How Therapeutic Massage Can Support Those Affected By PTSD

Written By:

Lisa Widder

Office Administrator

Reviewed By:

Stephan Kelly

Licensed Massage Therapist, Mercier Therapy, Prenatal & Massage Instructor

You don't need a degree in psychology to understand that trauma can harm your mental and physical well-being, especially if you're trying to conceive. What our TTC community might not know, however, is how quickly all the "minor" discomforts on this journey can add up––or that the pain doesn't magically subside if their TTC journey ends in success.

Our bodies keep track of every trauma, whether it’s Big T or not, whether we're TCC or not. Those wounds manifest in chronic illness, mental health issues, and infertility.

Enter Stephen Kelly LMT, a US Veteran and Pulling Down The Moon's newest massage therapist. Stephen is uniquely qualified to intuit the needs of clients with complex PTSD. He holds energetic space for whatever might arise during their visit and invites them to experience these moments without shame or judgment.

Society has long conditioned us to minimize our pain, especially when it's emotional in nature. While massage isn't a cure-all, regular therapeutic sessions can improve overall well-being while temporarily relieving feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression.

When the feelings surface, Stephen advises clients to go ahead and cry. "It cleanses the soul," he says, adding that his role in this process is to simply bear witness. "I don't offer advice; I just listen." He'll also pause a session, staying in non-threatening physical contact with the client until they give their permission to proceed. "I tell them that this is a safe place, that it's okay [to] release it, because crying is healthy,” he says.

Before coming to Pulling Down the Moon, Stephen worked with veterans suffering from PTSD. It came to him through meditation that he might also serve pregnant clients experiencing complex PTSD. "I took a class in prenatal massage,” He then received training in Mercier Therapy, a technique that helps restore mobility to the pelvic organs and is also available at Pulling Down the Moon.

"I believe that if I can get the mind to relax, the body will follow," says Stephen. We couldn't agree more! Pulling Down the Moon is thrilled to share Stephen’s expertise with our community. He's that rare combination of a gentle soul with a firm touch.