Sensual Massage Therapy in the UK and Get Over It

Stiff Upper Lip Syndrome - don't cry over spilt milk, just get over it.

All so easy to say, and embedded into our culture. But what about when getting over it isn't so easy. 

Where is the fresh start on a new day?

What has happened to you? Was it sudden and catastrophic—an accident, a war, a natural disaster. Or a  quieter, more invisible wound such as a long illness, a childhood without safety, a painful breakup, years of chronic stress, or grief that lingers long after a loss.

At its heart, trauma is not just the event—it’s the impact it leaves behind. It’s what happens inside us when something overwhelms our ability to cope.

Trauma Comes in Many Forms

You might be recovering from:

• A single, intense event (an assault, a car accident)

• A long-term situation (abuse, neglect, caregiving burnout)

• Emotional losses (a death, divorce, estrangement)

• Physical illness or injury

• Burnout or breakdown from relentless pressure

• Even joyful transitions (parenthood, moving, coming out) can stir deep emotional stress

There is no hierarchy. If something hurt you, changed you, or left a mark—it matters.

How Trauma Shows Up in the Body

Trauma lives on in the mind. It settles into the body. You might feel:

• Tension that won’t release

• Exhaustion that rest doesn’t fix

• Trouble sleeping, relaxing, or feeling safe

• A sense of disconnection—from others or from yourself

• A racing heart, shallow breath, or physical discomfort with no medical explanation

This is the body’s way of saying, “I’m still bracing for impact.”

Massage and other somatic practices work with the body to slowly unwind that holding pattern.

Recovery Is a Process, Not a Destination

Recovery doesn’t mean forgetting, ignoring, or forcing yourself to move on. It means learning to be with your experience in a new way—gently, patiently, and with support. Massage can be part of that support. It offers a quiet, nonverbal path to reconnecting with your body and reminding yourself: I’m safe now. I can soften here.

In other posts, I explore exactly how massage works with the nervous system and why certain kinds of touch may feel more nurturing or more activating, depending on your story. Keep reading and watch out for my future posts.

For now, remember this: if you’re carrying something heavy, you are not alone—and you don’t have to carry it forever.