The Power of Therapeutic Touch During Labor: A Trauma-Informed Approach
Labor can be a challenging and intense experience, especially for those who have a history of trauma. Managing pain and staying calm are important, but they can also be difficult. One helpful method that can support you during labor is therapeutic touch. At Sweet Bee Services, we use this technique to reduce pain, increase comfort, and help you feel more in control. In this post, we’ll explore what therapeutic touch is, how it works, and how it can be used during labor in a trauma-informed way.
What is Therapeutic Touch? Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a modern approach that draws on ancient healing practices. It’s a way to use gentle touch or even just the hands near the body to help balance a person’s energy and support healing. This technique is used by healthcare professionals like nurses and therapists to help people feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally. Therapeutic touch is holistic, which means it focuses on the whole person—body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
Why Therapeutic Touch Matters for Those with Trauma: For people who have experienced trauma, labor can sometimes bring up difficult memories and feelings. This can make the process even more challenging. Therapeutic touch offers a gentle, non-invasive way to help manage these feelings and create a safe, calming environment. It aligns with trauma-informed care principles, which focus on creating safety, trust, and empowerment.
How Does Therapeutic Touch Work? Therapeutic touch is based on the idea that our bodies have an energy field that can get out of balance due to stress, trauma, or illness. Practitioners believe that by using their hands to guide this energy, they can help restore balance and promote healing. During labor, therapeutic touch can help in several ways:
Reducing Pain: Trauma can make the experience of pain more intense. Therapeutic touch can help ease the pain of contractions by restoring balance to the body’s energy.
Increasing Comfort and Relaxation: For those who have experienced trauma, feeling safe is crucial. Therapeutic touch helps to reduce stress hormones and increase feelings of well-being, creating a calming effect that helps you stay focused during labor.
Empowering the Birthing Person: Labor can feel overwhelming, especially for those with a history of trauma. Therapeutic touch helps you stay connected to your body and the birthing process, giving you a sense of control and empowerment.
The Science Behind Therapeutic Touch: Research has shown that therapeutic touch can be effective in reducing pain, anxiety, and stress. For example, studies have found that:
Therapeutic touch can lower anxiety and pain levels.
It can help people feel more positive and calm.
It’s useful for people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly.
These benefits make therapeutic touch a valuable tool, especially in settings where trauma-informed care is important.
Using Therapeutic Touch During Labor: If you’re considering therapeutic touch during labor, it’s important to work with someone who is trained in this technique. Here’s how it can be used during labor:
Consent and Collaboration: Always start by giving your consent and discussing what will happen during therapeutic touch. This ensures you feel comfortable and in control.
Pain Relief: Therapeutic touch can help reduce the intensity of contractions, especially during the hardest parts of labor.
Creating a Calm Environment: Therapeutic touch can be part of a broader plan to create a calm and safe space. This might include dimming the lights, playing soothing music, or using relaxing scents.
Emotional Support: Therapeutic touch can also provide emotional reassurance, helping you feel more grounded and centered during labor.
Therapeutic touch is a gentle, non-invasive method that can make a big difference during labor, especially for those with a history of trauma. It helps manage pain, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of safety and control. If you’re interested in using therapeutic touch during labor, talk to your healthcare provider and find a trained practitioner who can support you.
This technique can help you have a more positive and empowering birth experience, giving you the comfort and focus you need as you welcome your baby into the world.
References
Blankfield, R.P., Zyzanski, S.J., Flocke, S.A., Alemagno, S.A., & Scheurman, K. (2001). "Therapeutic touch in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome." The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, 14(5), 335-342.
Denison, B. (2004). "Touch the pain away: New research on therapeutic touch and persons with fibromyalgia syndrome." Holistic Nursing Practice, 18(3), 142-151.
Lin, Y.S., & Gill, E. (1999). "The effectiveness of therapeutic touch on patients with chronic pain: A pilot study." Journal of Holistic Nursing, 17(4), 331-342.
Aucott, M., Buccheri, J., & Reilley, S. (2002). "Therapeutic touch in caring for the suffering patient." Nursing Clinics of North America, 37(4), 795-805.
Ireland, M. (1998). "Therapeutic touch with preterm infants: A pilot study." Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 13(5), 265-277.
Woods, D., & Diamond, L. (2002). "Therapeutic touch as a nursing intervention." Nursing Clinics of North America, 37(1), 161-167.
ScienceDirect. (n.d.). "Therapeutic Touch." Retrieved from ScienceDirect.
