Okay, I’m not a doctor, but I have 28 years of anecdotal experience you might want to know about from having monthly massages by a consistent person. The very first time I was Introduced to the idea of a personal massage therapist was when my friend Yolie came to my house and sat down at my kitchen room table. I was in my mid-20s, a single parent with a young child, and was stressed out about 25 hours of the day. I was unhappy in my job and yet was there all the time. I wanted to have more time with my son. On that day Yolie sat at my table, I noticed her hair smelled flowery and asked her where she’d been. She said she had just gotten a massage. A massage? Tell me more.
She said, “Oh it’s wonderful you should get one” and probably offered to pay for it because that’s how she is and I was poor. That was my first introduction to bodywork and I fell in love. From that time until now I have consistently had a monthly personal masseuse regardless of how tight money is. My dedication to that came as I saw my immune system strengthen. My husband is now exactly the same as he’s learned the value of having someone who knows all the particulars of his muscular and fascia systems, and how bodywork lowers stress which causes havoc in our systems.
As a result of this dedication, we are very healthy, and our immune systems are extremely resilient. My hope is that you strongly consider finding a regular bodyworker to build your own immunity and help keep your energy systems at their best. This is just as important as your dental checkups, physicals, hair appointments and all the other personal hygiene routines you put in place.
As if strong immunity wasn’t enough reason, which right now in Covid Season is a lifesaver, something happened last week that made me think I must share with you the way Yolie shared with me that day at my table when I was stressed out. The story goes like this.
We were getting ready to go on a 21-day 6 region wine/spa tour. (For our fiery escape, on Day 2 refer to my Tasting Life blog.) I had just been to Carrie, my regular bodyworker, the day before as I have been having an issue with a “trigger finger” from too much Covid tweeting and other cell phone usage. Sad, I know. She texted me and said, “I had an epiphany last night when I was doing some fascia work on my hands and if there’s any way you can get in before you leave, I want you to come in no-charge and let me see if I can get you some relief on that thumb.”
“Be right there” was my obvious answer.
Carrie worked on all the muscle and fascia systems connected to my thumb (shoulder, neck, forearm on both sides are involved). It’s slow and focused work, peeling one layer away at a time. When she finished, she gave me these tools to use to strengthen it along the way. The difference in my thumb was incredible and has allowed me to continue to type along the way with relatively little pain. (For more on the trigger finger saga, go here.)
That is an affiliate link I actually just went and got for your convenience because these have really helped me and their very inexpensive. The number of times bodywork can prevent surgery is not an official statistic I know, but in my own life, I’ve seen an amazing difference just like the story I just described. The traditional Western medical system rarely suggests I first try this route, but because of my own training and many years on the receiving end, I’ve learned to always try this first. In fact, Carrie has several other clients who have hand surgeries that haven’t fixed their problems so it’s worth a try.
Trying to accomplish at the spa (or with sporadic masseuses) this more specialized work is nearly impossible because the therapists are not familiar with your body’s intricacies and the relationship is different. In fact, having your own masseuse makes spa time so much more enjoyable and relaxing because your body knows just what to do when it gets on the table. Additionally, if things are not what you hoped in the spa setting, it’s not as disappointing because you know you always have your regular bodywork to fall back on.
Additionally, this type of tailored specific work takes someone who knows what they’re doing so they do not cause more problems. There’s a trust factor built through a regular relationship just as in any relationship that requires an investment of time and energy. Carrie does the work she does because body work prevented her from having carpal tunnel surgery 15 years ago. Even though she has been our personal therapist since 2008, I consistently learn about more of her skills as issues come up and we discuss them.
First step, then, find a therapist and build a relationship. Second step: ask them why they do what they do, and what their specialties are. Third step is to think to ask them first when you have an injury and find a Western doctor that believes in complementary medicine like bodywork.
Covid-19 has taught us so much. It’s taught us how connected we all are. What each of us does effects the whole. It is our personal responsibility to keep ourselves as healthy as we possibly can which allows us to help others be as healthy as they possibly can. Where we can bring light, a current chaos begs we bring it starting with ourselves. Regular bodywork is a pathway to that end, and honestly, your personal superpower.
