The Role of Massage in Physical Self-Care

In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, our bodies often carry what our minds cannot process. Stress, trauma, anxiety, and exhaustion don’t just live in our thoughts—they live in our muscles, our nervous systems, and our breath. One of the most overlooked yet profoundly effective ways to release this tension and reconnect with ourselves is through massage therapy.

Massage is not just a luxury or a one-time treat—it’s a powerful form of physical self-care and emotional healing. For those living with chronic stress or Complex PTSD, massage can offer more than relaxation. It can offer relief, release, and restoration.

Massage in Physical Self-Care and the Mind: Supporting Mental Well-being

Massage supports the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and restore” branch of your nervous system. When this system is activated, the body moves out of the fight-or-flight response and into a calmer, more balanced state. For people navigating trauma, anxiety, or burnout, this shift can be deeply healing.

Research and holistic practice have shown that massage can:

• Reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels

• Increase serotonin and dopamine (feel-good neurotransmitters)

• Improve sleep quality and digestion

• Help regulate emotions and mood swings

  
  

Trauma—especially Complex PTSD—often leads to chronic muscle tension, shallow breathing, and emotional disconnection. Massage offers a safe, embodied way to begin releasing these patterns.

Trauma-Informed Touch: Healing Through the Body

For those living with Complex PTSD or trauma, healing can’t happen solely through the mind. The body must also be involved. Our muscles often store unprocessed emotions and protective patterns. Through intentional, nurturing touch, massage can help release stored trauma and guide the body back to a sense of safety.

When approached with awareness and respect, massage becomes a trauma-sensitive self-care practice—inviting the nervous system to reset, the breath to deepen, and the body to soften. This physical release can often lead to powerful emotional breakthroughs.

Ayurvedic Pressure Point Massage: A Holistic Approach

One particularly powerful method Vivien recommends is Ayurvedic Pressure Point Massage. Rooted in ancient Indian healing traditions, this technique works on both the physical and energetic levels of the body.

In the UK, this treatment is offered by Health Space. Their full-body Ayurvedic massage includes stimulation of vital energy points, or marmas, across the body—helping to release blocked energy, both physical and emotional.

This practice is especially beneficial for anyone who has experienced emotional overwhelm, high levels of stress, or traumatic events.

“A relaxing full body massage, to include the face, is designed to release blocked energy (physical and emotional) and bring balance to the body and mind. Focusing on the stimulation of the vital energy mamma points spread all over the body and using specific massage techniques, this treatment works on the physical and energetic level of your being.” – Health Space UK

Simple Ways to Integrate Massage Into Your Life

If regular professional massage isn’t currently accessible, there are still gentle ways to invite this healing into your self-care routine:

🤲 1. Self-Massage

Use a warm oil (like coconut or sesame) and gently massage your hands, feet, or neck before bed. This can help calm the mind and prepare your body for rest.

💆 2. Breath and Body Awareness

Even placing your hands on your belly or heart and breathing deeply while seated or lying down can regulate the nervous system.

🛁 3. Combine with Aromatherapy

Use calming essential oils like lavender or frankincense during self-massage or in a warm bath to enhance relaxation.

📅 4. Schedule Time for Professional Care

When possible, prioritize scheduling a trauma-informed or Ayurvedic massage. It’s not just a treat—it’s part of your healing.

Final Thoughts: Healing Through Touch

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths or routines—it’s about coming home to yourself, especially after you’ve been through something that made you feel lost or disconnected.

Massage in physical self-care, when used intentionally, can be a powerful part of that homecoming. It allows the body to remember what safety feels like. It encourages the heart to soften. And for those living with trauma, it offers a compassionate path to restoration.

If this post resonates with you, dive deeper into this journey in my book Reinvent Yourself. And if you’re looking for support in applying these tools with like-minded peers, connect with me through Instagram or LinkedIn to learn more about my self-transformational program and how to be your best self.