Nervous System Support: How Holistic Therapies Help Ease PTSD and Anxiety

Living with PTSD or anxiety can feel like being stuck in a body that’s constantly bracing for impact. At Intention Wellness at SUN Therapy, I approach healing through the lens of the nervous system~ offering services grounded in research, safety, and the belief that recovery is possible when the body and mind are supported together.

This post explores how massage therapy, Reiki, red light therapy, and mindfulness- all services I offer- support clients coping with trauma and anxiety, backed by the latest science.

1. Massage Therapy: Calming the Hyperaroused Nervous System

Massage therapy is more than relaxation, it’s regulation. For individuals with PTSD and anxiety, the autonomic nervous system often remains in a heightened state. Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping lower cortisol and increase serotonin and dopamine, which can improve mood and decrease anxiety (Field, 2016).

A 2013 randomized controlled trial found that massage therapy significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in veterans after just four weeks (Collinge et al., 2012).

Key takeaway: Safe, intentional touch helps the body feel secure, which is essential for trauma recovery.

2. Reiki: Energy-Based Support for Emotional Release

Reiki offers a non-invasive, energetically grounded support system for those who may be touch-sensitive or emotionally overwhelmed. Research shows Reiki can lower anxiety and depression scores and increase emotional regulation. A pilot study found significant improvements in PTSD symptoms and sleep among veterans receiving Reiki (Baldwin et al., 2017).

Key takeaway: Reiki supports emotional safety and balance without overwhelming the nervous system.

3. Red Light Therapy: Cellular Healing for Mental Health

Emerging evidence supports red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation) for improving brain function, mood, and sleep, three core concerns in PTSD and anxiety. A 2019 review found that near-infrared light applied to the forehead significantly improved symptoms of major depression and PTSD through increased cerebral blood flow and mitochondrial function (Cassano et al., 2019).

Key takeaway: Cellular-level support can improve cognitive function, calm brain activity, and enhance mood regulation.

4. Mindfulness and Breathwork: Rewiring the Response to Triggers

Mindfulness has a strong research foundation for reducing anxiety and trauma-related symptoms. Through present-moment awareness, clients begin to unhook from automatic fight-flight responses. A 2018 meta-analysis confirmed mindfulness-based interventions reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in both civilian and veteran populations (Boyd et al., 2018).

At Intention Wellness, mindfulness and breathwork are woven into all our services, helping clients re-center and reconnect.

Key takeaway: Awareness builds safety in the body, moment by moment.

A Trauma-Informed Approach to Care

What sets Intention Wellness apart is not only what I offer, but how I offer it. I am trained in trauma-sensitive care~ creating a space where clients are met with empathy, choice, and agency. Whether it’s through intentional touch, stillness, light, or energy, our work supports the whole person, honoring both their history and their potential.

Conclusion

Healing from PTSD and anxiety isn’t linear, but it is possible. Through research-backed holistic therapies that work in harmony with the nervous system, clients at Intention Wellness at SUN Therapy find relief, regulation, and reconnection. Every breath, every session, every moment of stillness is part of that process.

You don’t have to navigate trauma alone. Let healing begin intentionally.

References

Baldwin, A. L., Wagers, C., & Schwartz, G. E. (2017). Reiki improves heart rate homeostasis in laboratory rats. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(9), 713–717. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0345

Boyd, J. E., Lanius, R. A., & McKinnon, M. C. (2018). Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: A review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence. Journal of Affective Disorders, 224, 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.01.070

Cassano, P., Petrie, S. R., Mischoulon, D., Cusin, C., Katnani, H., Yeung, A., & Bajwa, P. (2019). Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: Targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 88, 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.11.003

Collinge, W., Kahn, J., & Soltysik, R. (2012). Promoting reintegration of National Guard veterans through complementary and alternative medicine interventions. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 20(5), 287–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2011.12.002

Field, T. (2016). Massage therapy research review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 63, 314–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.03.003