It’s common to think of massage therapy as a service to treat pain or relieve stress and tension, but for many clients, massage therapy can offer an effective path towards coping with the symptoms related to emotional, physical, or mental trauma. This is particularly true for individuals who are dealing with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
If you, or a loved one, are suffering from PTSD, massage therapy can provide another layer of care by alleviating stress, physical pain, and tension commonly associated with PTSD.
What is PTSD?
PTSD refers to a psychiatric condition that occurs after someone has experienced a traumatic event. Originally, PTSD was associated with individuals who were engaged in war or combat, but over time, psychiatrists have found that PTSD can affect individuals who have witnessed or experienced other traumatic events, including sexual assault, serious or life-altering accidents or injuries, abuse, or natural disasters.
Like many conditions that affect our emotional and mental life, PTSD symptoms can manifest differently for everyone. For example, some people may experience debilitating flashbacks and nightmares, while others may have intense feelings of fear, anger, sadness, anxiety, depression, or stress.
These feelings can last well beyond the initial event and can make it difficult for individuals to engage in daily activities, maintain relationships, or otherwise move forward with their life.
Though PTSD is associated with mental and emotional pain, over time, those symptoms can also lead to physical pain and other conditions, including joint pain, muscle pain and tension, headaches, nausea, an increased heart rate, and hypertension.
Is massage therapy good for PTSD?
Combined, the emotional, mental, and physical effects of PTSD can be debilitating. Treating PTSD, therefore, often means taking an integrative approach to medicine.
Traditionally, many PTSD patients turn to their psychiatrists and physicians to treat symptoms, but massage therapy is becoming an increasingly popular complement to treatment or management.
Massage therapy relieves symptoms commonly associated with PTSD, like pain, tension, digestive issues, and anxiety. However, if you’re looking for an alternative or additional form of treatment, then a regular massage may be just what you need to help you on your journey towards healing.
If you are considering massage therapy for PTSD, keep in mind that the goal is to find peace, comfort, and relief. That means being aware of your comfort level and any circumstances that may trigger intense emotions.
As such, it’s essential to communicate any concerns or limits you may have with your therapist before the beginning of your session. Doing so will assist your therapist in determining the best treatment plan and allow you to experience the benefit you deserve.
What type of massage is best for PTSD?
As if often the case for massage therapy, the best massage service for you depends on your unique needs; however, some services may prove to be more efficient when coping with the symptoms associated with PTSD:
Swedish Massage
During a Swedish massage, your therapist will use their fingers, palms, and forearms to apply gentle-to-medium pressure to your arms, legs, back, neck, and shoulders to ease tension, increase blood flow, and help your body and mind relax. This type of massage therapy is also known to improve sleep, lower anxiety, and reduce stress.
Reflexology
Reflexology is an ancient form of massage therapy that focuses on the relationship between your hands and feet and other organs and systems in the body. During this massage, your therapist will apply pressure to specific points on your feet and hands to stimulate nerve endings to address pain and tension throughout the entire body. Reflexology is an excellent option if you want to experience the benefits of massage therapy without a full-body massage.
Lomi Lomi Massage
The Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage blends techniques from Swedish and Deep tissue massage with spirituality and love. During this massage, your therapist will use various levels of pressure and strokes to relax muscles and address energy or circulation blockages.
In addition, they’ll work with you to focus on slow, deep, and healing breaths. Because this service focuses on the body, mind, and spirit, clients often consider the Lomi Lomi massage one of the most healing services we offer.
CBD Massage
Massage therapy alone can help improve your mental and physical state, but CBD can take your experience to the next level. Often credited with providing relief from chronic pain and anxiety, CBD oil can calm your mind without the psychoactive effect of THC.
When combined with massage therapy—typically Swedish or Deep Tissue techniques—you can expect healing relief from pain, tension, and stress that lasts for several hours.
Living with PTSD can be a constant challenge, but regular massage therapy can provide relief and help you heal and regain control of your mind and body.
If you’re considering massage therapy as a way to cope with or treat PTSD, call us today. We’ll be happy to discuss our services, including those above, and help you find one that best suits your needs.