Laura Marr, RMT Student

According to Statistics Canada, there were 636,000 self-reported incidents of sexual assault in Canada. Due to sexual assault being one of the most underreported crimes, the actual number of assaults taking place may be staggeringly higher. Chances are, you know someone personally who has been affected by a non-consensual interaction, assault or rape. Additionally, one in 50 people deal with body dysmorphia, and anxiety is the most common mental illness in Canada.

Through my practice as a student of Registered Massage Therapy, it is my intention to empower, support and play a role in the healing process of individuals nursing invisible wounds from trauma, anxiety and forms of negative body image. I strive to facilitate a trauma informed space of healing where I listen with both ears and hands to create a tailor-made treatment for each individual’s body and story. Each of us have different injuries, histories and narratives that should be honoured in every massage treatment session.

Massage not only offers innumerable physical benefits for survivors of trauma, but it also allow survivors a way to reconnect with their bodies and begin to heal the wounds hidden deep within. For those battling forms of poor body image, there is a disconnect between the mind and body which often lead to forms of low self-esteem, self-isolation and intimacy issues. For some, experiencing a massage session might be their healthy risk-taking, a reawakening of body memory, and the very first time they are receiving intentional, supportive touch solely for their self-care and healing process. Witnessing clients returning to, and reclaiming, their bodies is the utmost honour for me as a massage therapist.

Registered Massage Therapy is known to help physical ailments such as necks that have been slept on funny, tight hamstrings and wrists that do too much computer work, but I have found that the lesser known benefits of massage are over-looked or unknown to most of the general public. These benefits include assisting Individuals healing from trauma and body image issues reconnect with what I call “good touch,” meaning supportive healthcare and the reintegration mind and body. These individuals can benefit greatly from receiving registered massage therapy because the sessions offer a safe space where people can experience healthy and consensual touch in a body-positive environment. A large portion of the population is carrying invisible trauma from past non-consensual interactions, disordered eating, abusive childhoods and generalized anxiety.

It is of importance to note that Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are manual therapists and provide therapy for physical ailments. RMTs are not trained to provide emotional therapy or give advice, however RMTs are primary healthcare providers who are educated on mental health issues, are trauma-informed, and are able to empathize and participate as a soundboard during your massage sessions. The addition of a psychologist or counsellor to your health team and healing journey may be a good idea if it’s available to you.

Receiving massage might seem counterintuitive for some trauma survivors as touch, human interaction, and attention to one’s body may have been part of the traumatic experience, onset of anxiety or body image issues.

However, here are some of the ways that massage can help:

Relaxes the nervous system:

Trauma increases anxiety and stress, which stimulates our sympathetic nervous system (also known as fight or flight mode). This also increases our stress hormones, and ultimately keeps us in a state of distress affecting daily activities, digestion, immune response, and mental and physical health. This can lead to invisible wounds throughout the entire body, spanning many of the body’s systems. Massage supports and activates the parasympathetic nervous system - the system that allows us to rest and digest - by providing stimulus that is intentionally present, caring and safe. This activation increases relaxation, decreases feelings of anxiety, helps circulation, regulates digestion, unravels muscle tension and has positive effects on stress hormones.

Helps you re-learn safe touch:

As a trauma informed massage therapist, I understand that touch is a sensitive subject for those with history of trauma. I want my clients to know that during their session I am completely on their side, give unconditional positive regard, maintain dignity, and support each individual’s process. No two people have the same story, same body, or same experiences. Each client I see deserves and receives a tailor-made treatment based on client input, boundaries and indications. The client is in complete control of the session at all times, and consent can be given and retracted throughout the session to ensure they are empowered to communicate what happens to their body. Receiving safe touch after having experienced a traumatic event is an important part of healing. Through massage, positive pathways and patterns in the brain can be relearned and supported. Massage can help the individual begin to trust others again and recognize the difference between good and bad touch.

Self-empowerment:

During the treatment, I encourage patients to provide input during the session by offering many opportunities for them to voice their needs, opinions, and experience. For example, I will ask about pressure, temperature levels, whether they would like a blanket, what areas they would like to focus on. Often in abusive situations, survivors may have needed to stay quiet or were unable to speak up in order to save their lives. People dealing with anxiety and body image issues often also feel silenced and confined within their mental illness. In both cases, stigma and shame silence many individuals. In a supportive, safe massage space, clients have complete authority over their bodies and they are able to reclaim their voice and express their needs.

Self-love:

Once physical and nervous systems are reconnected through massage, the client can begin to feel that their body is safe and worthy of self-love after last trauma and/or poor self-image. This shift in perspective can lead individuals to seeing self-care practices such as massage, stretching and breath work (which can all be provided in a massage therapy session) as vehicles for self-healing and a way of connecting to their bodies through listening and responding to their bodies with the love that they deserve. By allowing beneficial, therapeutic and pleasurable experiences such as registered massage therapy, you are showing your Self and your body that you are worthy of good touch, positive relationships and self-love. This may counteract feelings of worthlessness, depression and low self-esteem often associated with trauma survivors, anxious individuals and those battling negative body image issues. In a way, Massage is an introduction to strategies that people can take home with them so that they are able to cope, continue their healing and make the mind, body and nervous system connection on their own.

*I acknowledge that every person has a healing journey that is unique and that perhaps not everyone will benefit from massage as a form of therapy for trauma, anxiety or negative body image. I do not guarantee massage therapy will help everyone dealing with trauma, anxiety or negative body image and in some cases may even exacerbate symptoms. Contact your doctor before starting a new form of therapy.

If you are interested in booking a session with me or would like more info, please email me at laura.rmtstudent@gmail.com

If you are interested in finding an RMT in your area visit www.rmtbc.ca

If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be please call 1800SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433e

massage therapy: healthy touch for individuals healing from trauma, anxiety and negative body image