How body awareness can help you get more from your massage

I’ve been reading a book recently about Somatics and I’m interested how this relates to my massage practice.

In simple terms, somatics is about connecting with your body through internal awareness - noticing what’s happening on the inside to affect change. 

The more I learn about somatic bodywork the more it shifts how I think about the relationship between client and therapist. And I wanted to share some thoughts around how understanding somatics can help you get more from your massage sessions.

Why do I feel tense all the time

Many of us have lost touch with our bodies. We’re not used to tuning in to what’s happening internally, and as a result we may no feel in control of our bodies.

The pace of modern life keeps us permanently switched on - we live in a constant state of alertness. But our nervous systems aren’t designed to stay in that state. They’re built for rhythm. Effort and recovery. Action and rest. When we lose touch with that rhythm, when we’re “always on”, we start to brace. The body shifts into protection mode. And over time, that protection can turn into chronic muscle tension.

Muscles are meant to contract when the nervous system tells them to - and relax when the signal stops. That’s the natural cycle. But posture, stress, injury, or any sustained effort can create habitual holding patterns. The muscles keep receiving the message to contract. Eventually, the contraction becomes so familiar, so involuntary, that we stop noticing it altogether.

This is called sensory motor amnesia - when muscular tension becomes so unconscious that we forget we’re even holding it

My own experience 

I’ve been on my own journey with this - specifically with neck and jaw tension.

Years ago, a dentist casually pointed out that I clench my teeth. How had I not known this? But once my awareness was drawn to it, I couldn’t un-notice it, it’s like ‘oh yeah there you are’. My stress response.

For a long time, I accepted it as just part of me. But recently I’ve realised that awareness itself is so powerful. Now, when I catch myself clenching, I consciously soften my jaw. I send a different signal to my nervous system: It’s okay. There’s no emergency.

That small act - repeated daily - begins to retrain the body. It encourages a relaxation response.

How this relates to your massage

This is exactly why massage can be so powerful - for nervous system regulation.

As your therapist, I can help guide your awareness to those holding patterns so that you can regain control over the muscles. 

More awareness leads to more relaxation. And lasting change happens when you live in your body. By recognising how tight muscles may have become and choosing to soften and release.

Massage creates the opportunity.
Awareness creates change.

The more connected you are to your body, and the more active a role you play in your healing, the more benefit you’ll receive from your sessions.