Healing from Within

"Learning to know yourself through the felt sense is a first step toward healing trauma."
– Waking the Tiger, Peter Levine

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.

Massage therapy is more than just a relaxation tool - it’s a bridge to body-awareness and healing. When provided in a safe, compassionate environment, massage can regulate the nervous system, ease stress, and offer a deep sense of comfort. For many, it’s a chance to reconnect with themselves and restore a sense of safety, which may have been lost during trauma.

Touch That Heals

One of the most powerful aspects of massage therapy is its ability to regulate the nervous system through touch. When you experience touch that is gentle, supportive, and consistent, your body starts to rewire its response to stress. This is especially helpful for those who have experienced trauma, whether from a car accident, difficult childhood experiences, or emotional neglect.

Touch is inherently soothing, but when delivered with mindfulness and compassion, it fosters a sense of safety and presence in the body. This type of healing touch helps rebuild trust in yourself, promoting emotional healing, and giving you the tools to feel more grounded and connected. It’s through this process that people can begin to regain control over their own bodies.

The Power of Interoception

Massage therapy helps build what’s known as interoception, or the ability to perceive internal sensations. Interoception is your body’s “view from the inside,” allowing you to feel and understand what’s going on inside - your muscles, organs, heart rate, and breath. The more you tune into these internal sensations, the better equipped you become to regulate your emotions and physical responses.

As massage therapists, we have the privilege of guiding you to notice these subtle sensations. By gently engaging with your muscles and tissues, we help you become more aware of where tension or discomfort exists in your body. This process not only helps release physical tension but also encourages mindfulness, allowing you to tune in to your body's cues.

When I notice tension in your muscles, I may point it out to you and invite a conversation about how the pressure feels. Does it feel too light, too deep, or just right? This helps you connect with your body’s sensations while also building resilience around consent - the ability to ask for what you need in a safe space. It's empowering to be able to ask for lighter or deeper pressure or even to pause a technique if it doesn't feel right.

Likewise, when I notice a relaxation responses in your body, I may point that out to you as well, helping you tune into the parasympathetic nervous system’s calming effects. This helps reinforce the body’s ability to relax and heal—showing you that the “tiger” (the stress or trauma) is no longer in the room.

Coregulation: When Our Bodies Sync

Something powerful happens during a massage session: our nervous systems co-regulate. This means that when I enter a room grounded, calm, and focused on creating a healing space for you, my nervous system helps regulate yours. If you’re feeling anxious or tense when you arrive, my calm demeanour, steady breathing, and gentle touch can help trigger a relaxation response in your body. It’s a natural process where our bodies sync up emotionally and physically, allowing you to feel more at ease without having to do much of anything at all.

It’s like a dance between two people, where my calm energy supports yours. This process of co-regulation can be incredibly healing, especially for those who’ve been through difficult emotional experiences. It’s about creating a safe space where your nervous system can find balance and ease.

Self-Care and the Therapist's Role

As a massage therapist, one of my roles is to ensure that my own body and nervous system are in a healthy state; ready to provide you with the best care. For me, this means regular self-care—whether it’s taking five minutes for meditation, going for a walk, talking to loved ones, or attending my own appointments with various types of therapists, these practices help me stay present, grounded, and ready to engage.

When I walk into the room to care for you, I bring my knowledge, experience, and a nervous system that’s in a state of calm. This allows me to show up not just as a technician but as a compassionate witness to your body’s needs, creating a space where healing can happen.

The process of healing is deeply personal, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Massage therapy provides a unique opportunity to connect with your body, rebuild trust, and regulate your nervous system. Through compassionate touch and a focus on building interoception and resilience, we can work together to help you heal from the inside out.

When you leave a session, you may feel more relaxed, more connected, and more in tune with yourself. You’ll be better equipped to listen to your body’s signals and respond with self-compassion. And as you continue this journey, you’ll find that the tiger of past traumas no longer controls the room—it’s been replaced with a deep sense of safety and peace within yourself.

If you’re ready to start your healing journey, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Learn more about me here.