While there are many modalities of
Many therapists believe that by relieving muscle tension with a deep tissue massage, they will release emotions and therefore help to heal trauma.
Deep tissue massage relieves tension in the muscles and fascia, potentially unlocking stored emotions. As the body relaxes and “lets go” physically, a corresponding emotional release can also occur.
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.
Issues like stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation, or other digestive problems can manifest when the body begins to process and let go of trauma. These symptoms reflect the body's attempt to expel stress and restore balance.
That feeling is what psychologists refer to as catharsis, a powerful release that can be a tool for processing your emotions and alleviating psychological distress.
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.
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.
Crying can cause your body to produce hormones that make you feel better. You release oxytocin and endorphins after you cry, which can help lift your mood. If you feel emotional comfort when you cry, your mood can improve afterward.
Clients often feel a profound sense of relief as the muscles relax as trapped emotions are released. Massage therapy has been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters responsible for promoting happiness and well-being.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you process and evaluate your thoughts and feelings about a trauma. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation that can “unfreeze” traumatic memories.
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.
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. This can help to break down any barriers that have been preventing you from processing trauma.
Signs of trauma release include changes in breathing patterns, muscle relaxation, emotional expression, and increased energy. —whether it's through stretching, dancing, or even yoga. This urge is your body's natural way of helping you release trapped energy.
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.
So, these three parts of the brain- the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex- are the most-affected areas of the brain from emotional trauma. They can make a trauma survivor constantly fearful, especially when triggered by events and situations that remind them of their past trauma.
Understanding Trauma and the Body
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. When a person experiences a traumatic event, the fight, flight, or freeze response is activated.
Participate in mindful movement every day
Taking the time to be active every day can help relieve the physical pain of grief. Mind-body activities (like yoga, tai chi, or qigong) can be particularly helpful in relaxing the body and reversing the effects of stress and anxiety.
Suppressing our feelings can lead to exacerbated depression, anxiety, panic attacks and other mental health issues. Since so many of us have been taught to suppress our emotions, we're trying to cope with life while these feelings are wreaking havoc on our balance and peace.