Up today on the blog is the topic of clinical massage and the role it plays in Integrated Care. The human body is so very complex, isn’t it? We’ve been talking about the value of Integrated Care because we are more than just flesh and blood. Our physical bodies are also, emotional, mental, and spiritual. And all four of those components integrate.
So let’s talk about clinical massage! Before we get too deep into things though, I want to draw a distinction. A clinical massage is not the same thing as a therapeutic or “spa” massage. Don’t get me wrong, a great massage at the spa can go a LONG way toward helping the body relax. Not gonna lie, it’s number one on the top of my “essential” list of to-do’s when on vacation!
The focus of clinical massage is to get into the places where the body stores trauma, to help muscles relax, release, and heal. There are different kinds of trauma, and how the body responds is different for each person. This is especially powerful for a person who has done everything they know to do but still can’t figure out what the problem is. There may be a physical manifestation of disease in the body, but medical specialists can’t find the source. Clinical massage can often find where the body has stored up trauma and help the muscles and nervous system relax and release the pain.
Often we think that trauma is stored up in the mind, and sometimes that’s true, but other times it is buried much deeper. What we believe the issue is may not really be what the issue is. So, when a person hits a wall feeling blocked or stuck in traditional talk therapy, clinical massage offers a different way in. Words aren’t needed to find where the tension is, which helps lead to a breakthrough.
Here’s the thing, as trauma surfaces it must be processed because if it is ignored it will create a toxic environment. Ignoring pain is never a good choice because it doesn’t go away. Pain just burrows down and festers from the inside out. We may believe we are fine because we don’t think about it, but a lack of mental awareness doesn’t negate the presence of a problem. In other words, sticking your head in the ground like an ostrich doesn’t remove the problem.
We were created by God in His perfect image, but as sin entered the world, it created brokenness that affects everything. The good news is that God didn’t just walk away in defeat, because He is greater than all that. Through Christ, He made a way for us to come back to Him and live from His greatness.
God’s name is Healer and Prince of peace (just to name a few). There is nothing that He cannot overcome. This is an important truth to remember and rehearse, because God’s goal for you and me is always, always, always, about restoration and wholeness. He’s not just concerned for our physical wellbeing, He wants all of our parts—mind, emotions, spirit, and body—to integrate and work according to His design.
My point is, there is a way back from the broken way. When we pursue an integrated care plan process, we can find solutions and release, in the most unexpected places. Check out this week’s episode on The Pastor and The Counselor and listen as Ryan, Jon and KellyAnne talk about how Clinical Massage can create breakthroughs for healing!
PodcastWritten by Maureen Brown
Maureen Is our Worship and Communications Pastor. She has served New Life Community alongside Pastor Ryan for 19 years. She is passionate about Jesus and His Church, which is why she does what she does. Maureen has been leading worship, teaching, and mentoring her entire adult life. She graduated in 1996, from Emmanuel Bible College with a Bachelor of Religious Education in Professional Studies with a double minor in Christian Education and Music and then married Ryan—the love of her life. Maureen is a blogger so she brings a special set of gifts that are well used in the area of Communications here at NLC.