(no subject)
i went for a chiropractic/pressure point massage this morning to sort me out. i am sceptical of going to a hospital or doctor for several reasons; although they might identify the problem, they don't usually administer treatment themselves, and so after a lengthy wait and a costly examination, they pack you off to other specialists later. i don't want to be stetoscoped, i just want to be touched. that sounds dirty. never mind.
i arrived in a tiny, rather shabby little surgery. i paid my £35 and got changed into the (no-doubt-gender-related) pink pyjamas. the treatment started with some TENS (or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator), which they cranked up until my stomach started flipping and my muscles spazzed out- they soon turned it down. then they started manipulating and pressing my muscles and joints, which was enough to knock the breath out of me. the surgery was only big enough for two of us patients, divided by a curtain that was sporadically whisked open as the teacher/semi-apprentice swopped positions, notes and jokes between them. what i found hilarious about the whole experience was that the other patient was being extremely vocal- "ow ow OW OW OWWWW OW THAT HURTS ow ow ow" throughout the whole thing, while i was concentrating on exhaling heavily. i found it amusing how matter-of-fact and authoritative the staff were; they did ask me if the electricity and their hand pressure was too hard, but when it really started to hurt, the spritely old grandfather figure almost chuckled and said 'well, just do your best, eh' [this is an awkward expression of a very common japanese phrase, 'ganbatte', which is literally 'do your best/try hard', but is used in every context, including that of 'good luck' and in challenging/painful situations. it's an awkward translation because it sounded perfectly natural in japanese, whereas in english it sounds slightly harsh or strict]. then there was some proper chiropractic back and neck cracking, which produced horrendously loud clicks that made me wonder if all my limbs were properly attached. however, for some reason i dissolved into giggles, perhaps because of the relief, and perhaps because i was exhilarated to find my body still in one piece. and also because the poor patient next to me was being chided for his yowls of 'ow!' and told to PROPERLY rest. i enjoy this rather old-fashioned attitude to health, in a way; like a doctor telling you 'now don't be silly! pain is good for you!'.
luckily the diagnosis was that it wasn't spinal, but only muscular pain. apparently the muscle that stretches all the way up from my legs is particularly tight around my fourth vertabrae on my left, and it is this that's causing all the problem. my calves are also incredibly tight; i blame the bike again!
anyway. it still hurts, some points have had their pain raised to the surface, but i am starting to enjoy being sick at home. i made pumpkin green curry and chocolate oat balls and am mostly floating around the house, listening to the world service, watching films, writing and feeling quite mentally positive, with absolutely no desire to venture outside. so. sitting, waiting, plotting, stretching.
i arrived in a tiny, rather shabby little surgery. i paid my £35 and got changed into the (no-doubt-gender-related) pink pyjamas. the treatment started with some TENS (or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator), which they cranked up until my stomach started flipping and my muscles spazzed out- they soon turned it down. then they started manipulating and pressing my muscles and joints, which was enough to knock the breath out of me. the surgery was only big enough for two of us patients, divided by a curtain that was sporadically whisked open as the teacher/semi-apprentice swopped positions, notes and jokes between them. what i found hilarious about the whole experience was that the other patient was being extremely vocal- "ow ow OW OW OWWWW OW THAT HURTS ow ow ow" throughout the whole thing, while i was concentrating on exhaling heavily. i found it amusing how matter-of-fact and authoritative the staff were; they did ask me if the electricity and their hand pressure was too hard, but when it really started to hurt, the spritely old grandfather figure almost chuckled and said 'well, just do your best, eh' [this is an awkward expression of a very common japanese phrase, 'ganbatte', which is literally 'do your best/try hard', but is used in every context, including that of 'good luck' and in challenging/painful situations. it's an awkward translation because it sounded perfectly natural in japanese, whereas in english it sounds slightly harsh or strict]. then there was some proper chiropractic back and neck cracking, which produced horrendously loud clicks that made me wonder if all my limbs were properly attached. however, for some reason i dissolved into giggles, perhaps because of the relief, and perhaps because i was exhilarated to find my body still in one piece. and also because the poor patient next to me was being chided for his yowls of 'ow!' and told to PROPERLY rest. i enjoy this rather old-fashioned attitude to health, in a way; like a doctor telling you 'now don't be silly! pain is good for you!'.
luckily the diagnosis was that it wasn't spinal, but only muscular pain. apparently the muscle that stretches all the way up from my legs is particularly tight around my fourth vertabrae on my left, and it is this that's causing all the problem. my calves are also incredibly tight; i blame the bike again!
anyway. it still hurts, some points have had their pain raised to the surface, but i am starting to enjoy being sick at home. i made pumpkin green curry and chocolate oat balls and am mostly floating around the house, listening to the world service, watching films, writing and feeling quite mentally positive, with absolutely no desire to venture outside. so. sitting, waiting, plotting, stretching.