While research has proven that massage has healing benefits, non-contact therapies such as HT and TT are more controversial. In the medical field, these practices are considered a pseudoscience by many and scientists aren't sure exactly if or how it works. Some believe positive results may be due to the placebo effect.

Most studies indicate that therapeutic touch can relieve tension headaches and reduce pain, such as pain associated with burns, osteoarthritis, or following surgery. It may also speed wound healing and improve function in those with arthritis. In fact, studies show that therapeutic touch stimulates cell growth.

Therapeutic touch is a type of energy therapy. Also called healing touch.