Under Pressure

I snuck away from my desk for an hour this a.m. to see my massage therapist. I went on a whim to see him for the first time maybe six months ago because I had an afternoon free and he had a cancellation. Nothing wrong, per se, just stressed and in need of a massage. I've been back a few more times for the same pseudo-reason. More indulgence than medical. Or more mentally restorative than physically therapeutic.

Today, different story. I've had what I thought was a pinched nerve in my upper back. I've also been unable to breathe for a few weeks due to my "chest pains" which I attributed to stress. Apparently, they're both related with one compensating for the other. The primary back/shoulder issue is what he called "anterior scapular rotation." (Or something like that!)

So instead of a full massage, he focused on applying pressure to specific areas affecting my range of motion and ability to breathe. All upper body: chest, ribs, neck, shoulder blades, upper back. Long, burning pressure combined with slow arm movement until the fire subsided. New area, one cm away, repeat. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I'm probably going to be pretty darned sore tonight but I'll tell you one thing: I can already take a deep breath. Cannot wait to be back to "normal." There's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Something for the Girl with Everything

Yea! Today is my 43rd birthday. And it's a Saturday and I don't have to work. In fact, with the exception of one half-day meeting, some prep time and some catch-up work, I have off until January 2. Whoo hoo.

I plan to sink into the couch for days in my pajamas eating bushels of Fritos and drinking egg nog (with alcohol). And I also hope to finally take advantage of the gift cards I got a year ago for an enzyme facial at one local yoga studio, breathe, and a massage from another fabulous little studio, Blue Lotus.

I also won a $500 gift certificate last spring from our local Ethan Allen that I cannot wait to use. Not sure it will buy anything outright but it could put a little dent on this!


Everything is going my way. Happy Birthday to me!

Massage Abduction

In two separate incidents this week, local teenagers called 911 after a stranger approached them. Details are sketchy; however, in one situation, a man in a pickup truck stopped to ask a group of girls to help him find his lost dog. Thankfully, they were old and/or wise enough not to fall for such an obvious ploy. Sadly, I worry about the outcome if the same scenario played out with our little guys. We’ve practiced with them what to say and do in a variety of situations but in reality, when push comes to shove, what would happen? It’s so disturbing that I can’t even think about it.

In so much as it’s not a laughing matter, my girlfriend mused that the end result would be worse if someone asked her, “Want a free massage?” She joked, “My clothes would be off in two seconds.”