Blending Somatics & Foot Massage - A Case Study

Published with informed consent for Olive Tree Therapies’ blog. Written by Maria.

This is the story of how a foot massage morphed into a somatic session that brought me powerful and unexpected emotional insights. So, first off, I really love having my feet rubbed. Not sure why - just has always felt great and, let’s face it, my feet do a lot of work. Whenever I worked with other massage therapists in the past I always noticed I felt sad that they didn’t work on my feet for longer but this time I decided that I would ask André to only work on my feet. Might seem corny - but in the session with André I discovered these old feet are a key to a lot more. Maybe I sort of always suspected they weren’t ‘just feet’  but not really consciously.

My feet are incredibly important to me. I’ve always thought they were flat out gorgeous - big and solid. People might make me unnerved about how I looked as a ‘girl’ but hell, no one could diss these great feet. No shame attached to them - as I have had with other aspects of my body - my ‘self’ - in my life.

I knew I would like the touch on my feet as André is great at what he does but I guess what was unexpected was the way I was transported emotionally. Beyond the feet into other realms. I mean that. I let go of general worries and relentless thoughts that I often still hold even during a massage. Memories from my really early childhood came up unexpectedly. I started making noises—kind of like a baby or a young child. I remembered my mother telling me she knew I was happy when I hummed to myself, even as a young kid. That memory came back really intensely, and I felt a sense of connection which I don’t often have when I think of my mother. 

I kind of felt I ‘transported’ myself but during all of this André guided and responded to me with words and in other ways. He checked in to be sure that it was ok to bring in the somatic work alongside the massage work. I felt safe and ok to let out noises and to enjoy. I felt ok to say - hmm not sure why this feels so intense physically and emotionally. But, this is what is going on inside me. 

By the end of the session, I felt safe enough to tell André I wanted a few more minutes to stay with the relaxed state I was in. I also asked him to stay with me quietly, just being present. Normally, it’s really hard for me to ask for help or to express what I need, but in that moment, I felt completely secure. Through my feet, I experienced a safety in my body I had forgotten was possible and that was one of the most profound visceral insights I’ve had in recent times.

A note by André, Somatic & Touch Therapist

My background in psychiatric settings, suicide prevention listening, somatic and touch therapy, and many years of yoga practice have all taught me that the body often speaks before words arrive. With Maria, it became clear quite early in the session that her feet were holding far more than physical tension. Her body is very transparent in how it feels. Her sighs and the way she volunteered information about what was happening inside herself were all cues of a body that might be ready to connect at a deeper level. I offered Maria the possibility of exploring her feelings further through somatic work, trusting that the relationship we have built over time would allow that exploration to unfold safely.

What moved me most was how a simple focus on feet, touch and presence became a meeting point for memory, trust and release. It reminded me once again that therapeutic work is not about technique alone but about offering space where the body can speak and be met without judgment.

Moments of release like these are humbling. They invite me to slow down, to witness rather than steer, and to keep learning from the quiet intelligence of the body and the deep courage of the people I work with.