When I was a little kid I loved to have my arms and back scratched. I was forever throwing myself into my mom’s lap and putting my back in her face and begging her to “Scratch meeeeeee!” (Yeah, I know, obnoxious.)
I loved going to church on Sundays for the sole reason that to keep me entertained my mom would put her arm around me during the sermon and gently scratch my arms. It was heaven. (No pun intended.)
Not much has changed since I’ve gotten older. The only difference is instead of bugging my mom to rub my back, I pester Bill to do it.
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About 10 years ago I was in two car accidents about nine months apart. Apparently, the cherry red Pontiac Grand Prix I was driving at the time was like a beacon for stupid drivers. In both accidents I was rear-ended. In the first accident I was was hit at about 20 miles per hour by an older woman in a Cadillac the size of a battle ship. I saw her in my rear view mirror, cruising towards me while she was looking down fiddling with her radio or something. Seeing it coming and not being able to move (I was stopped on the freeway in morning rush-hour traffic) makes it worse. Because I tensed up.
The second accident was a little more violent. I was the first car stopped at a red light. There was one car behind me and the driver of the car behind him didn’t see the red light (Or our brake lights. Or the two cars in front of him for that matter) and plowed into the car behind me at about 40 mph. He never had time to brake. Both cars careened into me, shoving me into the intersection. I didn’t see or hear that one coming.
Both accidents really jacked up my back and neck. I went to a chiropractor for a while, but I realized that stretching and working out regularly help me more so when my back gets tight, I try to do that.
Rub my back, pleeeeeeease??
However, once in while I have to see a good massage therapist.
I realize massage is kind of a frivolous expense, but over the years I’ve become more dependent on them. I still pester Bill to rub my neck, but I think he’s totally over me now. I try not to bug him unless I’m really desperate. So a year ago I signed up at a place called Massage Envy, a no-frills “spa” (no showers, no actual spa) where you pay a monthly fee for massages or facials.
I don’t actually like having relaxing, soothing massages. After a massage I love to walk out feeling like I had a good workout—my muscles are a little sore and I feel stretched. Sometimes I feel like I had my ass kicked. And it’s awesome. I’ve learned to seek out therapists who are not only schooled in massage therapy, but ones who also have an interest in Eastern Medicine and acupressure because they really seem to understand how to get deep into the muscles and work the knots out. I get a lot of headaches from the tension in my back and neck the best and worst feeling in the world is when someone sticks a thumb in an acupressure point that coordinates with those specific muscles. There’s that second of “FUCK!” and then “Ahhhhh!”
Last week was ridiculous. If if could go wrong, it did. I smacked the front of the car into a cement post (one that I park next to every single day), the dishwasher broke, the coffee maker broke (THIS was the real tragedy), my favorite pair of shoes broke (this was the second tragedy) and I got a lot of shit from both of my bosses all day Friday. To top it all off, I had a brutal sinus headache—the first one I’ve had in a couple of months.
So I got a massage on Saturday. Not only did it relieve my neck and back pain (hey! I can stand up straight) but it obliterated my sinus headache. I walked out of there totally renewed.
The best part? I’ve got 4 hours of massage stocked up.
That’s actually kind of pathetic, isn’t it? Especially because a good massage puts me back together again. It clears my mind, eases my body and makes me feel like I’m ready to take on the world.
After my nap, that is.
I wonder if I can get Bill to scratch my back while I sleep.
Ditto everything you said (except the car accidents – my back pain is gymnastic related). Strangely enough I don’t get headaches as much since I had kids – you’d think I’d have more tension from carrying them around all the time. We have a Massage Envy right by our house, and while I haven’t gotten a membership yet I did get a massage there for my birthday. The therapist DID NOT use enough pressure for me at all, so while it was relaxing it didn’t really fix any of the kinks. Before we moved I had the best massage therapist who would come to my house and basically beat the shit out of me – but I always felt so much better after the bruises wore off! okay, didn’t mean to hijack the comments with an essay – hope you get another massage soon!
Maybe you’re too busy chasing kids around to think about your head?!
I used to feel back about speaking up during a massage, but I realized I’m only cheating myself out of what I’m paying for. Next time tell the therapist what you want.
I would LOVE to have someone come to myself because then I could just roll into bed for a nap when they leave!
I’ve never been a massage person, but you’re the second person in as many days that has made it sound like it actually would be good to try. My back is killing me right now, nothing as exciting as car accidents, just a torn disc from shamefully enough a foot slipping yoga mishap. Since we’re in New York this week I don’t have my muscle relaxant meds with me (I shouldn’t have travelled without the emergency Flexeril), but maybe I’ll try to find a place to get a massage.
Thanks for the tip!
Ouch! That sounds like it must hurt a lot. You might get a little relief from a good massage. When you make your appointment, make sure to tell them about your problem and ask for a recommendation.
Good luck!