When we experience physical or emotional trauma, the memory of the event—no matter how big or how small—is woven tightly throughout our nervous system. What happens is when a traumatic event occurs, it pushes our nervous system outside of it’s ability to regulate itself. And sometimes it gets stuck in the “on” position which leads to us feeling overstimulated, in
pain, or unable to calm ourselves.
When you come into the clinic you are not only receiving bodywork from a trained professional, but you are giving your nervous system the chance to return to a place of rest and digest (your parasympathetic nervous system) and this is the medicine that allows your body to fully unwind and realign in a holistic way.
Anytime you are able to connect your brain to a physical activity (like massage, weaving, or going for a walk in nature), you are moving your nervous system from stuck overstimulation, to a more moveable calm centeredness.
Here are some other ways outside of massage that you can begin to move from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) to parasympathetic (rest and digest) today:
- Breathing deeply into your belly instead of your chest
- Being outside as frequently as possible
- Spending time with an animal
- Exercise like yoga, Tai Chi, or walking gently
- Snuggling up with hot tea and a cozy blanket
- Reading a book
- Taking an epsom salt bath
Our bodies have to feel safe in order for our tight muscles to gently release. We have to show our bodies through bodywork and nurturing healing spaces that it’s able to let go and not be bracing for impact. When the body trusts, the body releases and pain dissipates.
The most loving thing you can do for yourself is be in spaces that remind you that you are safe.
We can’t wait to see you in the clinic!
Dani Boltz, LMT is a licensed massage therapist and yoga teacher practicing here in Portland, Oregon. Embodiment and nervous system regulation are the through-line to everything she lovingly offers with compassion being the foundation for her work. When not in Portland you will find her and her husband scooting off to Montana to soak in nature on their off-grid property in the mountains. You can connect with Dani on social at @mountainhoneywellness and you can find her in the clinic Tuesday-Thursday.
Dani Boltz, LMT
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