The Knots Taking Over
“Natalie?”
I got up from the spa waiting room and introduced myself to the woman who would be my masseuse for the next 50 minutes. The spa in question was an oasis of citrus smells and calming sounds stuck in the middle of the suburban sprawl, a necessity for ladies who lunch, wealthy housewives, and overworked office drones with clipped coupons and stockpiled gift cards.
As I followed the masseuse through the obscenely serene spa, she chatted with me.
“So when was the last time you had a massage?” she asked, as if she were a doctor inquiring about my last menstrual cycle.
“Um, I think it was about a year ago? Maybe more?”
Her eyes bulged. “A year? Girl, you shouldn’t wait that long.”
“Yeah, I know.” I did know. The aching in my back had turned 8 hours of sitting at a desk five days a week into an exercise in agony when I finally booked the appointment. When I actually winced like an elderly woman as I got up from my office chair, I knew it was time. I had a gift card left over from my birthday, but I generally like to put off massages until I am in excruciating pain.
She led me to the room and in we went, suddenly enveloped in a haze of lavender essential oil and a womb-like coziness. I wanted to melt in a puddle on the floor and just be there, forever.
“Okay, I’m going to leave the room for a minute while you get ready. I’ll knock on the door before I come back in.”
The masseuse left the room, while I stripped off the robe to the sounds of gently tinkling piano. Crawling under the covers, I made it in just in time for her to rap on the door.
Needless to say, she had her work cut out for her. My back was as knotted as one of the Ents from The Lord of the Rings.
She kneaded and pulled and smoothed, running over my back like a luxury car over an unpaved road…filled with potholes…and land mines…and random blitzkrieg attacks.
At one point during the process, tears come to my eyes, it felt that good. In that moment, I promised myself not to wait so long next time.
See, it’s not that I’m a masochist. Getting a massage just seems like such a self-indulgent luxury. I can imagine my hard-working great-grandparents rolling over in their graves as I spend money to relax for an hour.
Then I tell them to get over it. They don’t have Ents wreaking havoc in their thoracic region.
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36 Comments
IASoupMama
Oh, now I totally want a massage… Glad you treated yourself!
Natalie the Singingfool
Haha, the desire for a massage spreads like yawning. 🙂
Chris Plumb
I wonder what an Ents attack is called. Whatever the opposite of a blitzkrieg is. Maybe, an Italian attack? (slow, obvious, and methodical).
Anyway, I need a message…but having kids, I just let them walk on my back. Not quite good…but somewhat effective.
Way to take care of yourself. Have you decided on the blog convention yet?
Natalie the Singingfool
An Ent-tack? And I’m laughing at the Italian attack – gotta save that one for the husband!
Yes, I’m going to go. I need to buy a ticket today, actually. Thanks for reminding me!
Stacie
You should totally treat yourself more often! I loved the descriptions – now I want a massage!
Natalie the Singingfool
I really should…:)
Vanessa
I keep wondering why I’ve never treated myself to a massage – especially when I have a family friend who is a professional masseuse.
Natalie the Singingfool
YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DO IT. 🙂
Marcy
I haven’t had one in so long either. I used to be pretty much unable to look to the right, my neck would get so tight on that side. I’m less stressed now, but I am sure I would love one.
Natalie the Singingfool
It can sure make a difference!
Dawn @ The Momma Knows
Ohhh it’s been SO long since I had a massage! I’m a CNA in a nursing home, and I have a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder region and I KNOW I need a massage. I’ve known it for months. So maybe I’ll see about that this week. Why do we DO this to ourselves?
Natalie the Singingfool
Middle-class guilt? That’s the only thing I can think of.
Robbie
In theory I want a massage but i’m not a fan of strangers touching me. i can only manage a pedicure every 6 months or so because ..touching. You do make it sound very appealing and i hope you don’t wait as long next time
that cynking feeling
I’m with Robbie. I don’t like being touched by strangers. I know that a pedicure would probably be great for my feet, but I get a bit queasy thinking of someone else touching my toes. A massage? Forget it.
Natalie the Singingfool
I actually give myself pedicures because I’m too ticklish to have someone else do them. Oh, and to save money. 😉
Natalie the Singingfool
I’ve known people who feel the same way. Theoretically it’s a good idea…:)
icescreammama
that sounds heavenly. the lat massage i got, i got a beating as well. but i won’t give up. i’ll be back to be rubbed down, cause it’s so good. i’m making an appointment. you sold me. 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
Yay! Spreading the goodness around…:)
Ericamos
I’ve only ever had a massage once…after I ran a marathon. While that was the perfect time to indulge, and I loved every bit of it, I really want to go for a de-stresser massage, so that’s what I’m going to spend the rest of my gift card on. 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
Oh, it’s so worth it! You’ll feel so much better. And it will be one hour in which you can’t think of wedding stuff!
ann bennett
A little more business for the mausseuse. I consider it maintenance even though I have not had a massage in a year. Makes me want to set an appointment. However, I will delay and delay and delay.
Natalie the Singingfool
I should consider it maintenance, especially with the kind of job I have. But for some reason, I still feel guilty…
Jamie@SouthMainMuse
” I generally like to put off massages until I am in excruciating pain.” Too funny. I think I have a massage gift certificate sitting on my shelf too. But if we could only have one once a month. I think getting rid of that tension is one of the most medicinal things we can do for our bodies.
Natalie the Singingfool
I know! It’s just preventative care so I don’t wind up with a serious injury, popping pain pills.
Michelle Longo
Every time I get a massage I swear I’ll get them more often. Then I don’t. I’m so with you on this! Although, it would be better if we took the time for what we needed more often, wouldn’t it? Hope your back is feeling better!
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! I think I need another one, I waited too long…lol. I swear, this time I won’t make myself suffer so much!
Betty
I’m long overdue myself for a massage and I think you just shoved me over the relaxed edge to call tomorrow for an appointment.
Natalie the Singingfool
! 🙂
mediumSuccess
I really love your post. It’s just how we are, we end up avoiding pampering ourselves (not so much of pampering but an actual need, in your case) thinking, sometimes being guilty for the indulgence. But you went ahead and did it, and I can even imagine how much you must be in discomfort, that you teared up when you were finally relieved of it. Great post.:)
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! I SHOULD see it as a need – I don’t know why I don’t!
Kirsten Oliphant
The Ent back–yes! I am like this with the chiropractor during pregnancy. I wait til I almost can’t walk, then stumble in and beg to be fixed. It usually works…for a few days. Things may have changed since our grandparents’ heyday, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great thing! Glad you were able to enjoy and get de-knotted.
Natalie the Singingfool
I know! The world is a different place, and we have different aches and pains – I should get out from the shadow of my ancestors.
winopants
I love the comparison to the ents! This post itself was very relaxing, if that makes any sense.
I’m a weirdo. I have a gift card for a massage that’s been sitting in my drawer for two years. You’ve inspired me to finally go!
Natalie the Singingfool
DO IT. It’s better than almost anything.
Punky Coletta
Sounds wonderful! Love the comparison to the unpaved road. Now I need a massage!
Natalie the Singingfool
There’s no other way to describe it, other than “Ent-like” and “unpaved road.” 🙂