Trauma-informed bodywork, which includes massage, reflexology and reiki, is a healing approach designed with a deep awareness of the emotional and physical scars that trauma can leave on the body. Unlike traditional bodywork, trauma-informed modalities are intentionally crafted to create a safe and supportive environment in which clients feel in control, fostering trust between the practitioner and the client.

Traditional massage, reflexology and Reiki are often practiced with a focus on relaxation, stress reduction or physical healing. However, trauma-informed bodywork goes beyond physical treatment by considering the impact of trauma on the nervous system. For individuals with a history of trauma, physical touch or deep relaxation may be triggers, resulting in dissociation, heightened anxiety or even flashbacks. Trauma-informed practitioners are trained to recognize these potential triggers and work to create a space where clients feel safe, empowered and able to communicate their needs.

Trauma-informed bodywork may not always be about relaxation; it very well may be about regulation—regulating the nervous system so that we feel safe. Feeling safe then in time allows us to ease into relaxation. 

One of the key differences in trauma-informed bodywork is the emphasis on consent and choice. Practitioners maintain a dialogue with the client throughout the session, ensuring they feel comfortable with each step of the process. In contrast to more traditional settings, where the practitioner may take the lead without much client input, trauma-informed sessions encourage clients to guide the pace, pressure and focus of the bodywork. This ensures that clients feel safe and respected, reducing the likelihood of triggering traumatic memories or physical responses. 

In massage, for example, techniques involve asking for verbal consent before touching sensitive areas or applying more pressure. The practitioner may use grounding techniques, such as inviting the client to breathe deeply, notice sensations or even pause the session if they start to feel overwhelmed. Reflexology sessions may be modified by focusing on areas of the body that feel safe for the client or by using lighter pressure to prevent discomfort. In reiki, the non-invasive nature of energy work makes it an ideal modality for trauma survivors, as it can be done with minimal or no physical touch. The practitioner focuses on energetic alignment, allowing the client to release tension and heal without the need for direct physical contact.

Another vital aspect of the modality is the awareness of how trauma is stored in the body. Trauma is not just a psychological experience; it can reside in the tissues, muscles and fascia. Trauma-informed practitioners recognize that physical touch can release stored emotions or memories, and they are trained to hold space for these emotional releases. Rather than seeing them as an interruption to the session, these releases are viewed as an integral part of the healing process. Trauma-informed bodywork therapists have a background in understanding the neuro-biology of trauma and how our body stores and presents it, giving clients a safe space to begin to heal somatically. 

This approach also places significant importance on regulating the nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in stress and trauma responses. Techniques such as slow, rhythmic strokes in massage or energy balancing in reiki can help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing the client into a state of rest and repair.

Ultimately, trauma-informed bodywork provides not just physical healing, but a deeper sense of safety, empowerment and emotional release. It meets clients where they are, offering a compassionate, non-judgmental space for healing. Whether through touch or energy work, this method recognizes that true healing requires addressing the full person—body, mind and spirit. 

Rooted Holistic Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located at 308 White Horse Pike, in Haddon Heights, NJ, offers all sessions on a donation basis, making them tax-deductible. For more information or to book a session with Hetrick or any of their other service providers, visit www.RootedYogaAndWellness.com.