Many people think that because massage is a natural therapy that it can't do any harm, but this is a classic example of where it absolutely can. Many therapists believe that by relieving muscle tension with a deep tissue massage, they will release emotions and therefore help to heal trauma.
Relaxation Response: Deep tissue massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response. This shift from the fight-or-flight mode to a state of calm and relaxation allows the body to release emotional tension and find balance.
The best massage for emotional release varies depending on the individual. Techniques such as deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy are highly effective in addressing emotional tension. However, the most suitable approach depends on personal preferences and the client's needs.
Signs your body is releasing trauma can sometimes be subtle or surprising, but recognizing them is key for moving forward in your healing journey. Here are some signs to look for: Sudden emotional outbursts such as crying or laughter. Changes in physical health, like reduced muscle tension or headaches.
Trauma is not physically held in the muscles or bones — instead, the need to protect oneself from perceived threats is stored in the memory and emotional centers of the brain, such as the hippocampus and amygdala. This activates the body whenever a situation reminds the person of the traumatic event(s).
Initial reactions to trauma can include exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anxiety, agitation, numbness, dissociation, confusion, physical arousal, and blunted affect. Most responses are normal in that they affect most survivors and are socially acceptable, psychologically effective, and self-limited.
Trauma massage therapy can alleviate pain by releasing muscle tension and improving blood circulation. Improves Mental Health This therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The physical touch and relaxation techniques help calm the nervous system and improve mental well-being.
Created by Gunilla Hamne and Ulf Sandstrom, the Trauma Tapping Technique is considered first aid for trauma. It is easy to learn and has the advantage of being primarily non-verbal. The process is a neurological intervention that helps the body quickly re-regulate itself should it get triggered or activated.
Grief massage helps a person heal by allowing them to shift out of the stress response and into the relaxation response. Following a major loss, grieving individuals often find it very difficult to relax on their own. Here's where a massage therapist can help. Massage Helps People Cope with the Loss of a Loved One.
Your Brain Releases Feel-Good Chemicals and Pain Diminishes
If you have real aches or pains, the morphine-like effect from the endorphins will help diminish them by blocking pain signals from the brain. And if your muscles are sore after a rigorous workout, a good rubdown will actually help them heal faster.
Release of Joint Tension: Sometimes, the popping sound signifies the release of tension within the joint. This can lead to an immediate feeling of relief and increased mobility, as the joint returns to its natural position and the surrounding muscles relax.
Treating trigger points requires seeing a massage therapist. So, how does a trigger point massage work? While there is no single type of massage labeled a “trigger point massage,” massage therapists can use a number of different techniques to loosen these knots, including myofascial release and deep tissue massage.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition that can develop after experiencing trauma. It's believed that trauma can be stored in the hips. This refers to holding emotional trauma in the psoas muscle. The body's response to trauma is complex.
Emotional blocks can have physical manifestations. Chronic stress or emotional suppression can lead to headaches, fatigue, and other physical ailments. For instance, a person dealing with unresolved grief may experience physical symptoms like body aches or digestive issues, further complicating their emotional health.
There's little evidence that EFT tapping is harmful, but you shouldn't use it to replace medical care with a trained professional. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment if you have depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition.
Through tapping, a patient uses their fingers to tap on a series of acupuncture points on the Chinese Medicine meridian lines. These lines are paths of energy throughout the body, on the head, face, hands and torso.
The short answer is: Yes, absolutely. Massage therapy alleviates physical pain and promotes relaxation. Massage therapists often target areas of the body where tension and emotions may be stored, which can trigger their release.
People with Osteoporosis and Cancer that has spread to the bones should avoid Deep Tissue Massage because it can cause fractures in your bones. If you have an open wound or a skin infection, then reschedule your appointment. This way, you avoid developing a new infection and prevent the condition from getting worse.
Deep tissue massage targets chronic tension in muscles that lie far below the body's surface. Deep muscle techniques involve slow strokes, direct pressure or friction movements that go across the muscle grain.
This can happen anywhere in the body, and for trauma survivors, it is most commonly held in the core of the body, the stomach, abdomen, and low back, as well as the upper torso, chest, shoulders, and spine.
But in my experience, emotional healing happens in seven stages: awareness, acceptance, processing, release, growth, integration, and transformation. We don't move through these seven stages in a straight line, but we do pass through them all eventually on the path to healing.