The Purpose and Benefits of Somatic Massage

The term somatic refers to looking at the body from the inside out rather than from the outside in. Somatic psychology focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself. There are a variety of somatic practices that people use in an attempt to relieve stress and tension in their bodies and to heal from the trauma their bodies are holding onto. 

Somatic practices include body scanning, breathwork, yoga, and dancing. While many somatic practices can be done independently, other somatic practices such as somatic massage are best done by professionals. 

The purpose of somatic practices is to work on improving the mind-body connection so they can work together to heal you from the inside out. The ideas of somatic practices are rooted in body psychotherapy concepts and as a result, somatic bodywork such as somatic massages has increased in popularity over the years (1).

Pioneers of somatic practices believe that our early childhood experiences are stored in the body and create body memories. These memories can have a positive impact on the body but can also have detrimental impacts if trauma is experienced. Somatic therapies such as dance/movement therapy and massage can be used to release accumulated tension and stress in the body that has been caused by trauma (1).

Somatic massage focuses on relaxing the muscles in the body while also encouraging cognitive control. Releasing tension through the body and becoming more in touch with the mind-body connection can help increase coping skills and reduce the perception of life stressors (2).

What Is Somatic Touch Therapy?

Somatic touch therapy is a style of somatic massage that focuses on the mind-body connection. This particular approach is done using a gentle touch that isn’t invasive. The purpose of this touch is to encourage connection with physical and emotional sensations. The gentle touch is done intentionally and typically focuses on areas where built-up tension is sensed by the person who is applying the touch. This is meant to encourage the release of tension and trauma. Somatic touch therapy can be beneficial for healing chronic pain and other issues. 

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The Benefits of Somatic Massage

There are many benefits of somatic massage and a variety of approaches to somatic massage. The benefits of somatic massage differ slightly from the benefits of a traditional massage. This is due to doing work on the body from the inside out and taking a body-centered approach. 

Reduced Pain and Discomfort

As with a traditional massage, a somatic massage can help reduce pain and discomfort. It can be challenging to get through your day-to-day activities and live a good quality life if you’re experiencing pain and discomfort regularly. Incorporating somatic massage into your self-care routine can help release built-up physical tension throughout the body, which can help reduce chronic pain symptoms. 

Increased Relaxation

The gentle touch utilized by somatic massage therapists can help reduce stress levels and make you feel more relaxed. Feeling less day-to-day stress can significantly improve your mental health and positively impact other areas of your life (3). There’s a good chance that you’ll also sense improvement when it comes to body awareness. This means that you may be more connected with the sensations your body puts off and gain a better understanding of how your physical and emotional states are connected. 

Improved Sleep Quality

As a result of feeling less stressed and being more attuned to your body, your sleep quality and duration may also improve. Sleep disturbances can often be the cause of impaired cognitive functioning, stress, and cognitive performance. Poor sleep habits may also increase your chances of experiencing depression and mood disturbances (4). 

By having somatic massage techniques applied to you, you can improve your chances of living a higher quality life thanks to the positive impact it can have on your physical and emotional well-being.  

Enhanced Posture

Speaking of physical well-being, another noted somatic massage benefit is improved posture and movement, in addition to increased energy levels. When a somatic massage is performed on you, you’ll experience a release of tension and stress in your body. Having less tension in your body, particularly if it’s being held in your upper torso, you may find it easier to sit with proper posture. This is because you no longer experience the unwanted pull of tight muscles, which can cause you to slouch in order to decrease the chances of adding additional pull. 

Read more: Somatic Healing Techniques: A Holistic Approach to Physical and Emotional Recovery

How to Do a Somatic Massage

The way a somatic massage is performed may vary from one provider to the next but ultimately, all somatic massages should use a gentle touch and body-centered approach. The massage therapist will apply hands-on tissue manipulation to address any tension they pick up on in your body. The therapist will work to access both the fascial and nervous systems and address how the tissues and energy in them come together. 

• First, the provider will situate you in a calm environment free from disruptions. The lighting in the room should provide a relaxed feeling and there should also be quiet and calming background noise or music.
• Next, the provider will explain what to expect during their massage. This should include information such as what clothing to keep on and remove and how to position your body to start. 
• Typically, the massage therapist will start by making you feel grounded. This typically involves making sure you’re positioned comfortably and having you take a few deep breaths to relax your body.
• At this point, the gentle touching should begin. The massage therapist will start by using light and gentle touches while searching for areas of built-up tension. This is done with the intent of encouraging you to be present and mindful rather than applying deep pressure to work out knots. 
• During the massage, you should remain present. The therapist will be focused on how you respond to their touches and they will adjust their touches based on your feedback. 
• With the intention of the massage being to release tension and improve the mind-body connection, the massage therapist should focus on areas where you feel tension or where the therapist can feel tension. Once these focus areas are located, deliberate strokes should be implemented to promote the appropriate release.
• At this point, you may be encouraged to communicate any sensations you’re experiencing, both physical and emotional. You will be encouraged to release any emotions that arise. 

Somatic Massage Techniques:

Effleurage: The use of light sweeping strokes. These strokes are intended to help warm up the muscles and encourage relaxation.

Petrissage: This involves applying gentle pressure and using a kneading motion on the muscles to release tension.

Static Touch: This technique involves placing hands on a specific area. Once the hands are on the targeted area, they will be held there. This helps encourage the client to connect with any sensations they’re experiencing. 

Gentle Rocking: The body will be slowly rocked as a way to encourage relaxation and be provided with a sense of safety.

Breath Synchronization: When the applied touch is synced up to the client’s breathing rhythm, it helps to create a peaceful flow.

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FAQs

• Does somatic massage help you lose weight?

Somatic massage alone won’t help you lose weight. However, the benefits of somatic massage can encourage healthy habits and improved quality of life, which may result in increased physical activity and a decrease in the likelihood of using food as a coping mechanism. The combination of all these things may help you lose weight. 

• Can anyone do a somatic massage?

Anyone who has an interest in improving mind-body connections can apply the principles of somatic massage, but professional somatic massages shouldn’t be provided to clients without specialized training. In order for a somatic massage to be as effective as possible, the person who is providing the massage should have a proper understanding of the techniques. 

It’s also important to have training on how to deal with body-related trauma. Anyone who provides a somatic massage should also have a good understanding of the anatomy of the human body and the ability to make clients feel safe and comfortable.

• Can somatic massage replace therapy?

It may not be a great idea to completely replace traditional therapies with somatic therapy immediately. While somatic massage has many benefits, it may not provide all the healing help that you need. It’s a good idea to pair a somatic massage with traditional therapy and talk to your providers about your desire to replace one with the other if you’re feeling inclined to do so. Whether or not you can use somatic massage to replace therapy is highly dependent on your purpose for seeking therapy. 

The Bottom Line

Somatic massage is a therapeutic approach that enhances the mind-body connection through gentle, mindful touch. Unlike traditional massage, it focuses on healing from within by releasing stored stress and trauma. This practice, which is rooted in somatic psychology, offers several benefits, including reduced pain and discomfort, increased relaxation, improved sleep quality, and enhanced posture and movement. 

By creating a calming environment and using techniques such as light strokes, kneading, and breath synchronization, somatic massage helps alleviate tension and foster overall well-being. While somatic massage can be a great way to improve your physical and mental health, you may need to seek additional therapies to pair with somatic massage to create the best environment for healing.