Hello. This has happened to me a few times for quite a few years: Sometimes I'll feel 'something' touching me, usually on my side (by my waist). I can't exactly say that it is someone's 'hand', or not, but then it's hard to tell because when I touch my Own hand to my side I get the sensation of touching and being touched - so it's hard to tell.

Anyway, this has happened to me - gosh - probably since I was around 12 - about 25 years. It happens few and far between, I mean maybe like once every year and a half. The touch is neither rough or very gentle, it is more like a gentle but firm touch. I seem to remember it happening more when I was younger - the teenage years.

This is important: the strange thing is, that no one I really knew had passed away when I was that young except a great aunt that I rarely saw. I was creeped out buy stuff that early though, I remember that when we went to her funeral it was customary to have a get-together after the funeral with refreshments. Well, this get together took place in the basement of the funeral home. My brother and I were so creeped out because we were eating in a room probably next to or around - gasp- the embalming room I guess!

This 'touch' has happened to me in the house I grew up in, in various apartments and houses that I've lived in spanning 25 years. I've never been doing anything 'intense' when it happens, it's usually when I'm doing everyday things - reading a book, getting dinner ready, etc.

When I was younger I seemed to accept it better, I remember telling my mother about it matter-of-factly but she did seem quite sceptical. As I got older, I remember telling whoever was touching my side to "quit it and leave me alone", I must have been my early 20's. I have to say these episodes have gotten rarer and rarer, but I do very occasionally experience them. I don't say anything now, but I am aware of this pressing feeling on my side, but not much else. I've never seen nor heard anything else to go along with it. It doesn't last long, maybe a second or two. I don't feel any presence attached to it.

I Have been wondering about this for years but never really had anyone I could ask this to that wouldn't think I was crazy! I'm just wondering if anyone would know what this can possibly be?

The house I grew up in had only 1 set of previous owners, but no one had died, they had gotten divorced and moved out and my parents had bought it. But I guess whatever this thing is, if indeed it is anything, has followed me, but I can't imagine who it could be because like I said when this started happening I didn't really know anyone who had passed away. Can anyone shed some light on what this could possibly be? Thank you and I'm sorry this is so long. Madammacabre

I have had the experience of feeling like someone is comforting me on occassion by gently rubbing the back of my hair. One or two little strokes on the back of my head. I have lost several relatives and friends that I was close to, but it started back when I was about 8 years old... which was not long after my grandmother died. I had it happen as recently as 3 weeks ago. As far as what this is with you, there are a lot of possibilities. A spirit guide, guardian angel, passed loved one that even though you may not have known them, still could be there with you at times... lot of possibilities. Maybe someone else has a better answer for you. If it doesn't scare you, or it comforts you then I would say whatever it is, it's good. =)

I agree with you Savannah. Not too many other things it could be really. I was surprised though to read that it happens to both of you so rarely. Mine happens, at the very least, several times a week. I thought maybe it was that frequent with others as well. Last night I got poked in the ribs as if they were kidding around with me =) It has even been so strong in the past that it has stopped me from going in a certain direction. I know it cannot be anything malevolent because the touch always calms me instead of scaring me.

Good topic. I'd like to hear of others who have experienced this as well.

Hi ~

Just wanted to add that the 'touch' doesn't really seem comforting - it's not really unsettling, more of mildly irritating, just 'there'. Just wanted to add that. Thanks for your responses! Madammacabre

I would agree that touches come from loved ones who have passed, spirit guides, guardian angels and even some ghostly touches if you happen to be sharing your home with one. Mostly just to let us know they are there. The malevolent types are not as common and I believe they are more harassing and so would touch harder and more frequently. There would likely be a strong sense of unease, dread or fear that would come with it. Not like the uneasiness we feel when something unusual happens that we can't explain or when others are reluctant to believe.

I have felt these touches many times. From light touches on my hair to a little nudge. I have never felt fear with them. Both of my sons have had them. My older boy has had light touches while sitting and watching TV downstairs (where our ghostie mostly is) to stronger touches that frightened him while at his girlfriends place where they have seen a dark shadow. My youngest has only been light touches to the arm or neck area. It made him feel uneasy because he didn't know what it was and the fact that we have lots of strange things happen in our home added to his feeling uneasy by the touch. Outside of the experience at the girlfriends place I tell them both what I believe to be true that it is likely their spirit guide or their (great)grandparents who have passed on just letting them know they are with them. I agree with both Cindy and Savannah that these are more comforting then scary.

This reminds me of a great line from the movie Sixth Sense "you know the prickly things at the back of your neck, that's them"

Cat =)

I've also had this happen. Mine does happen pretty often, but I rarely think about it. One incident that comes to mind is when I was living in the house we moved from this summer. It was a Saturday, and James had gone off with some of his friends. I had been working around the house and had lit some candles to scent the rooms. As I was about to blow one of the candles out, something distinctly tapped me on the shoulder. Not a mild tap, but pretty firm, like "do you mind?! I was enjoying that!"
We stayed at a haunted B and B once and I had something caressing my leg during the night. I thought it was hubby, but he was zonked out. Guess it was the ghost of an amorous fellow!

Something like that also happens to me once in a while...not so much of soft touch, though. More of a whack. The last time it happened was about a month ago while I was trying to get to sleep. I was almost asleep when something hit me pretty hard on the knee. My dog, that stays in my room at night, was sound asleep as usual, so I don't know what else it could be.

I had a similar expierence to eyesofjade just this past Saturday night. I was falling asleep and first I heard a loud crash in my husbands office, like something fell off his desk. I woke him up and told him, of course he just grunted and went back to sleep. Then as I started to fall asleep again I got a very large push in my theigh just above my knee. This was at the side of the bed away from my husband, so it wasn't him. I popped my eyes open expecting to see one of the kids standing there (though they have never woken me up like that, and I was still awake enough that I would have heard them). No one was there. So I scooted closer to my husband to try to go back to sleep. A few minutes later I was waken again by someone yelling 'hey' in my ear, again, no one was there. Then a few minutes later as I finally started to get back to sleep there was another loud noise from hubbys office. At this point I was just annoyed and told whatever it was that this was my house and I was trying to sleep and not to wake me or anyone else up while we are sleeping. Then I was able to go to sleep and there were no more sounds or anything that night, and very little since then.
It was definantly very odd though.

It used to happen to me alot as a child. And still happens today. I wish I had an explanation for you but I don't. I didn't have anyone close to me die in my childhood and no one even up to now. It's probably different depending on the case.
They never felt invasive. Often comforting. Sometimes irritating since sometimes I flinch or jump depending on my state at the time. Sometimes it's a tug.
Let us know if you find out. =)

Hi, I also have had that happen. But it is the sensation of pricklies on my back, like someone might feel on there neck when a spirit is around, but it is always in the same spot. very weird. I feel like its someone, not poking me, but putting their hand on my back.