Grief Massage

By Stacie Rodrigues

What Grief Massage Can Offer

• Grief massage provides a relaxing and peaceful massage experience for people in their time of grieving.

• This type of massage can be a powerful component of self-care by meeting you where you are during this stressful and sensitive time in your grief journey.

•A safe nurturing space with no agenda that provides safe pockets of quiet reprieve where you can just be without expectations.


Why Grief Massage

A loss can trigger increased stress responses that can include:

• Increase stress/anxiety

• Muscle aches and pains

• Depression

• Sleeping difficulties

• Headache/migraine's

•Compromised immune system​

Grief massage can offer relief from these responses by bringing the body from stress into relaxation.


What to expect during your massage

• A safe and compassionate space where you can choose to be fully clothed or disrobed to your comfort level.

• A gentle relaxing grief massage that typically focuses on these areas and can also be tailored to your needs.

• Scalp and face

• Neck and back

• Arms and hands

• Calves and feet

• A grief focused massage may prompt tears and expressions of grief. This is a normal response, I am here to support you as you move through the experience.

•I add an extra 30 minutes to the appointment time so the process is not rushed


Greif  Massage FAQ

How is grief massage different than traditional massage?

Grief massage isn’t focused on deep tissue work or going after knots in the muscles. The focus is on relaxation. Because grief can be a stressful experience we are more focused on helping the body move into rest and relax. Having said that, if there are some muscles that you really want addressed, we can spend 10 to 20 minutes at the beginning of the session focused on one specific area.

Why should I get grief massage rather than traditional massage?

Traditional massage is great and it can be very relaxing but the practitioner isn’t likely trained for the issues that come with grief. Usually the focus is on releasing knots from the muscles. Sometimes that kind of deep work isn’t what we need when we are grieving. I have trained to be able to respond to the things that can come up with grieving clients. I’m here to hold a space for you to feel safe, to relax and hopefully have a moment of reprieve from the physical suffering that can come with grief.

Do I have to remove my clothing for grief massage?

For grief massage to be effective you should feel safe and comfortable. Sometimes that will mean you remain clothed, sometimes you may choose to disrobe to your comfort level. At each session that choice is always yours. Should you choose to remain clothed, it is recommended to wear comfortable cotton clothing such as a cotton t-shirt and cotton yoga pants or sweat pants. Avoid wearing anything with a fitted waistband or buttons as these can be restricting and uncomfortable.

What if I start to cry during the massage?

It’s not unusual for people to have an emotional release while receiving grief massage or even several hours later or the next day. Grief massage allows you to relax and feel safe, those conditions can open our emotions. The emotional release can come in many forms, not just crying. People may shake, feel suddenly very hot or begin to sweat, feel different sensations in the skin. All these expressions are honored and welcome.

We will talk before the session begins and with your permission I can check in with you if I notice you’re having an emotional release. There are several options at that point. We can discuss those options at the time of your appointment.

My loss was a long time ago. Does it still make sense to get grief massage?

Grief can stay with us for many years. If you’re still experiencing grief from any kind of loss then you can benefit from grief massage.

To Schedule a Greif Massage

Please call or text 423-710-5781