The Massage That Moves More Than Muscles

Trauma and stress aren't matter in the muscles; it’s physiology imprinted in the nervous system.

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There comes a point in many bodyworkers’ journeys when they realise their work is touching something deeper than just the physical. The muscles, tendons and ligaments may be the starting point, but true healing often goes far beyond that.

Over the past 25 years, my work has evolved from sports massage focused on muscle recovery to something much more integrated. In my early career, I spent time supporting athletes at events like the London Marathon. My role was to help them recover from injury and strain, to keep their bodies functioning at their best. At that time, I believed I was simply working with the body. But alongside that, I was also navigating my own healing, recovering from childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

As the years unfolded, and as I studied more deeply, through courses on neuroscience, somatic practices and trauma recovery, it became clear that massage was never just physical. Our bodies hold our stories. They carry tension not only from movement and injury but from emotional stress, mental overload and spiritual disconnection.

Now I understand that what I offer in my sessions touches all layers of the person. The physical body, yes, but also the emotional, mental, energetic and even relational aspects of who we are. Everything is connected, and at the centre of it all is the nervous system.

In recent years, my focus has turned toward nervous system regulation. The nervous system acts as the master controller for how we feel, function and relate. When it is out of balance, we may experience pain, anxiety, exhaustion, or chronic stress without understanding why.

So often clients arrive with physical symptoms, tight shoulders, aching backs, general discomfort, and no clear medical diagnosis. More often than not, this is the body expressing nervous system dysregulation.

This understanding has shaped the development of SOMA Massage, a method I’ve been refining over the past eight years. SOMA brings together everything I’ve learned, from the physical foundations of massage to the emotional and neurological insights gained through years of study and practice.

This approach allows clients to be met exactly where they are. Whether it is stress, emotional overwhelm, injury recovery or simply a longing to feel more at ease in their body, SOMA Massage offers a space of deep listening and support. It is not just about easing muscle pain. It is about restoring connection and helping people feel safe and balanced within themselves.

If we want true healing, we must honour the whole person. SOMA Massage is my way of doing just that, holding space for each layer of the self to be seen, supported and gently guided back to balance.

Curious about becoming a SOMA Massage Method practitioner?

If this approach speaks to you and you feel called to support others in a deeper, more integrated way, you're warmly invited to explore the practitioner pathway. You can join the waitlist now to be the first to hear when doors open.