Massage for Parkinson’s Disease: How Somatic Therapy Supports Movement and Relief

1: Understanding Parkinson’s and the Role of Bodywork

Parkinson’s disease affects more than movement, influencing every part of a person’s daily life. Tremors, stiffness, and changes in balance or coordination can make it harder to feel comfortable in one’s own body. Over time, this can lead to chronic tension, anxiety, and even a sense of disconnection from the body’s natural rhythms.

Medical massage therapy offers a gentle, supportive way to help manage these challenges. Through mindful touch, improved circulation, and nervous-system-based approaches, massage can help ease rigidity, support mobility, and reduce stress. In my Phoenix practice, somatic bodywork combines these physical benefits with a deeper awareness of the mind-body connection, helping clients living with Parkinson’s find greater comfort and stability.

2: How Does Massage Help with Parkinson’s Disease?

Massage therapy for Parkinson’s disease focuses on restoring comfort, mobility, and nervous-system balance. Regular sessions can improve flexibility, reduce pain, and encourage smoother, more coordinated movement.

Here’s how massage supports common symptoms:

• Tremors and Muscle Tension: Gentle, rhythmic techniques can have a positive effect on reducing resting and postural tremors (Casciaro, 2016) by helping relax overactive muscles and reducing tremor intensity.

• Rigidity and Stiffness: Targeted work on the fascia and surrounding tissues can increase range of motion, helping with walking, stretching, or reaching.

• Circulation and Swelling: Slow, consistent pressure encourages blood flow, oxygenation, and tissue repair.

• Emotional Relief: Parkinson’s can take a toll on mental health. Massage supports parasympathetic activation, or the body’s “rest and digest” state, helping reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

While massage doesn’t treat the underlying neurological causes, it supports the body in adapting and recovering, helping clients feel more at ease in their movements and their daily lives.

3: The Somatic Approach: Reconnecting the Body and Nervous System

Somatic therapy adds another dimension to bodywork. “Somatic” means “of the body,” but in practice, it’s about learning to sense and feel what’s happening inside, something that can be disrupted when living with a chronic condition like Parkinson’s.

In somatic massage, we move slowly and mindfully. Sessions may include guided awareness, gentle movement, and a focus on what the client feels rather than how the body “should” move. By re-establishing the connection between body and mind, clients often experience improved coordination, balance, and calm.

This approach supports the nervous system’s regulation, helping reduce chronic stress and increasing the body’s ability to self-organize (Mac Dougall, 2022). Many of my clients describe feeling grounded, less tense, and more attuned to their body’s signals after sessions.

4: What to Expect During a Somatic Massage Session

Each session is tailored to your exact needs that day. You don’t have to know what type of massage you need or come prepared with a specific plan; that’s my job. Your body and comfort guide the process.

A typical session might include:

• A brief conversation or assessment regarding symptoms, medication timing, and comfort preferences.

• Supportive bolstering or side-lying positioning for ease and safety.

• Gentle touch, rocking, or myofascial techniques to ease stiffness and improve movement.

• Periods of stillness for integration and nervous-system regulation.

Sessions are quiet, slow, and centered on your comfort level. There’s no rush, no pressure to “perform,” and no expectation. Only the intention to help your body reconnect and move with greater ease.

5: Accessibility and Comfort: Bodywork That Meets You Where You Are

Accessibility is a key part of somatic practice. My Phoenix studio is located on the ground level, with parking close by and no stairs to navigate. The apartment is wheelchair accessible, and the studio is calm, private, and sensory-friendly.

If you are unable to drive, I offer mobile massage on a case-by-case basis. I can bring the session to your home or care facility with minimal setup, ensuring comfort and continuity of care. The only requirement is a space big enough for a king-sized bed, and a distraction-free environment. 

All sessions are done fully clothed, using gentle touch through soft, comfortable fabrics. This option helps clients who prefer minimal transitions or experience temperature or sensory sensitivities. Clothed massage also makes it easier for caregivers to assist or remain present when needed.

These options ensure that anyone, regardless of mobility or comfort level, can experience the benefits of somatic bodywork.

6: Integrating Somatic Massage into Holistic Parkinson’s Care

Massage works best as part of a broad care plan. Clients often combine bodywork with physical therapy, medication, or movement practices like yoga, tai chi, or walking. The consistency of gentle, nervous-system-aware touch complements these approaches beautifully.

In the context of Parkinson’s, the goal isn’t to “fix” the body but to support it. Our goal is to help the nervous system find new patterns of ease and awareness. Many clients notice improvements not only in movement but also in mood, energy, and self-connection.

Somatic massage can also be a valuable practice for caregivers and loved ones, offering a moment of rest, grounding, and shared presence.

7: Schedule a Session in Phoenix

If you or someone you love is living with Parkinson’s, somatic bodywork is a safe, supportive space to reconnect with your body and feel more at ease in daily movement.

My practice focuses on gentle, accessible, and trauma-informed bodywork that meets you where you are, whether that’s in the studio or the comfort of your home.

Book a session or reach out to learn more about how massage and somatic therapy can support your healing journey.

Book a Session

References & Further Reading

Casciaro Y. (2016). Massage Therapy Treatment and Outcomes for a Patient with Parkinson's Disease: a Case Report. International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork, 9(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.3822/ijtmb.v9i1.287

Mac Dougall, L. (2022, January 31). Big benefits of massage for Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Research Organization. https://www.parkinsonsresource.org/news/articles/big-benefits-of-massage-for-parkinsons/