Massage Therapy: How it Heals us ✨

Happy Friday everyone!

I wanted to talk about some of the conversations I've had lately with some fellow massage therapists; the important and unique role massage therapy plays in our healing journey and some of the unique experiences massage therapists deal with on a daily basis.

First I want to say that being a massage therapist is one of the greatest gifts I’ve experienced in my life. Never could I imagine having a front row seat into someone’s life as they navigate physical and emotional healing and the many ups and downs that come with it. Massage Therapy doesn’t just heal physical pain, but emotional pain as well. Next spring I’ll have spent 5 years in this incredible profession and I’ve seen more than just physical healing happen in my clients lives. It’s such a gift to be a part of someone’s healing journey and have someone trust me throughout the process; that being said, to be such an intimate part of someone’s life often causes emotional burnout. There’s a sense of heaviness that comes with the territory as you relieve someone of their burdens, and often times you take them on yourself as you facilitate their healing. Energy transference is a real thing. We’ve all heard the saying that laughter is contagious, negativity spreads or one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. There’s a reason why we are so affected by those around us, and when someone comes in for a massage with chronic pain, emotional baggage or unresolved trauma, the massage therapist can feel that. I wouldn’t trade this profession for the world, but there is a lot of responsibility to take someone into your care in such an intimate way.

There’s a lot of preconceived ideas about what massage therapy is and how it works, mostly from people who don’t work in the field. Many people believe that massage therapy isn’t healthcare but a luxury, and that deep tissue should hurt. Being in the profession, I want to debunk these myths. Massage shouldn’t hurt, and many times clients come in who are so out of touch with their bodies that the only way they feel satisfied is by going through a pain that reflects their state of mind. There’s a disconnect between their mind and body. They feel pain in their body. They have inflammation everywhere, and instead of aggressively digging into them, what they really need is peace, peace in their mind and in their body. There’s a way to get deep into the muscles tissue in a gentle way, that will give your mind time to process the touch and the healing that comes with it. I also know that massage therapy is healthcare, but it’s so much more than that; it’s whole-body wellness.

People have gone into the doctor and been told they need surgery, and end up getting the surgery because they think that’s the quickest way to relieve their pain; but I know for a fact that massage therapy can help people heal without going under the knife. I believe we need to go back to natural means of healing, a holistic approach, before we consider surgery or pills. Massage therapy not only moves muscle, relieves chronic pain, or helps change dysfunction in the body, but it also helps gives you peace of mind in a world that thrives on stress and overstimulation. Many people have such busy lives that they don’t know how to relax, they don’t know what their body feels like when it’s not in a state of stress and adrenal fatigue. That’s why I value relaxation massage so much.

Relaxation can be extremely beneficial in a world that doesn’t know how to relax, and in a world that wants us to always be busy and distracted. Americans are bad at life in a way. We stress the best years of our life away and ignore the signs and symptoms that we are out of alignment within ourselves. There’s a reason why most people, even children, are on some form of anti-anxiety medication now. It’s a sign that we are not finding enough balance in our lives, and that our society thrives on making people stressed and anxious. Finding time to simply relax opens our mind up and allows us to focus on our inner selves. When we reach a deep state of relaxation our brains enter an Alpha/Theta frequency that opens our minds to a state of reflection, meditation and creativity. There are times when we need to be alert and keep those lists in check, and there are times when we need to reflect, meditate and get in touch with our creative side; everything in balance.

What are your personal experiences with massage therapy? How does it help you? Have you ever had an emotional release during a massage, and how has massage healed you? Share your story!