The Butterfly Touch Massage
gentle transformation and healing through light touch
The name Butterfly Massage is named for the light, fluttering movements of a butterfly.
It is also an allusion to metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly, but also the way one would handle a butterfly without damaging it.
Inspired by a butterfly’s fluttering wings
Using very light, repetitive strokes with the hands and fingers, this massage encourages the flow of life energy and helps release tension. It can be done fully clothed or with a small amount of oil on the skin.
This technique was created by Dr. Eva Reich — the daughter of the famous doctor Wilhelm Reich — and is part of her much broader life work called Gentle Bio-Energetics.
The main aim is to bring relief from trauma and stress
The Butterfly Touch Massage was originally developed for premature babies as a way to gently support their development and help them recover from the stress of birth. Today, this gentle massage is used for people of all ages—infants, children, and adults alike. Its main aim is to bring relief from trauma and stress, promote deep relaxation, and restore natural energy. Dr. Eva Reich, who created this technique, noticed that babies receiving this massage relaxed deeply, often recovering quickly from birth-related stress.
What does The Butterfly Touch Massage do?
- Develops emotional regulation
- Restores energy and revitalizes
- Relaxes and de-traumatizes
- Develops playfulness
- Relieves stress and anxiety
Additional benefits for infants:
- Promotes bonding between parent and child
- Builds sensory and body awareness of the baby
- Alleviates intestinal cramps and colic