Tomorrow I am seeing a person who I have known about for some time. She is a qualified personal trainer and masseur and she is the daughter of my friends who own our local butcher’s shop. I don’t quite know why I am so terrified but it is probably due to the fact that I don’t particularly like taking my clothes off and I am really hoping not to have to do that ….
https://www.facebook.com/Absolutebodyworksaustralia?pnref=story
Today I finally got the courage to go to Karissa’s place for a massage and it was fantastic to meet this wonderful young woman, and to have everything explained so clearly before and during the massage. Karissa has this way of making even a somewhat tactile-defensive person like me be okay with taking most of my clothes off, drape myself with towels and lie face down on the massage bench. Karissa left the room while I prepared myself and then she knocked on the door before re-entering the room. I was nervous and feeling naked but then all of that nervous nakedness succumbed to her respectful covering of my lower body with towels and then the massage itself. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the massage (having only had a couple of these in my life) so I was a bit shocked when Karissa found these painfully ticklish points in my back, neck and shoulders. After the session, I had to go to work at the nursing home and I felt quite giddy with both the effects of the massage AND the discovery of this amazing practitioner.
Thank you, Karissa, for eradicating the terror!
jmgoyder 
Glad to hear you are looking after yourself.
I’ve made another appointment for next week!
You echo my thoughts re massage. I don’t know anyone who does it personally… I want one so badly as it seems every muscle in my body is aching, but to go cold turkey to a stranger.. (never to a male one) but even a female one, is so hard for me to imagine. At my age you’d think every part of my body has been touched by a doctor at one time or another.. I’d be oblivious to it… but not so. I guess I should ask anyone that I know if they have been to anyone.. and get a referral… Diane
If you were over here I would take you to Karissa myself!
Like you lovely Julie, I am risk adverse in the ‘taking my clothes off and lying naked on a table’ department! Like you though, I choose to for the benefit of the wonders of a massage. I have an amazing practitioner who literally unties every knot in my body. HEavenly!
Yes I am so glad I did it! Another apptmt next week.
I don’t like the idea either Julie. I have never had a professional massage. ā¤
Diana xo
I dare you!
Not gonna happen!
Sounds wonderful. I’ve never had one and am still of the mind I never will. But, I’m glad you dove in and did it. It sounds like just what the doctor ordered! xo
Do it! You don’t have to take your undies off.
hahaha…well, that helps a LITTLE. š
As I have said before, you are a very brave person. Massage can be wonderful so I hope this works for you.
I am now a fan!
Wow, Julie – between decluttering and massages you are off to some great New Year’s resolutions to make 2015 better and better. Like you, I was feeling the need for overcoming the absence of touch in my life and I should get a massage for myself again soon. I’m so glad your massage was a good one and that it lifted your spirits. Bravo! I guess it’s just something we “knead” to do from time to time!
It was definitely a knead!
I have many friends who think massage is a perfectly natural therapy, mainly because it is used extensively with athletes and trainers. I’ve never had one, though. I have been reluctant to be touched so thoroughly by a stranger. Removing clothes not that exciting either. Thanks for leading the way! Maybe I need to re-think it all!
I highly recommend it now!
I love massages – especially aromatherapy massages! Glad you went.
Me too!
I understand that completely!
Ha!
I am so glad you enjoyed it and it made you feel better. I know I could not do it. I hate my back being rubbed in any way. Weird huh! Have a great weekend. Did Ants get his energy back from the car ride on his birthday?
Yes, well sort of!
I have only ever had one massage in my life (it was a gift from someone) and I did not particularly like it. It was a busy time in my life and I just kept thinking about all the other things I could / should be doing. I am glad that the massage worked for you.
Yes, I was also thinking too much and Karissa kept reminding me to breathe!
I am glad that you gave yourself a treat.
It was weird but good.
Being trained and qualified in Aromatherapy and soft tissue massage in the early 1990s I can assure you that you’re not the only one who feels uncomfortable stripping and the thought of a complete stranger touching all those otherwise private spaces on your body.
But I can assure you and anyone else reading this, that a properly qualified masseuse is taught to be respectful of you and your body. We are taught to ensure most of your torso and limbs are covered while each section of your body is being massaged and treated. It’s probably no different than going to the doctors and wearing a gown or sheet while the medical practitioner examines you.
A properly qualified practitioner will also ask questions about your physical and emotional well-being BEFORE the session begins (as well as allergies or any particular sensitive body parts).
Having said that, I don’t feel that comfortable with being massaged myself, having Fibromyalgia and being supersensitive to pressure and/or pain in certain ‘tender’ points on my body. I also can’t lie flat comfortably since my lumbar back surgery some years ago.
But I used to love giving massages as I find it very relaxing and therapeutic ‘giving’ healing to another person. Shame I had to give it up.
If you’re not sure about full body massages, have a hand or foot massage instead – they’re wonderful. When I was in hospital for 5 days early last year, a young Thai (?) lady came into my room and did a foot massage when I affirmed I would like one. I assume the main hospital near me employs appropriately qualified people to offer these massages to calm and relax patients – what a major breakthrough in patient treatment and healing. I daresay many people might not be open to this when in hospital and probably didn’t take up her offer of a free massage.
Thanks for the insights, Vicki. I don’t know much about the whole massage thing and it’s really interesting to learn. Coincidentally the nursing home has recently employed an OT who specialises in massage!
I am so happy that you had a wonderful experience with the massage. Next time you will enjoy it even more! Hugs Jules š
Yep – next Friday!
Good for you!!!!! Hugs š
A good massage is wonderful I also am not found of being naked in front of people
I didn’t have to take my undies off thank God!
You inspire me.
Have you had one?
No! The same hang ups!
I’ve had hand and foot. But not full body.
I love full-body massages but haven’t been able to afford one for a while. My biggest fear is having my backside massaged and letting go of a big fart.
LOL!
Massages are great. Bet you felt great afterwards.
I work for a large company which gives free health checks so I always get one done. Last time I got one I said I had a stiff neck so the nurse arranged an hourly massage with Gail from the gym.
It was great and got rid of the knots in my shoulder muscles.
I am having another one today!
I think i will need one tomorrow after I stay up to watch the Cricket World Cup matches which start at 22.00.
The Australia v England match starts at 03.30 so I probably wont get to bed until noon tomorrow.
Hope the Scotland team do well.