Lenea Johnson is a dedicated veteran client of mine, who has shown remarkable commitment to her healing and and body maintenance journey. Following a car accident earlier this year, she faced significant physical and emotional challenges during her recovery and was encouraged to pursue physical therapy and massage therapy to help aid her healing. These modalities became essential components of her rehabilitation, enhancing mobility, alleviating pain, and restoring strength. Supporting Johnson through this transformative process has been deeply rewarding.
  During a session, Johnson experienced an emotional breakthrough while performing her physical therapy exercises and receiving petrissage, particularly around her head and neck. As I applied gentle, intentional massage strokes, tears streamed down her face, a subtle yet powerful release of unprocessed emotions tied to past trauma or grief. These emotions, often stored in muscles, fascia, connective tissues, and the nervous system, surfaced naturally during our session.

  “When Dominique and my physical therapist mentioned my emotional breakthrough, I was surprised,” Johnson reflected. “It never occurred to me that I was crying during my sessions. This realization made me think deeply about my sensitivity to touch, especially in the context of massage therapy. When someone massages me, I become acutely aware of the energies exchanged; I often want to shield against those feelings to avoid carrying them with me afterwards. However, I have complete trust in Dominique's skills and expertise. Her technique allowed my body to open up and be truly receptive to her touch. It was a profound moment for me, as I finally felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable on her table, without any fear of judgment or lingering energy."
    Johnson’s experience highlights the transformative power of somatic massage, a modality that nurtures both body and soul. Derived from the Greek word soma (body), somatic massage touching on the traumas and emotions, good or bad, stored in the body. Massage practitioners use slower, intentional strokes to enhance relaxation and increase body awareness, paving the way for a transformative experience that fills clients with hope and optimism.
  Techniques such as compression, breathwork, awareness-building movements, and assisted stretching enhance mobility and facilitate the release of stored trauma through physical sensations.
  Clients may experience a range of responses during somatic massage, including laughter, tears, yawning, or trembling. In these moments, the practitioner’s role is to create a safe, supportive environment, using their expertise to foster comfort and security.
  SomatoEmotional Release (SER), a specialized form of somatic massage, integrates CranioSacral Therapy to address the intricate connection between physical tension and deeply rooted emotions. Unlike traditional massage, which primarily focuses on relaxation and pain relief, SER targets both physical and psychological aspects, helping clients process and release stored emotions.

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Aly Aiyn George, a Montana-based massage therapist and founder of Stone Tree Massage and Somatics, explained the distinction between traditional massage which focuses on relaxation and pain management, often as part of a self-care routine. Somatic massage, however, regulates the nervous system and is particularly beneficial for individuals with dissociative disorders, movement disorders like muscular dystrophy or Bell’s Palsy, or those struggling with depression, PTSD, or poor mental health.
  "Somatic massage helps individuals to have a better relationship with themselves and with their body, and for anyone suffering from depression, PTSD, and poor mental health," said George. "In general, somatic massage can be a way to get some of the benefits of movement as well, when movement is difficult or impossible, because we are working with the nervous system and with physiological awareness, the session often moves spontaneously. For instance, you may come in with low back pain, but when we begin working, you might notice an associated pain. However, with somatic massage, the client is in charge."
George emphasizes that somatic massage fosters a deeper connection between clients and their bodies. “It’s less about what the practitioner feels and more about what the client notices,” she says. During sessions, clients are encouraged to vocalize new or radiating sensations, allowing the therapist to guide them through the experience. This process helps clients rewire their nervous systems, teaching them to interpret and respond to their body’s signals.
  "Somatic massage is more of a lesson than it is a treatment. It teaches you how to regulate the nervous system," said George.
  SER offers numerous benefits, including stress reduction, improved circulation, pain management, better posture, and tissue regeneration. By addressing both physical and emotional needs, it helps clients achieve greater balance and attunement with their bodies.
Somatic Emotional Release massage enables clients to release their body’s story, fostering balance between emotional and physical health. For those ready to heal, SER offers a gentle path to release tension and embrace tranquility.

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For more information about Dr. Dominique M. Carson, LMP, H.C. and her work, visit her Linktree. You can also explore her professional portfolio at dominiquecarson.contently.com and follow her on social media: Instagram @domcarson90 or @dcarsonlmp, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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