Touch is one of the most fundamental ways we connect with others and ourselves. However, for individuals who’ve experienced trauma, touch can feel overwhelming or unsafe. Trauma-informed massage offers a gentle, supportive approach to healing by honouring boundaries, fostering safety, and helping the body release stored tension.
Why Safe Touch Matters in Healing
Trauma can disrupt our relationship with our bodies, leading to disconnection, tension, or a sense of mistrust. Safe touch helps to rebuild this connection by offering:
A Sense of Safety: Trauma-informed massage prioritises your comfort and control, creating an environment where you can relax and feel secure.
Support for Nervous System Regulation: Gentle, intentional touch can signal to the body that it’s safe to shift out of fight-or-flight mode into a state of calm and recovery.
Release of Stored Tension: Trauma often lives in the body, manifesting as tight muscles or chronic pain. Massage can help release these patterns, paving the way for healing.
Why Regular Massage Matters
While a single session can feel transformative, lasting results often come from regular massage. Trauma affects the nervous system over time, and healing also requires consistency.
With each session, your body learns to relax more deeply, integrate the benefits, and maintain a state of balance for longer periods. Regular appointments help:
Reinforce the sense of safety and calm cultivated during each session.
Gradually release deeply held patterns of tension or trauma stored in the body.
Build a stronger connection to your body, supporting overall resilience and well-being.
How the Vagus Nerve Fits In
Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory highlights the importance of the vagus nerve in regulating the nervous system. Trauma-informed massage can help activate this nerve, encouraging a shift into a calm, regulated state. Over time, with regular sessions, this activation strengthens the nervous system’s capacity to maintain balance and recover from stress.
Always eager to learn, I'm currently reading Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us by Stephen W. Porges and Seth Porges. This book thoughtfully examines the impact of safety and trauma on our emotional experiences. It offers insights that could aid in understanding personal growth and well-being. I would recommend it over his other books, as it is more approachable than the more clinical and scientific work, The Polyvagal Theory.
How to Get the Most Out of Trauma-Informed Massage
If you’re considering trying this approach, here are some tips:
Communicate Your Needs: Share your preferences, boundaries, and any concerns with your therapist before the session.
Start Slow: Building trust takes time, and it’s okay if your journey begins without touch at all. Some clients prefer to use initial sessions to build a relationship with the therapist, focusing on conversation or grounding exercises. Others may start with clothed treatments to feel more secure before progressing to oiled massages or deeper bodywork. This gradual approach ensures that each step feels safe and empowering.
Commit to Regularity: Consistent sessions can deepen the benefits and help your body feel more attuned to safety and relaxation over time.
Integrate with Other Healing Modalities: Trauma-informed massage pairs beautifully with practices like Quantum Energy Coaching (QEC), breathwork, or mindfulness for holistic recovery.
The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Massage
Clients often report feeling:
More grounded: Touch can anchor you in the present moment, helping you feel more connected to your body.
Relief from physical symptoms: Chronic tension, headaches, and pain often improve with regular sessions.
Emotionally lighter: Releasing stored trauma in the body can bring a sense of emotional relief and clarity.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how the nervous system responds to trauma allows us to tailor healing approaches that honour the body’s needs. As Dr. Porges reminds us, “Safety is the treatment.” Through trauma-informed massage, we can create a sanctuary of safety, helping the nervous system reset and opening the door to meaningful healing.
Safe, compassionate touch has a unique power to support trauma recovery. Through trauma-informed massage, you can reconnect with your body, find relief from stored tension, and take meaningful steps toward healing. Regular sessions can amplify these benefits, giving your nervous system the time and consistency it needs to regulate and heal.
If you’re curious about how trauma-informed massage can help on your healing journey, I’d be honoured to support you. Feel free to reach out or book a session to explore this transformative approach.
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