The Magic of Touch

Cohen (coauthor of Diabetes, etc.) explores the sense of touch and its role in emotional and physical health, and introduces the reader to a gamut of touch-healing methods: therapeutic touch, rolfing, reflexology, acupuncture, reiki, shiatsu, the Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques, the Chinese and reichian massage methods, etc. She explains when particular therapies should be employed or avoided (a Swedish massage is recommended for fatigue and insomnia but not for pregnant women around the abdominal area), and presents pros and cons of the various procedures (""On the subject of faith healing, I'm fascinated but largely unconvinced''). Although she advocates ``people touch'' too insistently (``Touch your doctor, your lawyer, your editor, your typist''), thelively style and abundance of anthropological and medical evidence should sway touch-inhibited or skeptical readers. There is a list of touch-therapy clinics and associations, but the lack of illustrations detracts from the book's impact. (April 15)