Does massage release trapped emotions?

Author: Wendy Muller  |  Last update: Sunday, August 3, 2025

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.

What emotions are released during a massage?

Most people who receive massage regularly report feeling relief, a sense of peace or increased relaxation. However, some people may also experience a sudden rush of powerful emotion while receiving bodywork. Whether it is grief, euphoria, anger, fear or sadness, the phenomenon is known as an emotional release.

How do you get trapped emotions out of your body?

How to release emotions that are stuck in your body
  • Move : dancing, walking, jumping, yoga, or any other form of movement are all powerful releases.
  • Cry : let yourself feel your feelings.
  • Laugh : let yourself laugh like you did when you were a kid.
  • Scream
  • Write

Can trauma be released through massage?

Holistic Healing Trauma massage therapy addresses both physical and emotional aspects of trauma. By working through physical tension, it often leads to emotional release, promoting comprehensive healing. Reduces Physical Pain Many trauma survivors experience chronic pain.

Why did I cry after my massage?

Massage induces biochemical and energetic shifts by alleviating physical tension. This release can stir emotions and lead to tears, signaling a healthy, natural process of stress relief and emotional balance.

How to Release Emotions Trapped in Your Body 10/30 How to Process Emotions Like Trauma and Anxiety

What is body tapping for emotional release?

How to do EFT
  • Tap on the top, centre of your head.
  • Tap on the inside edge of one eyebrow.
  • Tap next to the outside edge of one eye.
  • Tap on the bone underneath one eye.
  • Tap between your nose and your upper lip.
  • Tap between your lower lip and your chin.

What does it feel like when trauma is released from the body?

Physical Sensations

Tingling or Warmth: You may feel tingling sensations or warmth in certain areas of your body as trauma is processed and released. Muscle Tension and Relaxation: Muscles that have been chronically tense due to trauma may suddenly relax, leading to a sensation of relief or heaviness.

Can massage release grief?

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.

What is a healing crisis after massage?

As the body detoxifies, it is not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms including dizziness and light-headedness, an odd or metallic taste in the mouth, headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, nausea, increased sweating, urination or defecation, chills, skin eruptions, itches or ...

How to unlock repressed emotions?

How to Release Repressed Emotions
  1. Say what you feel out loud in the moment.
  2. Use “I” statements that help you own your feelings (“I feel sad” or “I feel angry”).
  3. Eventually practice with friends and acquaintances in moments of conflict.

What are the symptoms of emotional blockage?

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.

Where is childhood trauma stored in the body?

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).

What is the most pleasurable type of massage?

The Most Relaxing Types of Massages
  • Swedish Massage. The most common type of massage therapy, Swedish massage will help to relax you with a combination of specific movements including: ...
  • Hot Stone Massage. Another very relaxing type of massage is the hot stone massage. ...
  • Chair Massage. ...
  • Aromatherapy Massage.

What chemical is released when you get a massage?

Increased endorphins, serotonin and dopamine hormones is a common benefit gained through massage. Endorphins, serotonin and dopamine are positive hormones that circulate around the body.

What part of the body holds grief?

Where do we hold grief in our body? Grief affects the entire body, including the organs, skin, brain, and tissues. It can create issues with muscle tenion, sleeping difficulties, and affect how the brain and body process information and emotions.

Can you release trauma through massage?

Massage therapy, the manual manipulation of soft body tissue to promote health and well-being, can provide relief from physical, emotional, and mental stress, and decrease levels of depression, anxiety, irritability, and other symptoms associated with trauma exposure (Collinge, Kahn, & Soltysik, 2012).

How do you release unprocessed grief?

Here are eight ways to overcome unresolved grief:
  1. Explore the Grief in Therapy. ...
  2. Acknowledge the Pain. ...
  3. Journal About the Loss. ...
  4. Join a Support Group. ...
  5. Read Books Written by Others Who Have Experienced Loss. ...
  6. Talk to Trusted Friends & Family. ...
  7. Develop Grief Rituals. ...
  8. Find New Meaning and Purpose in Your Life.

How do you release trapped trauma?

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques

Meditation encourages relaxation and mindfulness, helping individuals process and release trauma. Breathing exercises, such as deep breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, or box breathing, can calm the nervous system and reduce stress through deep breath.

Why is trauma stored in the hips?

The psoas muscle, which is located in the lower back and connects to the hip joint, is particularly susceptible to holding onto tension and trauma. When you experience a traumatic event, your body may instinctively contract and tighten the psoas muscle as a way of protecting itself.

What are the physical signs of emotional release?

Physical signs your body is releasing trauma include:
  • Muscle Tremors or Shaking. ...
  • Changes in Breathing Patterns. ...
  • Emotional Tears and Crying. ...
  • Yawning Frequently. ...
  • Sensations of Warmth or Heat. ...
  • Muscle Relaxation. ...
  • Improved Posture. ...
  • Gastrointestinal Changes.

What is an emotional release during massage?

Emotional release refers to the release of deeply held emotions such as sadness, anger, grief, or even joy during a massage or bodywork session. It can manifest as tears, laughter, or a profound sense of relief.

Why should tapping be avoided for anxiety?

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.

What is the Chinese tapping method?

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.

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