How Massage Therapy Aids the Path to Trauma Recovery

Tension and other physical symptoms are frequently experienced when mourning the loss of someone, or something significant. These symptoms include fatigue, headaches, general malaise, lack of sleep, lack of appetite – which are symptoms tied to the sympathetic nervous systems. It is interesting to discover how our body, subconsciously, has its own way of recognizing and responding to these negative symptoms. This loss we experience triggers our sympathetic nervous system’s fight-flight-freeze response, as  it perceives loss as a kind of threat to our norm which, consequently, tenses our muscles and releases stress hormones. If prolonged, the emotional trauma can manifest as physical discomfort.

Some research, which can be found here, stipulates how massage therapy “offers the additional benefit of therapeutic touch and can be an important part of helping those dealing with a loss”. Relaxation techniques may be beneficial to include in bereavement programs – as an example, a therapeutic back massage was found to be beneficial in reducing stress and “increases the natural killer cell production in spouses of palliative care patients.” These cells work to defend us as integral components of our innate immune system.

Through massage therapy, according to this article, the power of touch is especially important. It is perceived that touch may be the more immediate need for many people in moments of trauma. It can bring someone a greater sense of grounding which may better prepare them to move through emotional healing, whether it be through counselling, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, or the like. There are many paths to healing, and there is not a universal combination that works for everyone. We are fortunate to live in a time where there are numerous modalities of treatment available to us – mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. There is a particular complementary combination of effective healing practices for everyone – we just have to seek what is best suited for us.

Broadway Wellness is a multi-disciplinary clinic in Vancouver, BC offering Registered Massage Therapy and Naturopathic Medicine since 2004. If you would like to visit any of our practitioners to tend to concerns relating to healing emotional and physical traumas, please feel free to book online, or give us a call at 604-732-5222.

 

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