What massage releases emotional trauma?

Author: Dr. Stephanie Lesch Sr.  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

While there are many modalities of somatic therapy, somatic massage therapy is particularly effective for those struggling with trauma. Somatic massage therapy is a type of bodywork that focuses on the physical and emotional health of the client.

What type of massage is best for releasing trauma?

Many therapists believe that by relieving muscle tension with a deep tissue massage, they will release emotions and therefore help to heal trauma.

What massage releases emotions?

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.

How do you release trauma from the body?

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.

What are the physical symptoms of emotional release?

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.

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

What is an intense emotional release called?

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.

Where is emotional trauma stored in the body?

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.

What are somatic exercises to release trauma?

Somatic movement exercises, such as shaking or rocking, encourage the body to release held trauma, restoring the natural flow of energy.
  • Breathwork. ...
  • Emotional Release Techniques. ...
  • Mindful Movement. ...
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) ...
  • Creative Expression.

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.

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 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 happy chemicals are released when you cry?

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.

Can massage release trapped emotions?

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.

What therapy is used to let go of trauma?

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.

What are 3 instances when massage is not recommended?

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.

How to release trauma trapped in the body?

How to heal trauma in the body
  1. Cognitive processing therapy. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a common therapy option for healing trauma. ...
  2. Prolonged exposure therapy. ...
  3. EMDR. ...
  4. Somatic Experiencing (SE™) ...
  5. Certain types of talk therapy. ...
  6. A movement practice.

What massage technique releases trauma?

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.

What are the symptoms of body releasing 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.

How to release 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 muscles hold emotional trauma?

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.

What part of the brain is damaged from emotional trauma?

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.

What emotion is stored in the hips?

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.

How to release grief from the body?

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.

What happens when you suppress your emotions for too long?

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.

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