03/21/2026
Ever have a memory of a death hit you like a bullet? This could be about a person or a pet that has left us. One minute you’re reading a book and then BAM the image of them passing or a memory hits you like a ton of bricks and you get so overwhelmed with feelings and usually you will cry. This is called “Grief Bursts”.
These bursts are a normal part of the grieving process. Grief isn’t linear, so instead of steadily fading, it tends to come and go in waves. During a grief burst, you might cry suddenly, feel a tightness in your chest, become irritable, or feel briefly “flooded” with emotion. The intensity usually passes quickly, though the emotional impact can linger. Over time, most people find these bursts become less frequent and more manageable, even if they never fully disappear. I have noticed for me, when they get less frequent they hit even harder.
These bursts happen a lot during my sessions as my clients allow their minds to relax and deal with their trauma or grief. Just know….this is normal. My office is a safe place for those bursts and for you to let go.
Just know your massage therapist grieves over:
- The loss of her heart dog on March 13th, 2020
- Ending a 5 year relationship (the look on his face haunts me still)
- My grandpa & grandma
- My childhood (I was very loved)
- Most recently my downtown office
- Who I was before my domestic violence
Massage therapy can sometimes unlock grief bursts because it works directly with the body & grief isn’t just emotional, it’s also stored physically. When you experience loss, your body often holds onto that stress in the nervous system and muscles. You might unconsciously tighten certain areas (like the chest, shoulders, jaw, or hips) as a way of coping. During massage, those areas begin to relax and release. As that physical tension lets go, the emotions tied to it can surface, sometimes suddenly. Massage also shifts your body out of “survival mode” into a more relaxed, parasympathetic state. When your system finally feels safe enough, it may allow feelings you’ve been holding back. That’s when a grief burst can happen. You are never alone in your healing journey.
