often in the "skin of the beholder", the most efficient way to improve your skills is to practice on your partner, letting him or her guide your technique based on how it feels.

Helpful Points about Sensual Massage
The following points may help you in your quest to implement sensual massage into your repertoire of sexual activities:

1. If you are not mentally prepared for sensual touching you are not likely to communicate sensuality with your touch. Often what comes out through the hands is a direct reflection of what is manifesting in your brain.

2. Your touch should be confident and not hesitant. Start by placing your entire hand on the skin of your partner. Move slowly along body contours with just enough pressure to indent the skin.

3. Continually note the reaction of your partner. Ask questions about what feels good as you experiment with different pressures, different movements, different directions, and different locations. Take note of recurring patterns in what your partner enjoys and then repeat them.

4. Learn to recognize your partner's body language. Typically, when your partner states that something feels great there should be a corresponding change in body language. Not these non-verbal cues and when they occur in the future you will know that they convey pleasure.

5. Occasionally you may wish to feel the substance of the underlying muscle, especially when more vigorous massage is desired. This again will require communication between you and your partner. How vigorous the muscle massage should be is largely a matter of personal preference.