The Mind-Body Connection in Massage Therapy
At some point in life, you may have felt betrayed and described it as being “stabbed in the back.” Maybe you’ve called someone a “pain in the neck,” or felt like you were carrying “the weight of the world on your shoulders.” These familiar phrases are more than just figures of speech—they reflect the deep and powerful connection between our emotions and our bodies.
The back is often referred to as a “storehouse” for emotional stress, grief, sorrow, fear, and especially betrayal. These emotions can manifest physically as muscle tension, stiffness, or discomfort. Similarly, the neck is considered one of the most emotionally sensitive areas of the body, capable of holding onto past trauma that may appear as pain or restricted movement. Our shoulders, too, bear both physical and emotional burdens, leading to tightness and soreness.
Of course, not all discomfort is rooted in emotion. Sometimes, a sore back is simply the result of poor posture. Neck stiffness might come from long hours at a desk, or sleeping in an awkward position. Shoulder tension may be caused by carrying a heavy bag or starting a new workout routine. Still, even when pain originates from a physical cause, it can affect our emotional well-being—leaving us feeling irritable, fatigued, or overwhelmed.
What I love most about being a massage therapist is the opportunity to support healing not just of the physical body, but the emotional and spiritual self, as well. At the beginning of each session, I like to ask two questions: “How is your body feeling today?” and just as importantly, “How is your mood today?” These simple inquiries give me a deeper understanding of what your body may be communicating and help me personalize your session to best meet your needs.
Whether that means adjusting pressure, choosing specific techniques, or incorporating breathwork, aromatherapy, or meditation, the goal is to create a space where both your body and mind can relax and restore. Because when our emotional well-being is in balance, our physical health benefits health is too—and vice versa.
Abby Davis, LMT
Source: The Body Heals Itself by Emily A. Francis copyright 2017
