Grieving and Massage Therapy
Experiencing grief can be a time of rawness, vulnerability, and heart-brokenness. Our grieving bodies can feel broken, too. A loss can trigger an increased stress response, resulting in a tense, sore body, and high levels of physical, mental, and emotional strain. Grief Massage is an extremely gentle and nurturing massage experience devoted to providing warmth, comfort, and care to grieving people.
What is Grief Massage?
In a culture where we aren't always given enough time and space to grieve, Grief Massage provides a unique and gentle massage for people in the early days, weeks, and months of grieving. Grief Massage creates a safe and comfortable space where the physical symptoms of the stress of grieving are addressed and the client is provided a respite from the rest of the world with no pressure to process or to feel better - - - where you can just be, yet not be alone.
If you have recently suffered a loss, whether it be a loved one or another type of loss, or are experiencing renewed grief of anniversaries or other significant dates/holidays, etc., having a massage can bring comfort into the darkest of days.
If you have recently suffered a loss, whether it be a loved one or another type of loss, or are experiencing renewed grief of anniversaries or other significant dates/holidays, etc., having a massage can bring comfort into the darkest of days.
Why Grief Massage?
Grief Massage is offered to support clients who are mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausted from the stress of grieving, and to provide a reprieve from the world for a while. Grief Massage is not focused on addressing problem areas, "fixing" anything, or "releasing grief". Please know that this massage is not a counseling session where advice or feedback is given on processing the grief. This session creates a safe, no pressure space for the client where grief is welcomed and the client and body are cared for in a sacred and respectful manner. There is no pressure or expectation to "feel better" after the massage. The focus of the session is to offer a haven to rest, to honor the broken heart, and to hold space for the grieving mind, body, and spirit to experience comfort through mindful and compassionate touch.
My Experience with Grief and Massage
When I was in massage school I also happened to go through a particularly difficult time in my life. Toward the end of the program and in a span of about 5 months my cat died, I was diagnosed with cancer, my cousin died, and then my mom died. Even though it was undoubtedly a significant amount of loss in a short period of time and an extremely challenging and stressful time, I was definitely in the right place at the time. Because, in a time of deeply painful grief, a time that felt like no one else was speaking my language (grief can feel like that), one of the things that brought great comfort to my body, mind, and spirit was massage.
It helped my aching body, my sleep troubles, my anxiety, my appetite, it helped me to not isolate,
and gave me something to look forward to.
It provided me a time where I could just be without the pressure to talk or to pretend I was fine.
It was a total reprieve.
I felt incredibly supported, and comforted, and it was what helped me get through school.
Receiving a massage is one of the very best things one can do for stress and pain, physical and/or emotional. And grief and loss is one of the most stressful things to go through.
Putting the two together made perfect sense.
Later on I was blessed to be able to study with Aimee Joy Taylor, founder of The Institute for Grief Massage, and to offer this special and safe massage to grieving clients.
What is a Grief Massage session like?
Whether you are new to massage or are feeling particularly vulnerable, you are welcome to remain clothed for this relaxing treatment. Clients will be bolstered, blanketed, and modestly draped on a warm and comfortable massage table. I work in a quiet and meditative state, providing slow and calming massage strokes over the client's clothing or skin using gentle pressure to encourage relaxation and provide a sense of being supported.
Areas treated include:
Back (neck, shoulders, and lower back)
Calves and Feet (below the knee)
Arms and Hands
Face and Scalp
Any of the areas may be skipped if the client prefers. Areas not covered with clothing will be massaged with oil or lotion. Clients are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing when remaining dressed.
For clients who are experiencing significant muscle tension or wish to experience a more traditional Swedish/Deep Tissue style massage, you can book a Custom Integrated Massage, and I will still maintain the utmost sensitivity to your grief. Gentle to firm pressure can be used according to your preferences. I will encourage relaxing by calming the nervous system and gently working the muscles on a deeper level, without forcing the muscles to relax. The client can chose an area for focus work, such as the shoulders and neck, if needed. Any areas may skipped if the client prefers.
Areas treated include:
Back, Neck, and Shoulders
Legs and Feet
Arms and Hands
Face and Scalp
All Grief Massage sessions are 60 Minutes ~ $120
Areas treated include:
Back (neck, shoulders, and lower back)
Calves and Feet (below the knee)
Arms and Hands
Face and Scalp
Any of the areas may be skipped if the client prefers. Areas not covered with clothing will be massaged with oil or lotion. Clients are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing when remaining dressed.
For clients who are experiencing significant muscle tension or wish to experience a more traditional Swedish/Deep Tissue style massage, you can book a Custom Integrated Massage, and I will still maintain the utmost sensitivity to your grief. Gentle to firm pressure can be used according to your preferences. I will encourage relaxing by calming the nervous system and gently working the muscles on a deeper level, without forcing the muscles to relax. The client can chose an area for focus work, such as the shoulders and neck, if needed. Any areas may skipped if the client prefers.
Areas treated include:
Back, Neck, and Shoulders
Legs and Feet
Arms and Hands
Face and Scalp
All Grief Massage sessions are 60 Minutes ~ $120
Curious about how massage may help with the stress of grieving? You may enjoy reading about a study conducted in Sweden in 2010, in which gentle hand and foot massage benefited grieving individuals who had lost a loved one to cancer.
Read about the study:
Read about the study:
Grief hurts.
Massage helps.
Massage helps.