When we experience something positive—like receiving a dream birthday cake—our senses help us take in the full experience. You might remember the bright colours, the smell of the frosting, the joy in your chest. Your brain, especially the hippocampus, organizes all that information into a coherent story: “On my sixth birthday, I got a unicorn cake with white icing. It tasted like cotton candy. I was so happy.”

But when something traumatic happens—a car accident, a fall, an assault, or even chronic stress—the process is very different.

When it comes to healing from trauma—whether physical, emotional, or both - the journey often starts by tuning into the body. As a massage therapist, I’ve seen first hand how the simple act of touch can create a powerful shift. It’s not just about relieving muscle tension; it’s about helping the nervous system find its balance again, especially for those healing from challenging experiences.

Importantly, trauma-informed massage does not involve reliving or discussing past traumatic events. Instead, it focuses on gently and respectfully tracking sensations in the body as tension is released. This ensures that tension is not released too aggressively, which could cause the body to revert to its protective holding pattern.