Rise of "turtlebot"
I tweaked something in my left shoulder at the gym a couple of days ago. It didn't feel like hugs and kisses, but I could deal with the discomfort. This morning, I woke up and could barely move. Shooting pain extended from under my shoulder blades to the base of my neck on both sides. I spent the day at work with my head stuck out like this guy.
A co-worker referred me to a massage therapist friend specializing in myofascial treatment. I liked her very much, and the massage was a lot more low-key and informal than I was expecting. Her clinical diagnosis: "It feels like you've certainly pissed off something, but you probably haven't torn anything." She worked mostly on my neck and shoulders while we gossiped about theater. I appreciated her insights on what probably caused the right side of my neck to hurt (overcompensating to protect the left side), and really enjoyed the massage for its soothing benefits.
However, I didn't come away all-better like I'd hoped - while my range of motion is improved, I still have a bit of pain in my mid-back and looking up is still not even close to an option. I'll probably go back to her sometime if I need to, but maybe not for a myofascial release treatment.
It comes down to something that Brandon and I say to each other every so often; "Man, what I wouldn't give for a $5 massage from one of the Khao San Road masseuses." Sometimes I miss expat life very much.
A co-worker referred me to a massage therapist friend specializing in myofascial treatment. I liked her very much, and the massage was a lot more low-key and informal than I was expecting. Her clinical diagnosis: "It feels like you've certainly pissed off something, but you probably haven't torn anything." She worked mostly on my neck and shoulders while we gossiped about theater. I appreciated her insights on what probably caused the right side of my neck to hurt (overcompensating to protect the left side), and really enjoyed the massage for its soothing benefits.
However, I didn't come away all-better like I'd hoped - while my range of motion is improved, I still have a bit of pain in my mid-back and looking up is still not even close to an option. I'll probably go back to her sometime if I need to, but maybe not for a myofascial release treatment.
It comes down to something that Brandon and I say to each other every so often; "Man, what I wouldn't give for a $5 massage from one of the Khao San Road masseuses." Sometimes I miss expat life very much.