Massage

[write]

well as part of my relaxation quest I opened tomorrow's date in the Simple Abundance Daybook and it suggests massage, so I booked 30 minutes for starters. Not sure what type I will use, I'll talk to the person about it.

Any suggestions?

I've managed not to grind my teeth today but it's quite a difficult habit to break- trying not to do it causes a tension too, and it's almost subconscious.

[Hopalong]

Hi Write,

I love Shiatsu.
Glad you're going to get some help relaxing, you deserve that.

Happy nurturing,
Hops

[Healing&Hopeful]

Oh wow, that sounds lovely.  I've only ever had one professional massage... it was an elimis (sp) wrap with back massage.  It does leave your skin feeling lovely, however you do have to be wrapped in tin foil and then wrapped in the tin foil, shuffle your way to the shower.  I felt like a turkey!    Whatever you decide on will be great for you and a fab relaxing treat.  Enjoy it. xx

[gratitude28]

I really want to get a foot massage. There is a Thai girl who does it here... just the thought of it makes me feel gooshy! Actually, I am going to call her right now! You reminded me of it! I also go once a month with my daughter for pedicures and nail art! It is so nice. This is the first time in my life I have started to do these things for myself!
Shiatsu is nice... as is Lomi Lomi.
Enjoy... enjoy... enjoy...

[write]

go for it girl!

I get a pedicure about every 6 weeks and the Chinese ladies do a good job.
They wrap my legs and ankles in a seaweed concoction- honestly, it cures swollen ankles if I had a bad night and didn't sleep.

Has anyone tried REFLEXOLOGY?

I can't decide if that is valid, given the immense benefits and sensitivity of foot care.

[Portia]

Has anyone tried massage after a lifetime of ….. thinking the idea is ….unthinkable, as a pleasant experience? (I can’t imagine enjoying it. The idea makes my toes curl. I can just about cope with a haircut. But I’m curious about it.)

Has anyone overcome these feelings/thoughts?

[Healing&Hopeful]

Has anyone tried massage after a lifetime of ….. thinking the idea is ….unthinkable, as a pleasant experience? (I can’t imagine enjoying it. The idea makes my toes curl. I can just about cope with a haircut. But I’m curious about it.)

Has anyone overcome these feelings/thoughts?

Hi Portia

I can relate to where you are coming from…. Before I went for my massage I was scared stiff (sorry should have spell checked... edited to change still to stiff), sat on the edge of the bed thing like a frightened rabbit, not sure what they were going to do to me.  I very nearly didn’t go through with it, however the girl who did my massage helped by talking me through everything beforehand, what she was going to do, and why and what the benefits were going to be for me.  If I’d had someone who wasn’t prepared to do that, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have gone through with it.  However afterwards I did feel more relaxed (though I suppose I couldn’t have felt more tense beforehand, so anything would have been more relaxing maybe!  ), and I would have it done again.

I don’t enjoy getting my hair cut either… always feel dead nervous beforehand and have to force myself to go!

Love H&H xx

[Brigid]

I love a good long (at least an hour) deep tissue back massage.  I have had a couple of back injuries and a whiplash and carry all my tension in my neck and shoulders.  I need to have someone who will attack those knots and tight spots mercilessly, or it is a waste of time for me.

I have not had the reflexology, but my best friend does it regularly and loves it.  She struggles with osteo-arthritis in her knees and it does give her some relief.

I have found that it is difficult to find a really good massage therapist.

Brigid

[write]

Thanks!

I'll see what transpires today, and expect to try a few to find one that really suits me.

I'll look into the reflexology too.

I am more relaxed- haven't been grinding my teeth in the night, that's 2 nights now. I can tell my jaw is much less sore than a few days ago, and the gums areound my crown.

[mum]

I used to go for massages a lot, when I carried my children, and had horrible back pain. Shiatsu is ok. but 7 seconds of hell on a trigger point can be pretty intense. Although I did find a bit of relief. The best for me is deep tissue, Swedish, mostly....but there are so many kinds now.  I can't go to a man. Just don't like it. But I have had some great women massage therapists. Sometimes I cry, just like when I have had accupuncture.  I hear this is common. 
anyway, I sure could use one now! I just don't have time!!

[write]

IT WAS GREAT!

I just had half an hour trial session and like you say in places it's a bit raw, but I just told her when I thought something was painful.

I'm going to try every treatment, one at a time.

This is much more fun than dating!!!

[Moira]

ahh- massage!!! Glad you enjoyed it, Write! thanks for your post, by the by and I'm glad things are o.k in write's world! i love massages! I've never been good at taking care of myself and just started in past few months getting massages every two weeks. Have chronic neck and shoulder pain and past injuries, surgeries etc. Has made a world of difference!!! I do agree with ? Brigid on the intense pain from deep tissue massage! Wow! sometimes feels like a spike is being driven through you! I identify with you, Portia, on reservations though! I personally hate foot massages and can barely stand- pardon the poor pun!- pedicures! Based on my sadistic, but not N father- who used to take a straight razor and sit on me and then cut plantar's warts out of my heels as a kid. Used to tell me ' it doesn't hurt because you have calluses on your heels". I always ended up with holes- literally- in my heels that i could stuff cotton in and talk about pain!!!! What I always found ' interesting" is that my older sister- who also had plantars warts- was sent to doctors to have them removed! She also was never physically abused by my father, like I was. a really sick thing about my Dad was he used to tell people that what he really wanted to be was a doctor- talk about your Dr. Mengele bed side manner! anyway- therapeutic touch is wonderful and healing! Moira

[gratitude28]

It's funny that you mention that fear, Portia. I hadn't really thought about it. I make an appointment now and I force myself to go. I always end up enjoying myself and feeling good and wondering why I don't do more nice things for myself. I think I also fear that they will be thinking negative thoughts about me (isn't that dumb? Like they don't see a million people a year). I do it with the doctor and the hair cutter and anyone else Ihave appointments with. I feel like they will think I am fat or ugly, or my hair is awful and I don't take care of it right or the doctor will know that I am not taking care of myself right. I have this idea, I think, that someone somewhere has a list of the way you are "supposed to be" and I don't fulfill that list. God knows what it is I think is the mold I am supposed to fit into. And I don't have these expectations of any other people... At any rate, Portia, I used to make appointments and continually cancel them from fear. Force yourself to go to one and then try another one a month or two later. It is getting easier for me. It's funny, I never feel weird about taking my kids for appointments... I guess because I think they are perfect????

[Portia]

H&H thank you, when are you having your next one?

Teartracks, thank you so much for your description of that day, it makes a good, warm, safe image in my mind which is maybe what I need.

Mum, I heard that some people cry too. Tapping into the body’s memories of pain? Or touching emotional pain held in the body? I’m only just starting to think about these things.

Moira, feet are so important. What parents do to kids. It’s never not shocking. (((Moira)))

Beth thank you, I think it’s not giving my body much thought (I don’t care that I’m not ‘perfect’) but I feel….somewhat apart from it and it’s…..just there. I guess I don’t give it much worth! I guess listening to all of you, I’m not exactly healthy in the way I feel about ‘it’. Funny how it’s an ‘it’ to me. Even saying ‘my body’ feels odd. Work in progress.

Write This is much more fun than dating!!!  I shall remember that when I finally bite the massage bullet!  Good for you.

[write]

Write This is much more fun than dating!!!  I shall remember that when I finally bite the massage bullet!   Good for you.

I've just met a really nice guy too! But I'm only half-way through my self-imposed 'no love relationships' time....