Feisty Repartee

anything to escape this? i don't know. i'm very fond of massage myself, though i've never had a professional work on me, per se.

It sounds heavenly. You will have to let us know how it goes. I've never had one but it's been something that I've wanted to try.

Yes, I'd like to know how "it was for you" as well. The Lad bought me a gift certificate for a hot-rock massage for Valentine's Day, and I've yet to redeem it.

I love massage! I had a hard time with letting a stranger massage me as well, but as it is all business, and as it feels so wonderful, I relent, every chance I get!

Oh lord, girl, you are gonna LOVE the hot stone massage! It is like dying and going to heaven,,,well, almost I think. Kevin and I both have a massage at least once a month, sometimes more. Relax and enjoy!

Oooo...sounds wonderful. I've always wanted a professional massage. In fact, I've actually kicked around the idea of going to school for it. And, I still might do it.

My chiro always encourages me to get one but I am also very ticklish. It's very hard to relax during my adjustments when I am constantly jumping and giggling. Luckily, my chiro is a doll. I love him to death.

Pay close attention to anyone who is named after a "small" plant.

Oooooh :) That sounds great. Emjoy it while you can get it.

I haven't had a deep tissue, full body massage in five years, and I miss it.

You'll love it..and you'll be sooooo relaxed after you're done.

You are going to enjoy it... and I say that as someone who received an hour-long deep tissue massage earlier today (and who has been wondering why I go so long between massages). Man, am I relaxed!

Paying for a massage is better than trading for one because you can lie back and truly enjoy it without worrying about how you need to reciprocate... and a good masseuse is a heck of a lot better at it than most S.O.'s. I also like the detachment a professional has... you don't have to worry about offending them if the pressure is too hard (or not hard enough), etc., and as long as you're paying they're massaging.

Enjoy yourself, and enjoy pampering yourself. If we're not worth it, who is?

You were thinking clearly :-). I also suggest that you check out accupuncture. My carpal tunnel was helped by accupuncture and I have heard good things in terms of migraines. Do give it a try! The needles are so thin there really isn't more than a pinch of pain, and the results can be amazing.

You were thinking what heaven it would be if that dull ache in your head just filtered away without turning into a mind numbing brain liquidization.

You'll enjoy it and you'll probably become hooked...plus if the guy working on you is a 6' swedish chap named Sven with abs like a wash board he probably isn't gonna tickle you unless you ask ;)

Am I thinking out-loud? Man--this describes me exactly: extremely ticklish and yet I too carry the stress in my neck and shoulders!

In any case, I do hope you rid yourself of that migraine in order to enjoy a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

We're leaving today for a friend's wedding on Cape Cod and are going to make a bit of a vacation out of it (visiting Nantucket, etc.).

You're in my thoughts and prayers as always!

*he leaves singing this light-hearted but naughty tune from Shakespeare's _The Winter's Tale_ (from which the phrase "Unconsidered Trifles" comes):

When daffodils begin to peer,
With heigh! the doxy over the dale,
Why, then comes in the sweet o' the year;
For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale.
The white sheet bleaching on the hedge,
With heigh! the sweet birds, O, how they sing!
Doth set my pugging tooth on edge;
For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.
The lark, that tirra-lyra chants,
With heigh! with heigh! the thrush and the jay,
Are summer songs for me and my aunts,
While we lie tumbling in the hay.

;)

(shudder) The thought of receiving a massage makes me tense up. I can not stand having people touch me. Let alone have them rub their hands over my body.

I don't even let my wife give me a massage or back rub. I'd rather suffer the pain.

Christina,

I know exactly where you are coming from on the ticklish/uncomfortable front. I don't like strangers to touch me. l

However, I have had many good massages and I highly recommend them. Here is what I had to do to let go of the anxiety: plan a whole spa day. I can't go in and just get a massage. It is too much like going to see the gyno and placing your feet in the stirrups. So, I never get a massage but what I don't get a pedicure first. An hour-long pedicure relaxes me, all of that soft music and the noise of the water jets...so that when it is time to get naked I have no qualms.

The other side of the issue is the masseuse. I have had many good ones and only one bad one. What distinguished the two groups? AGE.

The best massages I've had were from women who were all at least 20 years my senior. The one that I had by a woman of my generation was not relaxing, seemed rushed, and generally was a waste of time. I'm not saying it was definitely age that did it, but I can't rule it out either.

I would urge you to go in with an open mind. Any masseuse worth a damn will tell you to tell them if you want more pressure, less, or to concentrate in a different area. And, if your masseuse knows any reflexology, you may request that they look to your feet as well to help release you from your migraine.

Last word of caution: if you find a good masseuse - under no circumstances should you lose her number. The last thing you want to do after gaining a degree of comfort with a stranger is break someone new in. I just went through this when my favorite masseuse left. I'm still hunting her down.

If massage doesn't work, and you're still intent on finding some relief, you might give Network Chiropractic a shot. Network does not involve bone cracking. All they do is lightly touch in key places. Some practitioners work better than others. The few times I found a good one, I had dramatic results.

http://www.associationfornetworkcare.com/

Relax, enjoy. Unless you have recurring dreams about the pool boy it shouldn't be a problem. These folks are professionals. Get rid of the damn headache, your girls will probably appreciate it, eh? Tell us how it went. - ds

I'll second Mark's bit about the Chiropractor; I haven’t been to a network chiropractor though. I’m with you on the inability to relax while somebody is touching me, hell I tense up if somebody gets to close. I dealt with Migraines for several years, especially while in grad school and it wasn’t until I went to a chiropractor that they’ve been taken care of. The amazing bit is even the allergy induced migraines from perfumes and colognes are gone. Yes I realize I sound like an advertisement, sorry.

Just make sure you check out the chiropractors credentials. I asked my general physician for a referral.