Trauma, Touch, and Ensuring a Safe Massage Experience

Massage is a wonderful way to relieve pain and reduce stress and anxiety. The soothing release of muscle tension can calm both the mind and body. However, massage is intrinsically related to touch. For those who have experienced trauma related to touch, particularly if it was perpetrated by someone they trust, massage can sometimes trigger difficult memories or cause a negative reaction in the body.

Does that mean anyone with a history of trauma should steer clear of massage therapy? No, it doesn’t. Those who have experienced trauma can benefit greatly from massage, but we do have some tips on navigating the massage experience to ensure it remains a safe, comfortable, and empowering time.

What to expect at your initial appointment

Each new client at Resonance completes some paperwork prior to their first appointment, and your massage therapist will review that paperwork with you before your first massage. In that paperwork, we ask if there are any areas of the body you would like us to avoid or any questions you have about massage.

This initial paperwork and appointment is the best time to open a conversation about your needs during the massage. While details of the trauma experience are not necessary, knowing that you’ve experienced trauma can help us tailor our process and massage to make this a safe space.

Let us know how we can accommodate you during each massage. For some, it may mean remaining fully clothed during the massage. For others, avoiding certain areas or using much lighter pressure may be best. Perhaps the best accommodation is constant communication and checking to ensure you are doing okay throughout the massage.

Communicate any discomfort during a massage

During massages, we encourage clients to speak up. This is true with any massage but especially if the massage is causing any discomfort, whether physical or emotional. Because we know speaking up can be a challenge for some who have experienced trauma, we will check in with you regularly during the massage to be sure you’re doing okay.

At Resonance, safety is one of our top priorities, and we understand that may look a little different for some clients. Our team is caring and compassionate and will tailor the massage to your specific needs.