Massage & PTSD, A Healing Journey Through Bodywork

Abstract

Overall, massage therapy can be very helpful in treating the symptoms of PTSD,

specifically dissociation, anxiety, muscle tension, touch aversion, and insomnia. The modalities that were most effective were Craniosacral, Thai, and Myofascial Release. Craniosacral was helpful in somato-emotional release and inducing a parasympathetic state of relaxation. Thai was meditative and helped the client stay present and centered by bringing an overall sense of well-being. Myofascial Release was useful in helping the client breathe better, and the slow, deliberate movements created more “space” in the fascial system, which alleviated muscular tension. The client also stated at the end of our treatments that her sleep was more restful, and she felt less touch aversion. Massage may not cure PTSD but will greatly improve quality of life when combined with other self-care practices.

The least effective modality was Neuromuscular therapy due to the invasiveness of deep tissue work, along with the pain caused by trigger point therapy. I hope to see more research and case studies written on this subject in the future, as PTSD is a real and prevalent disorder that affects so many people.

Introduction

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration defines Post-Traumatic Stress

Disorder as “a real disorder that develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying, or dangerous event.” (www.samhsa.gov/mental-health). Massage has been proven to help aid in self-awareness, by connecting the client with their body and mind through treating the physical symptoms presented in this disorder. This case study uses various massage modalities to test which ones are most effective. The modalities I used were Swedish, Craniosacral, Thai, Connective Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Shiatsu. In each session, I incorporated different energy modalities as well. These included Reflexology, crystal placements, Reiki, Sound Therapy, and Mediumship.

Methods

My case study is a 37 yr. old woman who has experienced a chaotic and abusive

childhood with a parental history of addiction, neglect, and emotional and physical abuse. At 15, this woman ran away from home to escape her unhealthy household. As a young child, she was in foster care and experienced damaging situations with her caregivers. These childhood experiences led into adulthood, where she had difficulties creating and maintaining healthy self-care techniques, and suffers from physical symptoms that include numbness, dissociation, touch aversion, chronic muscle tension, insomnia, and difficulty in parasympathetic regulation.

While she has received therapy from mental health professionals and accomplished a

considerable amount of inner healing, she still suffers from PTSD. The goal in this case study is to see if and how massage therapy can heal her physical/ emotional PTSD symptoms. Modalities that will be used include Craniosacral, Swedish, Eastern modalities, and Neuromuscular Therapy; and will incorporate some energy healing modalities to bring a spiritual balance into the treatment.

Our short-term goals are to reduce anxiety, reduce dissociation, reduce aversion to

touch, and maintain a parasympathetic state for longer time periods. Our long-term goals are to practice healthy self-care habits, set healthy boundaries, reduce insomnia, reduce dissociation, reduce depression and anxiety, and release involuntary muscular tension/ numbness.

Our first session, I did Craniosacral therapy using the 10-step protocol, which was

effective in helping us focus on areas in the body where there were energetic blocks. I noticed increased muscular tension in the legs, hips, neck, and abdominals. The client said she felt numbness in her hands and feet. I gave her a tension/ release exercise to try between sessions to help her gain increased awareness of involuntary muscular tension.

Our second session was 90 minutes. I opened the session with a crystal reading and then placed the crystals under the table under the crown and heart chakras. We worked supine for the entire session, and I did a Swedish massage with Craniosacral, incorporating some Sports Injury techniques over the abdominals. The session ended with Reflexology. I felt the client would benefit most from core work and pectoral work, and she reported afterward that the session really helped her connect to her center and open to accepting the treatment. Her energy felt calmer and more relaxed, and she seemed to be more present. I wanted to make note that there were a lot of distractions in the beginning of the session, but as the session progressed and she went deeper into a meditative state, the distractions stopped. I gave her a breathwork exercise and had her continue the tension/ release exercises.

Our third session was another Craniosacral session done at the Upledger Institute CS1

course. This session felt more effective because we learned the 10 step protocols in greater detail. When I performed the protocols, I could tell the treatment was more effective. She was more relaxed going into it, and after the protocols, her energy felt lighter and more balanced. The next day in class, her mood was happier, and she had more vitality in her aura.

Our fourth session mainly focused on Connective Tissue. When I did Myofascial over the Pectoral muscles and upper back, she said she felt like she could breathe better. Her demeanor was relaxed, and she was easily able to stay present throughout the session. Her hands and feet had more feeling in them after the session as well. I feel like the slower pace and additional intention in Myofascial release really helps bring more awareness and physical space in and through the body tissues.

In another treatment, I did neuromuscular therapy and used deeper pressure. This did

not seem very helpful. The deeper pressure had adverse effects on her touch aversion and releasing trigger points seemed to minimally help release pain in her shoulders.

Our fifth session was Thai Massage. The areas of focus were the tensor fascia latae,

iliopsoas, shoulder girdle, and QLs. The client really enjoyed how the stretches felt, and the overall well-being that the Thai modality brought her. The focus of Thai is in bringing attention to the mind, body, and spirit. Working with the Sen lines seemed to relax the muscles quickly, and it was easy to go into a meditative state during the session. When I focused on stretching and compressing the hip flexors and Psoas muscles, she said she felt less tension and more space. Overall, it felt like she was more relaxed and centered.

Our sixth and final session was Shiatsu. I did a Hara assessment and found that the pericardium, small intestine, and liver were kyo. The pericardium was the most kyo. The stomach was the most Jitsu. I worked on the pericardium and small intestine meridians first, reassessing the Hara between each line. I then worked on the stomach meridian and liver last. The final Hara assessment showed balance in all the hara centers. Overall, Shiatsu was helpful in maintaining presence and centeredness, relaxation, and reducing anxiety.

Discussion

In my research, I couldn’t find too much about the effects of massage therapy on PTSD as a direct treatment. Mostly the effects were listed as a side benefit while treating other injuries and ailments.

A note from what I’ve learned practicing energy work: as we clear our own energy

field, the world around us begins to shift to match our new state of being. From listening to the client’s statements as our treatments progressed, her life seems to be shifting a lot. The work in energy work is in letting go of attachments and agreements that no longer serve us, and reclaiming the parts of our souls that were fractured. The purpose of this is self-actualization. A quote from Albert Einstein sums this up in a concise way: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” (www.brainyquote.com) As we change our thoughts, words, and actions, we consequently change the world around us.

References

• National Institute of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration;

www.samhsa.gov/mental-health

• www.brainyquote.com/quotes/albert_einstein_121993