Tailoring massage for neurodivergence

Since I was diagnosed neurodivergent in 2024 I have been thinking about massage and the role it has played in my life. I believe that it has enabled me to develop a better relationship with my body, something which helped me even when I didn’t know I was autistic but was struggling with life. I believe touch is a powerful medium through which we can learn about ourselves and become more present in our bodies. It is not a luxury - it is something we all need.

Neurodiversity is a concept that recognises and respects neurological differences as any other human variation. These differences include conditions like Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia. Neurodiverse individuals often face unique challenges in daily life. Many people are over or under-sensitive to sensory input and have difficulties processing sensory information (auditory, visual and tactile), from the environment. But this doesn't mean that touch is contraindicated, only that it needs to be the right type of touch.

But what is the right type of touch? Well, there is no one-size-fits-all, let’s make that clear from the outset. There is no set style of massage which works best for neurodivergent people, in fact, no set style that works best for anyone because massage should always be tailored specifically to the person receiving it. It should never be a set routine. This is one of my fundamental beliefs as a bodyworker. So with this in mind, let’s explore how massage can be tailored to suit anyone who identifies as neurodivergent.

Getting on the couch
One of the most important parts of any therapeutic relationship is trust, and this is something that has to be built from the ground up. If you struggle to meet new people or are anxious about the process of having a massage, and this is putting you off trying it, then I want to say that I hear you! Despite having a lot of bodywork throughout my life I have always been cautious about working with any new therapists because I need that therapist to understand and respect my body just as it is. And it can be hard sometimes, to know if that therapist is the right fit for you until you meet them in person.

With this in mind, there are ways we can work to make the process less overwhelming. For example, you could book a 15-minute session with me either online or in person, where we have time to talk, I explain how I work and you can ask me lots of questions. This means no surprises. In this first session, there will be no massage! In our second session, we can try some massage, maybe fully clothed if that’s what works for you and maybe only 30 mins. And then from here, at each session, we move at the pace that suits you, extending the time we work together so you are getting the full benefit from each session.

The waiting room
If you're worried about having to wait in a noisy, busy environment, let me reassure you that the treatment rooms where my practice is based, are one of the most tranquil places I have ever worked from!

Itchy sheets
When you are neurodivergent, what you feel (on your skin), hear and smell can all be sources of irritation at times, but I believe that with thought and attention, we can modify any how we work to meet diverse needs, likes and dislikes. You will find that many massage therapists use brushed cotton sheets and couch covers because they are soft and comfortable. I am no exception to this. But I have plain cotton sheets and covers too, so you can always ask for these if they feels better on your skin. My cushions and pillows, which are numerous in shape and size, are either covered in brushed cotton or a plain calico, so again, we can choose the ones that you like the feel of the best.

Vestibular issues
If you ever suffer from vestibular issues (this refers to the sense of head movement in space, which plays a role in the body’s sense of balance, awareness of space, gravity and movement), then I have a weighted blanket which can be used to help ground you and make you feel less ‘lost in space’.

Heat and Cold
Maybe you feel the cold more than others or have constantly cold hands or feet? In this case you can have a heated blanket and lots of hot stones. If heat is not great for you then we don’t use either of these things and we can turn down the room temperature too.

Funky music
Music can help to fill the ‘space’ that people often feel they need to fill with conversation. It can also provide the brain with something to engage with during the session, helping it to switch off a bit. But my music choices may not be yours, and if this is the case, tell me what you like to listen to, and what you find relaxing, and we can use that. And if you wold prefer, we can have no music at all.

To smell or not to smell
If you have a heightened sense of smell, certain fragrances can trigger anxiety while others may make you feel happy and relaxed. It can be hard sometimes to know what smells you dislike until you catch a sniff and decide it's not for you. I understand this, and have always used a range of different mediums that include fragranced & unfragranced oils and waxes. I always let people have a sniff and decide which one they like the most at the start of the session. That way you get to smell what you want to!

Fidgeting
This is something that I’ve had many of my neurodivergent clients apologise for, and I want to say right up front, that it is not something to apologise for! If you find that keeping still is hard, then know that it is fine to move during a massage. This may mean fingers, hands, arms, feet, it doesn't really matter. You can even ask to change your body position if you need to.

A precise touch
The depth of touch used during a massage is very important as neurodivergent people are often over- or under-stimulated by touch. Touch that is too light can be unproductive, over-stimulating or anxiety-inducing. Deeper techniques can help to dampen the nervous system's over-regulation. These techniques may include things like long strokes, kneading, hot stone work, joint compression or trigger point work.

How massage can help
Massage works to help regulate sensory input and provides tactile stimulation in a controlled and predictable manner. This can support sensory integration (the process of the brain organizing and responding to information from the senses), improve body awareness, and enhance overall sensory processing abilities.

Deep massage can enhance proprioceptive awareness, allowing people to have a better sense of where their bodies are in space. It can also help to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and provide a safe space in which to just ‘be’. All of this can lead to improved mood, better sleep patterns, and increased feeling of being ‘present’ in the body. And of course, we can work together at the same time to reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain, ease headaches and migraines, bring more space to the body and improve your range of motion.

Working together
Regardless of the massage techniques we choose to use in a session, I believe that the key to success rests on always following your lead. After all, you are the authority on your body. In practice, this means that we always work together when we do massage. So to recap:

• If you don’t want to take any of your clothes off, that’s fine, keep them on

• If the touch doesn’t feel quite right, we ease off, go deeper or change the technique

• You can choose the parts of your body you are comfortable having touched

• If a certain part of your body is resistant to move, we never force it to go somewhere that is uncomfortable

• Too hot or too cold? Let’s adjust the temperature in the room, change the heated blanket or sheets, and use more hot stones or none at all

• If you don’t want to lie down, we can use a chair

• If you need to fidget or move during the session, thats fine

• If you have vestibular issues we can use a weighted blanket

• During the session you can talk to me, ask questions, request narration (I can tell you where I am working and where I will be working next) or be completely silent.
  
  

If you have never had a massage and would like to find out more, please do contact me for a chat. I am always happy to explain how I work and how I can help.