get a massage

It was a good massage. Maybe not as in-depth as it could have been, but quite relaxing (I could definitely take a nap right now, if only I could afford to). I made an appointment for next month, too!

I’m psyched! :) I’ll be sure to check in and let you know how it was.

Not for this Saturday, but the following one. I’m excited!

...I cancelled my appointment. I was all set to go, but then the cat we were taking care of got sick, my roommate took it to the vet, and I just could not imagine laying on the table and wondering and wondering whether the cat was alive or dead. It was just not good timing, and if I had gone in, I probably would have cried the entire time.

Anyhow, they are on break until January. :( But I’ll make another appointment when I get back from break (which probably won’t be until mid-Jan. sometime, as I’ll be home and visiting other family members for awhile).

I made an appointment for 5 p.m. this Friday at Onondaga’s School of Massage student clinic. It will be an hour-long session.

I went with the student clinic a) because of cost and b) something about the fact that it’s a student makes me less nervous. I just know that they are learning – I’m proud to be a part of their learning experience.

I’m doing this mainly because, while I’ve been feeling less and less lonely emotionally lately, I still feel intensely PHYSICALLY lonely. Touch is essential to sanity, I think, and I haven’t had any of any kind in such a long time – not since I was last home a few months ago. I’m not a “huggy” person.

Plus, it will be nice just to get the kinks worked out of my shoulders and such.

...I was just running around frantically trying to get everything finished before I left. Not an ideal situation – I was not able to take the time out for myself. Thankfully, the kinks worked themselves out eventually.

During my first travel stop, I visited a friend in Kansas who is in the process of getting her massage certification. I talked with her about the process, and I am more eager than ever to cross this goal off my list! For some reason the idea of the therapist themself kind of scares/intimidates me (I don’t know WHY), but not anymore, after seeing her massage table and talking about it with her.

There is a massage school in Syracuse, and the students have clinical hours where you can get a massage for a much-reduced rate. You can bet that I will check this out as soon as I can.

The pressure of the last few weeks of work (plus moving, marathon studio recording sessions while I’m still with the band, and my roommate’s moodiness) are really taking their toll. My jaw is tight (not the usual for me), and my shoulders are tighter than ever (and that’s saying something).

I’m going to try to call around tomorrow (no time today) and see if I can’t get a 30 min. session somewhere this weekend. I honestly don’t care who it is, as long as they are able to pummel my muscles into some sort of greater looseness. The tension is making me uncomfortable, and compounding on itself (affecting sleep, etc.).

I got a suggestion for a good massage therapist from two good friends who go a lot. Not a woman. I don’t think I’ll start with him.

But it gave me a kick in the pants to start thinking about this goal again. I’d really like to do it, especially now that I’m actually using my muscles. :)

I haven’t done this yet. I’ve just had too much to do. I would like to be able to prepare for the massage properly and relax afterward, and right now that’s just not possible.

I was looking through the local “coupon magazine” last night, and noticed that a lot of CMTs had “first time customer” offers for $40 a pop. Kewl. I think I will just start going through these, only the women, and stop when I find a therapist I like.

Yeah. But not until after Xmas. I’m going to be doing some serious detox in January. Not some crazy liver cleanse involving lemon juice and olive oil – don’t worry. But detox meaning I’m going to be quitting a number of substances (including alcohol, television, and likely refined sugar) for at least a month. Regular massage will be just the ticket for getting the lymph flowing and helping the body’s own detoxification systems do their jobs.

I think what I’m looking for is someone who specializes in relaxation massage and also in pain/tension associated with postural imbalances. As my goal above indicates, I have poor posture and also I tend to stand sort of crooked due to many years of violin practice.

I want a female CMT as well. I don’t think a male one would make me uncomfortable, exactly; in fact, a big part of me really likes that idea, and that’s part of the problem. I have a tendency to misconstrue physical contact as sexual contact. I have enough wild and misguided fantasies without confusing myself further. Maybe after a few massages I will be able to distinguish theraputic touch from sensual touch, but I’m not ready for that yet.

I’m going to call for appointments this weekend. I was going to wait until I felt I “deserved” it (that is, until I accomplished one of my major goals on this list), but screw that, basically. I need to be nicer to myself.