Not Your Ordinary Massage – Embarrasing Lessons on Self Care

Not Your Ordinary Massage – Embarrassing Lessons on Self Care

By Sandy Trudell

Please enjoy this hilarious story by friend and guest blogger-thank you for being here too -Teresa Salhi

What better time to get a relaxing massage as you approach journey into another year of your life – with optimism and intentional self-care.

I selected a respected school of massage which offers services provided by almost-graduated healers for a fraction of the usual cost. I was greeted by Katrina, a loving presence, who led me to the room all prepared for my treatment. After nestling under the sheets for this relaxing hour, I learned quickly that this was not going to be a typical massage. She talked during my entire procedure and, while I usually prefer silence, this time it didn’t bother me.

“Most people simply want to be rubbed and not talk” Katrina shared. “That is tough for me ‘cause I am a talker and a healer.”

Katrina shared how she had been a registered nurse for 20 years, an asthetician for 15, and an officer in the service. She just retired and was now in massage school on an accelerated program. She mentioned that she traveled to a dying hospital in India with Mother Teresa and helped terminally ill patients ease into death.

I started to realize that I was in worldly hands full of wisdom. As I took off my robe and laid face down on the table, she ran her hands over my back, and suddenly blurted “YOU ARE SO DRY.” After further examination, she added, “I’m serious; you need to stop at critical care on your way home and get a saline drip.” My face was pinched uncomfortably face down in the massage holder, but I still managed a muddled reply, “are you crazy?” She assured me she wasn’t and said that in all of her work she had never felt such dry skin. I listened with all ears. I confessed to her that I have never been a very good creamer after showering. She asked when the last time I took a bath. I had to say over a year ago. She was mortified. “No wonder, “Katrina shared. “This is serious…you need to take a minimum of two baths a week loaded with Epson Salts.” Now, I can tell you that in all my life, I have never taken a bath with Epson Salt – ever. She shared how the salt opens your pores and lets new cells grow. Frankly, I never wanted to take the time to soak in the tub. Showering is efficient and uncomplicated. And since I was chubby, it was awkward getting in and out of the tub. Now it was being prescribed to me not as a luxury but as a necessity.

We talked about the need to drink half your body weight in water per day not from plastic containers but real glass. I will need a calculator to work with numbers that large, but I am determined to get water flowing through me.

We talked about comfortable shoes and how to treat your feet; I even forgave her when while rubbing my soles she slipped and said, “be sure to put extra cream on your hoofs…I mean heels.”

We shared how important it is to find those meditative moments throughout the day to bring you back to center. Katrina used every modality she learned in school and more on my treatment that day. I felt cared for and loved – finally, someone was treating me with compassion and understanding. Finally, someone got me and was willing to work with me on healing my skin and helping me restore my old healthy self.

If I had a notebook, I would have taken notes. I was willing to try anything she told me, until I turned over for the frontal massage. Her final suggestion literally snapped me back from this fantastical serenity when she casually asked. “Say, have you ever considered a breast reduction; your breasts are huge.”