How Massage Therapy Can Help Manage PTSD

In recent years, there’s been a growing understanding of how trauma, especially in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), isn’t just a psychological burden — it’s deeply embedded in our physical bodies. This concept, championed by trauma experts like Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in his influential book The Body Keeps the Score, suggests that trauma lives within our muscles, nerves, and tissues. 

 

For those living with PTSD, this means their bodies may be in a constant state of stress, even when their minds are attempting to heal. Massage therapy, a gentle yet powerful tool, is becoming increasingly (and rightly!) recognised for its ability to help release trauma held within the body and support people in reclaiming a sense of peace. 

 

PTSD (which stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is often understood through its common symptoms: flashbacks, hypervigilance, nightmares, and mood disturbances. These symptoms, however, are only part of the picture. People with PTSD often experience physical symptoms — chronic muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, and a general sense of bodily discomfort. This connection is no accident; trauma disrupts the autonomic nervous system, leading the body to operate in a near-constant “fight or flight” mode. This heightened state can keep people feeling stuck in survival mode, even long after the initial trauma has passed. 

 

Research supports the idea that trauma is not just in the mind but embedded within the body. Our bodies, in essence, remember trauma, and this “body memory” can keep us physically and emotionally stuck in patterns of fear and stress. Massage therapy offers a means of gently addressing these physical responses, potentially helping to release deeply held tension and communicate a message of safety and relaxation to the body 

 

One of the most powerful benefits of massage therapy is the safe, compassionate space it provides. Many people with PTSD struggle to feel safe within their own bodies and in the world around them. Skilled massage therapists understand that the therapeutic relationship is a cornerstone of healing. They often work collaboratively with clients to set boundaries and establish trust, allowing the person to feel in control of their body and surroundings. This safe space enables the body to relax and let go of some of the defensive postures it has held to protect itself. 

 

Unlike other therapies that may focus more on talk, massage relies on nonverbal communication through touch. This gentle approach allows individuals with PTSD to be seen and acknowledged in a different way, helping them feel safe without needing to relive traumatic memories verbally. Feeling safe enough to be present in the moment is a powerful first step towards healing. 

 

 

One of the major challenges with PTSD is an overactive nervous system. People with PTSD often have a “hyped-up” nervous system, feeling constantly on edge or “triggered.” This constant state of vigilance can be exhausting and, over time, detrimental to overall health. Massage therapy can help bring the nervous system back into balance by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for rest and relaxation. 

 

When we experience touch through massage, it can help shift the body’s reaction from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.” Slow, rhythmic strokes and gentle pressure during a massage session stimulate the vagus nerve, which is integral in managing heart rate, digestion, and mood. By stimulating the vagus nerve, massage can help lower cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone) and increase the production of serotonin and dopamine, the “feel-good” chemicals. 

 

 

Trauma can manifest as physical tension in specific parts of the body, often areas like the shoulders, neck, back, or abdomen. Over time, this tension can become so habitual that people are barely aware of it, but it contributes significantly to their overall sense of discomfort. For example, someone who has experienced trauma may unconsciously hold their body in a certain way as a protective mechanism. Massage therapy works to soften these areas, gently coaxing the body to release tension that has built up over time. 

 

 

For individuals with PTSD, becoming more aware of their own body can be an important and healing experience. Trauma can create a disconnection between mind and body, as if the person is “numb” or dissociated from physical sensations. Massage can help people gently reconnect with their bodies, encouraging them to be present with how they feel in a way that’s safe and nonjudgmental. 

 

Being mindful of physical sensations without feeling overwhelmed can teach clients how to tune into their bodies with curiosity rather than fear. With each session, they may learn to recognise where they hold tension or pain and how different parts of their body respond to touch and relaxation. This growing awareness helps individuals feel more at home in their own bodies, a feeling many with PTSD have lost. 

 

 

The process of relaxing physical tension can sometimes lead to an emotional release, which can be transformative for people with PTSD. When we’re touched in a therapeutic setting, it’s not unusual for feelings or memories to surface. This is because emotions are often linked to the physical body. Massage therapy offers a safe environment for clients to release and process these emotions without judgment. Therapists are trained to provide support during these moments, allowing individuals to let go of pent-up emotions that may have been stored within their bodies for years. 

 

It’s important to note that this emotional release doesn’t always happen right away, and not every massage session will bring up such experiences. But even without conscious memory or emotional surfacing, the body’s relaxation response is a profound form of release on its own, creating a sense of emotional peace and renewal. 

 

 

Think you could benefit from massage? Contact our friendly team today to book an appointment, we’d love to help you.