Humans are the most sensitive creatures on earth. More specifically, we have advanced tactile abilities that allow us to feel almost anything we want. While other species have some degree of sensitivity to touch, no one can compete with humans when it comes to this sense. Everything from goosebumps to shivers, itching and tickling are all a result of our ability to perceive stimuli on a very fine-tuned level. As you read through this article, you will learn more about why our sense of touch is fascinating, what the different types of touch receptors are and how they function in our bodies. In addition, you’ll discover more about where they are located and why they’re so important for survival.

What is Touch?

When it comes to touch, we’re referring to two sensations: pressure and temperature. Pressure is defined as the amount of force applied to your skin, while temperature is how hot or cold something is. Pressure is what allows you to distinguish things like the softness of a pillow or the hardness of a pencil. Temperature is what allows you to tell if something is hot, cold or lukewarm. Pressure can also be used to tell you if something is moving or stationary. For example, if you’re walking in the sand and come across a rock, you can feel it with your foot and know it’s stationary.

Types of Touch Receptors

Touch receptors, also known as mechanoreceptors, are specialized sensory receptors that are responsible for the sensation of touch. There are two main categories of receptors: cutaneous (skin) and somatic (muscle and joint tissues).

Cutaneous - Receptors found in the skin and respond to light touch, vibrations and temperature. These receptors are responsible for the shivers you get when you see something scary or when you hear a scary sound.

Somatic - Receptors found in muscles and joints and respond to heavy touch and deep pressure. These receptors are responsible for feelings of pain and pressure from your muscles and joints. These are the areas of the body where you would apply a massage or a painful pinch.

The Importance of a Sense of Touch

Touch can be used to communicate affection and build trust. It can be a source of comfort, especially when used with massage or cuddle therapy. Although it’s widely used as a way to increase positive emotions, it can also be used to inflict pain or inflict negative emotions. Those who have been through trauma or abuse might have a difficult time feeling or trusting touch. It’s important to note that not all people are affected by touch in the same way. People with tactile sensitivity disorder may feel overloaded by light touch. This is a disorder that disrupts the normal processing of touch. People with autism or Asperger’s syndrome might also have issues processing touch.

Touch, Language and Communication

The two senses of touch and language are closely linked. Tactile communication can be used to replace the language of a person who is unable to verbally communicate. People with communication disorders like autism or aphasia can benefit from this form of communication. People with autism who struggle with verbal communication can use touch to show comfort, affection or distress. One study found that people with autism used touch to communicate 10 times more than their peers without autism. Communicating through touch can be beneficial in many situations, including:

• Asking for assistance - Lightly tapping someone on the arm is a non-verbal way of asking for help.

• Showing affection - Hugging, holding hands and placing your arm around another person’s shoulders are all ways of showing affection.

• Expressing feelings - Squeezing someone’s hand when they are upset can show support.

• Confronting someone - Touching an arm or shoulder can be a way to tell someone you want to talk with them.

• Expressing empathy - Touching a friend’s hand when they are upset can show you are there for them.

• Ending an argument - Tapping a person on the shoulder or placing a hand on their arm when they are getting too angry can help diffuse the situation.

Bottom line

There is more to touch than just pressure and temperature. Many other sensations can be felt through touch, such as pain and pleasure, hot and cold and texture. Touch has many beneficial health effects, including stress reduction and lower blood pressure. It can also be used to communicate and form stronger bonds with other people. Unfortunately, the ability to feel is not always easy. The sensations of pressure, temperature and pain are not pleasant, but they are useful.