“Numerous studies have examined the effects of massage on everyone from babies and new mothers to breast-cancer survivors and people who suffer from migraines. The results are fairly clear that massage boosts your serotonin by as much as 30 percent. Massage also decreases stress hormones and raises dopamine levels, which helps you create new good habits.” ―Alex Korb, PhD
Since receiving Thai Yoga massage combined with Swedish massage, I have more energy and increased flexibility throughout my body—especially in my neck and hips. I’m also sleeping better, happier, think clearer and rarely get a migraine (which is new for me). As a result of the domino effects of massage, my physiology is stronger. I bounce back quicker from triggers or being activated—even after waking up to a nightmare.
Before my massage, I silently pray to God to release the toxins from my body, and to bless the massage practitioner as she works on me. The practitioner assists me into yoga postures and stretches that I rhythmically breath into. She helps put me into stretches that I couldn’t do on my own because it takes two people. Thai Yoga massage has been called the lazy man’s yoga because the stretches are held for us which I greatly appreciate! Massage is intermittently woven in. I also love, the hot stone and hot towels used on me. It’s important to drink a lot of water after massage to release the toxins out of the body.
During and after massage, I have an enhanced base line of oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins and dopamine (the feeling wonderful hormones) and a reduction of cortisol and other stress hormones. It’s a great way to get recharged and refilled.
I have implemented weekly, and often times, twice weekly. Thai Yoga – Swedish massage. Healing Trauma takes a toll on the mind and body with all the neurochemical floods and chronic exhaustion. Additionally, ongoing intense grieving which comes with new awareness—integrating past trauma, all the after-effects of accepting the cruel reality. Research shows that emotional pain activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain. (WebMD 2019 by Stephanie Hairston)
“Massage reduces pain because the oxytocin system activates painkilling endorphins. Massage also improves sleep and reduces fatigue by increasing serotonin and dopamine and decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. So if you’re feeling out of sorts, get a massage. You’ll be actively triggering the neurotransmitter systems that work to make you happier.” ―Alex Korb, PhD The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time.
In healing trauma, some of us lose relationships with our entire families—and relatives who don’t care and those who want nothing to do with us for speaking truth. It’s like losing a family all at once. In natural disasters people come together to help and support one another, unlike healing sexual abuse and other traumas. Peter A. Levine, PhD, states, “Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood, and untreated cause of human suffering.” Therefore, it is so essential that we take really good care of ourselves, replenishing ourselves when we feel depleted. We are the CEO’s of our lives. All the turbulent storms in our mind and body pass which makes healing worth it when we feel AMAZING! Let’s keep moving toward a beautiful life by design.
Finally, the more I learn about neurobiology the better I understand how trauma and toxic stress affects our physiology and well being. And we can help insulate ourselves with self-regulation (“Interrupting a threat response with relaxation; breathing and movement”- Dr. Eric Gentry) and recharging ourselves so we are not flooded by stress hormones.
Dr. Robert Rhoton, author, lecturer and CEO of Arizona Trauma Institute explained; “The stress hormone Cortisol reduces Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins. And Cortisol reduces executive functioning, reduces the ability to stop or inhibit behavior, reduces logic and reasoning, and interrupts the forming of sequential memory.”
Dr. Rhoton is also the instructor of the course, Trauma & Resilience Life Coach that I am currently taking. Dr. Rhoton passionately drives it home, “Our nervous system is running the show!”