“Why do we pay for psychotherapy when massages cost half as much?” Jason Love
Aloha! Hauoli Makahiki! Happy New Year!
Here it is the end of 2008. It has been a year of pain and fatigue; not a good year. Lots of bad weather, economic crises, wars, climate change, and on a personal level stress over aged parents, not able to walk well after torn buttocks muscles (no doubt made worse by cortisone injections which are known to tear muscles), and weight gain. I cannot begin to address all of these at once, nor can I singly do much about the more political issues. Which one shall I carve out to work on in the new year?
But, 2008 has turned out well at the end for me. I am now in Maui and have just had a massage. I am so fortunate and privileged. I have not been in Canada for much of this awful winter weather. My first time in Maui and while the humidity is not good for my muscles the “hang loose” attitude is one I should try to adopt. Massages fit that approach. This one was delicious. Hot stones, an experienced massage therapist, soothing lotions all relaxed the muscles. My hyper-aroused nervous system is being sedated. A massage is both an art and a science. It is said to reduce blood pressure, often alleviates headache and back pain, helps with sleep and produces a sense of wel
l being. My massage therapist here in Maui tells the clients that Patrick Wall, the neurologist, and famous pain researcher calls a massage “Delightful”! While all of us would like to have one from a professional that certainly is an expensive process. So why not barter with a friend, a spouse, a colleague for something they would like to have from us?
What all of us with fibromyalgia need is to remember in the new year is that our pain is in the brain; it isn’t a disease but a dis-ease. We have to keep on top of the brilliant brain research being done regarding pain so that we can recognize that concoctions and medications are not the solution to fibro pain. Let us end this year with a promise to disregard all those quick solutions to ‘fix us’ when the change must come from within. We are the change we have been looking for. Ahh, easier said than done; I must practice what I preach!
Happy new year to us all!