Yesterday morning I had possibly the best idea of my entire life, or at least of this week. I decided to get a massage.
It's been about a year, I think, since I had a professional massage. The last one I can remember was when Dave and I went to Winchester. As you know I've been a bit stressed lately, and I've been feeling very knotty -- there's one particular place in the center-left of my back that always seems to hurt. I call it "my spot." I'll say to Dave, "Will you rub my spot?" It may sound like a come-on, but he knows I just mean my back hurts.
So I called up a Thai massage place on our high street, and got an appointment for that very evening. I'd never been there before and I'm not sure why. I guess I've usually tried to find places that do more traditional, Swedish massages as opposed to Thai massage, but at this point I was ready for anything.
It was FABULOUS. My therapist, whose name was Mei-Ya, put me on a wide massage table and pretty soon she was climbing on my back and flexing my limbs this way and that. She seemed appalled at the condition of my back muscles, which felt like a washboard -- I know I'm supposed to have washboard abs, but not a washboard back! "Where have you BEEN?" she kept asking, as if she couldn't understand how I'd gotten into such a state -- or maybe why I hadn't made an appointment before now.
I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt from time to time, but as Mei-Ya said, "No pain, no game."
Anyway, I need to do this more often. I do feel much better this morning. A bit achey, which is to be expected, but looser overall.
Part of why I was sore might be that I've started more inventory at work. Having completed our library inventory -- in which we scan every book to check on what's missing -- I've now started the same process in the Lower School library.
Yesterday I was scanning picture books, and I was so happy to see that we have "Swimmy," which is possibly my favorite childhood book. I've written about "Swimmy" before. It's all about individuality and finding your place in the world, a message that resonated with me when I was little. (And probably resonates with most kids.) I'm glad it's enough of a classic that kids still read it.
Anyway, I'll be back on that task this morning, so hopefully I won't re-kink my back. But if I do, I know where to find Mei-Ya!
(Top photo: Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, on my walk to work yesterday morning.)
Does "Swimmy" have a happy ending?
ReplyDeleteI’ve never heard of Swimmy and I’ve never had a professional massage. But I always say, no pain, no game!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'd be giggling the whole time I was getting a massage.
ReplyDeleteOr yelling OUCH!
Funny story, I have a spot on MY back that itches every so often and when we're in bed, I'll say to Carlos, "Scratch my spot!"
And the innuendoes begin!
No pain no game. Ha! Maybe that's why I don't like games very much.
ReplyDeleteYou should treat yourself to massages regularly. Maybe not every week, but every few weeks. No one wants a washboard back.
The librarian repetitive stress situation. Nowadays I hear complaints from librarian friends about computer neck, from so much work at desktops with chairs not designed for purpose and desks the wrong height. Computers just plunked on the current desks or tables, not designed for them. As a patron, I complain about chairs which make me do hip stretches to recover! But enough about me, I'm glad you've found a good masseuse.
ReplyDeleteSwimmy! That little book resonates with me still. That was one of the best things about working with the 'smalls'...their books! Pete the Cat and his Five Groovy Buttons and Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes. The kids always got to pick the five books we were going to read, and every day, we read Pete the Cat! They knew the stories so well that they would repeat 'their' parts in unison.
ReplyDeleteI think on last year's season of Amazing Race, the couples had to get a Thai massage and as portrayed by reality television camera crew, it looked pretty painful to me.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a massage nor have I felt I needed one. I would be okay if that continues until I never need one.
The Thai massage seems to work well for you. No more washboard back sounds like great relief. Mei-Ya should be added to your monthly or bi-monthly schedule. I've had massage but not Thai.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a massage. I glad your massage helped, tho. I bet it was all of that bending for inventory that made your back tighten up. It will be over soon and you'll will have summer to relax!
ReplyDeletemy mother had a standing appointment once a week for a massage when I was growing up. I think it was once a week. been a long time. anyway the masseuse would come to the house and work on her on the bed. This was back in the 60s. my sister treated herself to a massage once a month. I think I've had 4 in my lifetime. they are nice. I should get one more often.
ReplyDeleteare those scooters and bikes community scooters and bikes? I don't see any kind of security to keep someone from just walking off with one, or riding as the case may be.
I usually get a massage once a month and don't know how I'd cope without it. All of my muscles are tight, all the time, it's where I hold my stress, especially in my neck and shoulders. I would highly recommend everyone to have regular massages. I'm glad it helped you. Keep going:)
ReplyDeleteI've only had one massage and I'm sad to say it hurt more than helped. The IDEA of it always sounds so appealing. I have some health issues that don't play well with touch, but maybe I can try again someday.
ReplyDeleteSwimmy sounds very cute. I'm checking to see if my youngest grandchild already has it in his personal library (which is HUGE, plus he loves going to the "real" library, too) He's about to turn five and it might be too young for him.
Hmmmm...I go to the chiropractor once a month but I hadn't thought of a massage. I might have to give that a try. I haven't had a massage in many years. I think the last time might have been a spa day in San Francisco about 18 years ago. Yikes! Has it been that long?
ReplyDeleteBe careful with all the bending!
I'm glad you got a massage! Reya would be proud of you :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure many people in this world would feel much better with a regular massage.
ReplyDeleteDid she walk on your back? I worked with a sports director and former semi-pro baseball pitcher whose back would lock up on him from time to time. Once he asked me to walk on it. Horrified, I refused, but a younger (and much lighter weight) film editor said he'd do it and he did as the other guy lay on the floor of the newsroom. (Another thing I never would have done!) The big guy thanked him and said it felt much better. Yeow!
ReplyDeleteI suppose 'No pain, no game' works as well as 'no pain, no gain'. I'm pleased your massage went well, with a good result.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that it helped. I love massages but not the therapeutic ones which hurt like hell. I'm more into the relaxation ones. It sounds like you needed your back knot unkinked though.
ReplyDeleteI'll stick with hot water bottles to relieve my back, they do a good enough job.
ReplyDeleteI'll see if I can find a copy of Swimmy, the twins might like it when they get a bit older.
Leo Lionni. I love his work. Everything about his books resonates!
ReplyDeleteYou remind me it has been close to a year since I had a massage, too. And since my back has been rather awful of late, it is probably time to schedule one, at least before I head to the lake for the summer.
YP: Of course!
ReplyDeleteMitchell: It's a good saying! I might start using it myself.
Bob: It's nice to have a partner, isn't it? LOL
Ms Moon: I agree. I should start going monthly, maybe.
Boud: My computer is one of those computers, plunked down on a pre-computer-era desk!
Debby: I do not know "Pete the Cat"! Maybe that was after my time!
Ed: Mine wasn't painful, but maybe my therapist went easy on me!
Susan: It's not HUGELY different except for the stretching, and the fact that the therapist gets on the table as well.
Ellen D: Oh, Lord, I'm looking forward to that!
Ellen: A massage back in the '60s must have seemed very luxurious. Not a lot of people were getting them then, I think. Yes, those are publicly available scooters and bikes.
Pixie: I think I'm going to do it!
Kelly: I think "Swimmy" would be fine for a five-year-old.
Sharon: And I've never been to a chiropractor! My issues aren't really spine- or bone-related, though.
Bug: I used to get them all the time when I lived in NY and NJ. I don't know why I stopped when we came overseas.
Red: Maybe the world would be a kinder place if we all got them regularly?
Catalyst: She did climb on my back, which always freaks me out a little bit, but she didn't STAND on it. Remember how George Jefferson used to walk on Mr. Bentley's back on "The Jeffersons"?
Andrew: And it's a more fun expression!
Margaret: I don't mind a little pain, as long as it's of the "hurts so good" variety.
River: Yeah, watch for it! The artwork is really terrific. Kids love looking for little black Swimmy amid all the other red minnows. It's a bit like "Where's Waldo?" (But not that hard.)
Found and ordered a copy at ebay.
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