Somatic Emotional Release Facial

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Our Somatic Emotional Release Facial is a holistic treatment that integrates physical touch with the awareness of the body-mind connection, promoting both physical and emotional healing. 

This treatment emphasizes the idea that our body holds onto emotions, memories, and experiences, often manifesting as tension, discomfort, or even illness. Somatic massage aims to release these deep-seated tensions and restore balance within the body and mind as these are held more often than not in our facial, jaw, and neck areas.

We use slow, intentional movements, often encouraging you to tune into your body's sensations and responses. This mindful engagement of the body helps foster a sense of presence and grounding, creating space for both physical and emotional restoration.

The Somatic Emotional Release Facial extends beyond muscle relaxation. By calming the nervous system and increasing body awareness, this technique helps to reduce chronic stress, boost emotional resilience, and promote overall well-being. 

Our health partners often report a sense of lightness and freedom after the treatment, as the process allows them to release emotional or mental burdens they've been carrying, consciously or unconsciously.

This type of treatment also has a profound impact on the skin, as the reduction of stress hormones like cortisol leads to improved skin tone and elasticity. Through this mind-body connection, the skin is able to rejuvenate more effectively, resulting in a natural glow and a more youthful appearance over time.

In essence, its not just a physical treatment, it is a journey of self-awareness and healing. It invites you to reconnect with your body, release stored tension, and embrace the power of being present in your own skin.

Key Aspects of Somatic Emotional Release Facial:

• Focuses on the body-mind connection and the release of emotional and physical tension.
• Encourages you to be mindful of your body sensations, promoting deeper awareness and healing.
• Uses slow, intentional movements to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation.
• Helps reduce cortisol levels, leading to improved skin health and slowing the ageing process.
• Invites a holistic sense of well-being, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.

It targets the:

• Face
• Head
• Neck
• Shoulders

See below for details of which emotions relate to which areas of the Face, Head, Neck and Shoulders

Face: Suppressed Emotions & Social Masks

• Jaw & TMJ Tightness → Repressed Anger & Frustration
  • Clenching the jaw or grinding teeth (bruxism) is often linked to unspoken anger,       frustration, or stress.
  • Holding back words or emotions can lead to tension in the masseter muscles.

• Forehead & Brow Furrowing → Worry, Overthinking, & Anxiety
  • A constantly furrowed brow may indicate chronic worry or mental overload.
  • Linked to excessive thinking, perfectionism, or deep concentration.

• Mouth & Lips → Suppression of Self-Expression
  • Tight lips can indicate holding back emotions (especially sadness or anger).
  • Quivering lips often occur with unprocessed grief or fear.

• Cheeks – Expression, Embarrassment & Suppressed Emotions

The cheeks are central to our facial expressions and emotional responses.

• Tension or tightness in the cheeks → Suppressed joy, unexpressed emotions, emotional masking (pretending to be okay).
• Blushing or flushing easily → Embarrassment, shyness, social anxiety, fear of judgment.
• Numbness  or tingling → Emotional detachment, feeling disconnected from oneself.
• Sunken cheeks or lack of fullness → Chronic stress, sadness, exhaustion, or      emotional depletion.

• Eyes – Grief, Sadness, Overwhelm & Insight

The eyes are often called the “windows to the soul” because they reveal deep emotions.

• Heavy or tired eyes → Emotional exhaustion, depression, or feeling overwhelmed.
• Dry eyes → Suppressed emotions, difficulty in processing grief or sadness.
• Watery or teary eyes (without crying) → Unreleased grief, emotional sensitivity.
• Dark circles or puffiness → Stress, emotional fatigue, long-term sadness or worry.
• Eye twitching → Anxiety, nervous energy, internalized frustration

• Nose – Intuition, Disgust & Unprocessed Trauma

The nose is linked to our sense of smell, breath, and instinctual responses.

• Blocked or stuffy nose (without illness) → Unprocessed grief, emotional congestion, difficulty "breathing through" life challenges.
• Frequent sneezing (without allergies) → Repressed anger or irritation.
• Sensitivity to smells → Emotional trauma, subconscious triggers tied to past experiences.
• Wrinkling or scrunching the nose → Disgust, resentment, rejection of a situation      or emotion.

Head: Mental Overload & Suppressed Fear

• Tension Headaches → Stress & Overwhelm
  • Often caused by excessive thinking, perfectionism, or feeling overburdened.
  • A sign of being mentally "stuck" or overwhelmed.
• Scalp Tightness → Hypervigilance & Fear
  • A tight or painful scalp can indicate chronic stress, fear, or hyper-alertness.
  • People with PTSD or high anxiety may hold tension in the scalp unconsciously.
• Temple Pain → Emotional Pressure & Decision Fatigue
  • Linked to indecision, mental pressure, and unresolved stress.
  • Can be common in people who feel like they are constantly making tough choices.

Neck: Burden & Repressed Expression

• Stiff Neck → Resisting Change & Emotional Rigidity
  • A stiff or painful neck can symbolize stubbornness or difficulty in seeing different perspectives.
  • May be linked to feeling trapped, unsupported, or carrying a heavy emotional burden.
• Throat Tightness → Suppressed Expression & Grief
  • Difficulty speaking up, expressing emotions, or "swallowing" emotions can create throat tension.
  • Linked to fear of speaking the truth, unprocessed grief, or feeling unheard.

Shoulders – Carrying Responsibility & Emotional Weight

• Tight shoulders → Carrying burdens, responsibility, emotional pressure.
• Pain or knots in shoulders → Holding onto past trauma, unresolved stress.
• One-sided tension (left or right shoulder) →
  • Right shoulder → External stress (work, responsibilities, taking on too much).
  • Left shoulder → Emotional pain, personal struggles, inner burdens.