“That's the thing about pain - it demands to be felt.” Often during a session, the inner dialogue of a skilled massage therapist could include the thought, "I feel your pain." Quite literally.
The experience of being seen for who and what we truly are, past and present pain included, can in and of itself be transformational. Simply having our current state recognized by another person may often be a catalyst for healing processes to begin, even if nothing changes in our external circumstances. It seems pain not only demands to be felt by the individual experiencing it, but also to be witnessed and affirmed as real and valid by another.
Of course, great therapy of any kind goes beyond saying, "I feel your pain" and moves toward releasing some of the restrictions that keep us stuck in painful patterns. Great massage therapy says, "I feel your pain and, with time, I can help provide tangible relief." ~ natalie.
make :: space.
// FOR RELIEF.
What Keeps Us Stuck
in RELIEF