Ready to say "Ah!"

Over the weekend, my back decided a world where I didn’t see the chiropractor every week was not a world it wanted to be a part of. Tired of being good and being ignored, it acted up to get some attention. Damn, I hate anatomical bullies.

A knot formed over my left shoulder blade, sending tension up into my delts and neck. Soon my upper back was being punctuated by an occasional shooting pain. Zing! Zing! Ouch.

Putting my chin to my chest hurt, turning my head far to one side hurt, getting in and out of bed hurt, and staying in bed wasn’t much fun either. It wasn't incapacitating,  it was just enough to remind me that full blown back spasms might be one deep breath away.

I stayed out of the cold, damp weather, did some yoga, slapped a heat pack on my back, took some Advil overnight, and hoped for the best. It did get better each day, but it was clear it wasn’t going to disappear.

When I received an e-mail from the massage therapist I see from time to time, it was like getting a message from God. “Go ye therefore into the Land of Brussels, seek out Nikki of the Strong Hands and she will mend your Evil Shoulder.”

And so I sojourned into the Land of Brussels this morning, a stranger in a strange land, and  I sought  Nikki in the place where she could be found.  Soon I was flat on the table, with Nikki of the Strong Hands working warm oil into my muscles. Starting at the base of my spine and working up, all was sweet and pleasant under her professional touch until she hit my Zone of Doom.

I think she said, “Oh Veronica!” at the same moment I said, “Oh Nikki.” And no, it wasn’t the good kind of “Oh” moment. As soon as her hands hit my scapular, it felt like she was massaging sacks full of rocks. Honestly, my muscles were so cramped and unyielding, we could both hear them snapping and crackling as she rolled them under her palms. It was hurting me and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was hurting her. Truly, it sounded like boulders rolling over one another on dry grass.

Ow, ow, ow. Nikki adjusts the pressure, but I don’t’ want her to let up too much. I know it’s going to take some serious effort on her part to break up the adhesions and knots in my back, and hey, I want to teach it a lesson. After a while, it stops hurting, quits snapping, and starts to feel pliable.

She works on me for 45 minutes. When I finally get off the table and reach up to touch my shoulder muscles and back, I’m amazed they now feel spongy. A nap, some yoga, a break from the computer—that’s all I need to finish out my Wednesday.

No more “Oh!,” no more “Ow”—I’m ready to just say “Ah.”

Comments

[Bor 1977]

Poor you... thank god you have a massage therapist with a good stamina... 45 min working those rockhard muscles isn't a job everybody could pull off.
Hopefully your muscles won't predict a harsh change in the weather, I just got used to the sun ;)
But look on the bright side...with all the long weekends around the corner, you don't have to weed or do heavy work in the garden...every cloud has it's silver lining ;-)
But I wish you all the best

[Arabella]

Sounds like Nikki has some magic hands! Would she be interested in coming to New York?

[Granola-grrrl]

I started bartering with a massage therapist a few months ago. I clean Debbie's house, then she works out the knots for me before I go home. I could use the money, but I make myself barter this one (it's a shame when I have to be forced to be nice to myself). It's so very worth it. Especially her hot river stone massages.

Hands of Peace is her business name. Pretty accurate, I'd say. Myriad of blessings to folks like Nikki and Debbie!

[TB]

We are headed to the massage therapist tonight as well. Nothing can set you right faster. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, now for some time alone in the grrrl-world bathroom and a long soak :0)

[Mega Mom]

Sorry to smirk, but that story reminded me of a massage I got in Spain when we were ex-pats. She massaged my boobs...very interesting...we don't do that in my country. When in Rome...

[Lynn]

Oooh, I'm jealous! That sounds like a great massage. I had an appointment with a message therapist as a Christmas gift and it was wonderful - I am really tight across my upperback and through my shoulders and she really got it all loosened up too. I hope you wake up completely relaxed too! (Mega Mom, the breast massage sounds a little weird - I'd be so uncomfortable that I don't think it would relax me much!)

[Flubberwinkle]

You went from Argh! to Ah! in 45 minutes? Amazing. Is Nikki only for emergencies or will you be visiting her on a regular basis? Her hands sound heavenly.