Somatic massages help you release trauma in your body by working with the nervous system. When you receive a somatic massage, the therapist will work to release any patterns of tension that may be stored in your body.
Trauma massage therapy is a specialized form of massage designed to help individuals heal from physical and emotional trauma. It integrates various techniques to address deep-seated tensions and promote overall well-being.
Healing deep emotional wounds is a process that requires time, patience, and self-compassion. It's important to acknowledge the pain and hurt you are feeling, practice self-compassion, seek support, practice mindfulness, engage in activities that bring you joy, allow yourself to feel, and be patient.
Summary: Trauma-informed massage therapy is an approach to practice and not a massage technique. It's built upon four principles: trauma awareness, safety and trust, collaborative choice and connection, and strength-based skill-building.
Trauma-informed approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mentalization-based therapy (MBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can help address trauma-related distress, including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression.
The massage techniques most commonly used to reduce stress include deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and therapeutic massage. A deep tissue massage is used to reduce stress. A deep tissue massage focuses on the deeper layers within soft tissues.
Certain skin conditions, such as open wounds, burns, rashes, or contagious skin infections (like impetigo or fungal infections), should not be treated with massage. Even non-contagious skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema may be aggravated by massage if not handled carefully.
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.
Whenever you experience something shocking, traumatic, or that you (consciously or subconsciously) perceive as a threat, your psoas muscle constricts and 'locks in' the tension in the body. Once the tension energy is contracted into the body it stays there.
By concentrating on what's happening in your body, you can release pent-up trauma-related energy through shaking, crying, and other forms of physical release. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you process and evaluate your thoughts and feelings about a trauma.
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.
In layman's terms, Aescape provides you with a personalized session that swaps out a human massage therapist for a table that's equipped with two robotic arms for double the bodywork in half the time.
Body-based methods like yoga and massage help release muscle tension stored from trauma. Yoga incorporates mindful movement and breathing, which calms the nervous system, while massage therapy targets deeper muscle layers, alleviating physical stress and promoting relaxation.
So just why can EMDR be controversial? Tuono-Shell said there are various reasons, including questions around if EMDR is evidence based, if it will make mental health issues worse, if it's a form of hypnosis, and if it's only for treating PTSD. For example, some may think it's a hoax.
Opioids are considered the cornerstone for the treatment of severe pain in emergency trauma patients.
Massage therapy for trauma release is rarely a one-and-done treatment option. The body needs time and repetition to remember that it can let go of the trauma and move into optimal health. Most of the time, it's best to work with a trauma-informed mental health provider in conjunction with massage.
TRE exercises explained
The TRE programme works by focusing on deep muscle memory. It uses seven core activities – including muscle stretches – in a process which “activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system.”
How does PTSD massage help? During a trauma massage session, the massage therapist addresses muscles, muscle groups, tendons, and soft tissues to loosen up tightness, work out knots and trigger points, and create more flexibility and movement for the client.