Many people understand the physical benefits of a massage administered by a trained, experienced professional. While a massage can have a tremendous impact on chronic pain or help with injury prevention or recovery, it also has a positive physiological impact and can vastly improve a person’s mental health.
Since a massage impacts many systems in the body which all work together to help a person’s overall health, it should be no surprise there is a positive mental component as well. For this reason, massages are especially helpful for someone recovering from physical or emotional trauma and can be a key part of the recovery process.
As a trained and experienced massage therapist in the East Bay Area, I have had the pleasure of helping people recover quickly, prevent injury , reach their health goals and strengthen their mental health for many years.
In this article, I will address the aspects of a massage which have a positive impact on those who have been through a recent traumatic event. It is my hope to educate people on the benefits of massage therapy and to be able to help members of our community who are recovering.
Decreasing Muscle Tension
People who have experienced a traumatic event often feel physical pain as a result of the fear and anxiety which accompanies life after trauma. The feeling of being on-edge often leads to a great deal of muscle tension in areas of the body which can make it difficult to perform daily activities. In these cases, I am able to work with my clients to discuss their pain points and work out knots, loosen up tightness and help them to feel more flexibility and less discomfort which results from being more tense than they were before the trauma occurred. This freedom from trauma-associated pain can begin to help someone recover both physically and mentally.
Customized for the Patient’s Comfort
The key to successful massage therapy for trauma victims in many cases is a level of comfort with their therapist. I have experience in this area, and it’s my goal to make my clients feel comfortable from the first session. I take time to learn about their pain points, explain how massage can help and take slow steps at their pace. Ensuring comfort and trust is a priority for me, and it helps a great deal when working to help someone recover from trauma.
Help Restoring Sleep Patterns
Many trauma victims have difficulty sleeping regularly and for extended periods of time. A massage naturally helps with insomnia in many ways, and can help a person get the rest they need to recover. Improving blood flow, naturally increasing the body’s levels of melatonin, reducing tension and increasing the body’s ability to naturally relax are just a few ways a massage can help someone achieve better sleep.
If you have experienced trauma and feel massage therapy could be helpful, or you want to learn more about a plan to address your unique needs, give me a call today. I am here to help and hope to assist you on the road to recovery.
